Would you like to add some spice to your life?
Cow horn peppers are best known as Cayenne peppers, belonging to the Capsicum annuum family. This red hot chili pepper provides plenty of flavor to dishes, making it a staple in various cuisines around the world.
The name Cayenne pepper seems to be associated with a French Guianese town named Cayenne.
Cow horn peppers belong to the same nightshade family such as jalapenos, bell peppers, and pimientos. They’re an excellent source of Vitamin C and provide you with several micronutrients.
So, are you ready to add some hot spice to your life?
This blog post will act as an all-in-one guide to growing and caring for cow horn peppers.
Let’s plant away!
Growing the Cow Horn Peppers: Here’s What You Should Know
Cow horn peppers do require a warm climate to grow. These plants are found naturally in tropical and subtropical regions, so they don’t so well in the Nothern part of the United States.
Plating cow horn peppers isn’t at all complicated.
As you may know, chili peppers are mainly perennial. All you need to do is to sow the seeds directly into the soil, about 10-14 days after the last frosty night, and wait for them to grow.
Planting the Cow Horn Peppers
It’s best to plant the cow horn peppers at least 12 inches apart from each other. This also has t do a lot with the variant that you’re planting, so it’s best to look it up or ask the supplier for more information.
It’s best to plant the seeds in a spot that receives a lot of sunlight but doesn’t overheat in the afternoon. The plants need a temperature of at least 60° F (16° C) to be able to grow well.
The peppers require nutrient-rich and well-drained soil that has between 6.2 to 7.0 pH. Before planting the seeds, it’s best to amend the soil with 3-6 inches of compost for the best results.
You’ll need to constantly mulch the soil to prevent evaporation. Cow horn peppers do well with moist soil, so you’ll have to ensure that the plant has consistent access to it.
It takes about a month for the seeds to sprout. You should then plant the developing pepper sapling initially small pots and then transplant them to your garden six to 8 weeks after seed sows or after frost hazard.
If you live in a particularly cold area, it’s best to safeguard the plants with cover using warm caps, pieces of cloth, etc. at night to protect them from frost at night.
After about 70-80 days of sprouting, the cow horn peppers will be ready for harvest.
When ripe, the peppers are 2-3 inches in length and easy to remove off the plant. I’ve had some of these peppers grow up to 11 inches in my garden.
Common Issues You’ll Come Across When Planting Cow Horn Peppers
While these peppers do very well in hot climates, they do also have issues due to the heat. The plant starts dropping its flowers when the temperature peaks at noon. So, it’s best to keep it out of direct sunlight.
In addition to that, you may also need to keep an eye out for slugs, leafminers, pill bugs, and aphids.
These peppers don’t do too well in humid weather as they’re prone to fungal diseases, such as leafspot.
A Quick Note on Harvesting Cow Horn Peppers
Since cow horn peppers come in several varieties, they may be red, orange, yellow, or even green when they fully mature. So, you’ll have to go through a trial and error phase to determine when the peppers are ready.
You can harvest these peppers by only using pruning shears to cut them off the stem.
Pulling them off by hand seems fun and games until you accidentally break off the entire branch. So, it’s best to stick to using sheers or a sharp knife.
The Various Uses of Cow Horn Peppers
These peppers are stapled in various cuisines, such as India, Mexican, Cajun, Asian, etc. You can also use them in vinegar-based sauces like in Sichuan cuisine. Cow horn peppers can be used as it is or in a powdered form.
These peppers are excellent sources of:
- Vitamin B6, E and C
- Riboflavin
- Potassium,
- Manganese
The peppers are also used as herbal supplements and were referenced in Nicholas Culpeper’s work “Complete Herbal” in the 17th century.
All in All: Your Guide to Growing and Caring for Cow Horn Peppers
Did we go over everything you needed to know about growing cow horn peppers?
We hope that this blog post provided you with all the information you need on growing cow horn peppers in your own kitchen garden. Keep in mind that Cow Horn Peppers are native to tropical and sub-tropical regions and need plenty of sunlight and warm weather to thrive.
It’s best to use organic fertilizer to nourish the plant for the best results.
FAQ
Are cow horn peppers hot?
Yes, cowhorn peppers are generally considered to be hot, although their heat level can vary depending on factors such as the maturity of the pepper and the growing conditions. They are typically milder than some of the hottest peppers, like habaneros or ghost peppers, but they can still pack a significant amount of heat. If you are sensitive to spicy foods, it is recommended to use cowhorn peppers with caution or to try a small amount first to gauge their heat level.
What is the Scoville rating of a cowhorn pepper?
The Scoville rating of cowhorn peppers can vary depending on factors such as growing conditions and maturity of the pepper. But they generally tend to have a Scoville heat rating of 2,500 to 5,000. They are great if you want a milder kick of spice.
What are cowhorn peppers used for?
Cowhorn peppers are used in a variety of dishes to add flavor and heat. They are particularly popular in Southern American cuisines. They go well in sauces, stews, soups and great for seasoning
What do cowhorn peppers taste like?
Cowhorn peppers have a unique taste that is both sweet and slightly tangy, with a mild to medium level of spiciness. They are often described as having a fruity flavor, with hints of citrus and bell pepper. The flavor of cowhorn peppers can vary depending on their maturity and growing conditions, with younger peppers generally being milder and sweeter, and more mature peppers having a more pronounced spicy flavor.
