Capsicum chinense
Origin: Kiskenfelegyhaza, Hungary
Improvement status: Cultivar
Seeds per packet: ~30
Germination tested 11/2023: 90%
Life cycle: Annual
'Black Hungarian' is an old Hungarian heirloom from the town of Kiskenfelegyhaza. It has become perhaps the most famous black hot pepper around the world. While it ripens to a vivid red, on its way to ripe it becomes such a deep purple color it's hard not to see black. The fruit is not best to eat at this stage but it is quite hot, and then when it ripens to red the heat reduces and the berry-fruit-like flavor fully emerges. While it has some heat, it is relatively mild, more along the lines of a jalapeño than a habañero. It has a wonderful sweet fruitiness, making it excellent for fresh uses, like salsa. Being from Eastern Europe, these are a relatively short season pepper, maturing in 70-80 days.
Great hot sauce choice! EFN co-founder Dusty Hinz and his hot sauce-making aficionado friend, Zach Binsfeld (Off Type hot sauce is his brand in the Twin Cities), have been experimenting with 'Black Hungarian' in their hot sauce ferments. Good heat, rich flavor.
These seeds were grown by EFN co-founder Dusty Hinz and his long-time friend Zach Binsfeld in Delano, Minnesota. Zach specifically sought out and sourced these seeds from Restoration Seeds because of his Hungarian ancestry. What he found was a unique and versatile pepper that he is excited to continue experimenting with for years to come.
GROWING TIPS: Start seeds indoors in March. After danger of frost transplant to garden with 14-18 inches between plants.
