Pepper 'Purple Bell'

PACKAGING: Sachet Zip-lock 12-15 SEEDS

1. Original Name: Purple Bell.

2. History: This variety is very rare in Europe and the USA. We bought its seeds from www.pepperseeds.eu and began looking for details as to its history on Russian-language websites. It has turned out to be a Russian variety known as Purpurnyi Kolokol (which means 'Purple Bell' in Russian) and entered on the State Register of the Russian Federation in 2008. However, we decided not to change the name of this variety for the Russian variant as we are not completely sure that www.pepperseeds.eu sells this Russian variety and not a very rare variety under the same name (Purple Bell). At any rate, this pepper is worth applause before you pick it.

3. Plant Specifications: Mid-season. Suitable for growing in a greenhouse and outdoors. Medium-size plant, growing 1.4-1.8 feet (40-50 cm) tall.

4. Training Instructions: It is recommended to tie the longest stems so that they do not break because of heavy fruits. The entire bush can bend or fall down on soft soil after heavy rains.

5. Shape and Weight: Cube-shaped and blocky fruits. The fruits can have three or four lobes. Weight: 7-10.5 oz. (200-300 g).

6. Color: The fruits are dark blue (due to anthocyanin) at the mature-green stage. They mature to red. It should be noted that all pepper fruits of blue color contain anthocyanin being a pigment with the antioxidant capacity (just like eggplants or blueberries). They are more cold tolerant. The fruits are purple, lilac, blue and inky only at the mature-green stage. These colors are present only until the fruits start maturing. The fruits usually turn red or ruby-red when fully ripe, which means that anthocyanin is transformed.

7. Flavor Profile: Sweet, juicy and crisp. The walls are very thick being about 0.2 in. (5 mm) thick.

8. Culinary Use: A good choice for fresh salads, canning, canning for winter or freezing. These peppers are so large that you will need one stuffed pepper only to feed one person.