Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum 'Sweet Nariniense' - sweet pepper from Nariño
Sweet Nariniense is a pepper that deceives the eye: its small, pointed fruits in red, orange and yellow look like typical hot chilies, but are actually completely sweet and have 0 SHU. It originates from southern Colombia and belongs to Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum, the same form from which the smallest peppers of the New World originated. Below, we have gathered everything worth knowing about this variety: where it comes from, how it grows, what it tastes like and who will benefit most from it.
Origin and history of the variety
The variety's name comes from the department of Nariño, located in southern Colombia, in the Andes, right on the border with Ecuador. This region has a very long tradition of pepper cultivation - plants of the genus Capsicum were domesticated there thousands of years ago, and small-fruited forms still grow in home gardens and along field margins.
Sweet Nariniense is a traditional cultivated variety, although it is sometimes described commercially as "wild". This designation stems from its classification as Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum - a botanical form comprising wild and semi-wild small-fruited peppers known in Mexico and Central America as chiltepin or piquin. Sweet Nariniense differs from them fundamentally, however: during selection, it lost its heat and retained only sweetness and aroma. In Nariño, it is grown as a local pepper for eating fresh.
Botanical description and appearance of the plant
The plant forms a compact, densely leafy bush 60-80 cm tall. Its habit is bushy and regular, with no tendency to spread sideways, so Sweet Nariniense looks good in a pot and does not require pruning. The leaves are small, as befits the glabriusculum form, while the flowers are white, small and very numerous.
The fruits are small, pointed or slightly rounded, and gently curved. The feature that distinguishes this variety from others is its multicoloured appearance: red, orange and yellow pods are present on the same plant at the same time. The effect resembles colourful lights strung among the leaves and makes Sweet Nariniense one of the most ornamental peppers that can be placed on a balcony.
It is worth emphasizing that the different colors do not indicate different types of fruit, but rather different stages of ripeness and natural color variation within the same plant. In practice, this means that the bush looks attractive throughout the entire fruiting period, not only during the brief moment of full ripeness - a major advantage over varieties whose pods ripen uniformly.
Fruit, heat and flavor
Sweet Nariniense has a heat level of 0 SHU - the fruits contain no capsaicin. For comparison: jalapeño has approximately 5,000 SHU, habanero approximately 250,000 SHU, and Carolina Reaper approximately 1,600,000 SHU. Sweet Nariniense is at the very beginning of the scale, alongside sweet vegetable peppers, even though its appearance resembles that of the hottest small chilies.
The fruits are sweet and distinctly aromatic. Their small size means a concentrated aroma, so a few fruits are enough to give a salad character. The individual colors do not differ significantly in flavor - they are all sweet, although fully ripe red pods usually have the deepest aroma. The absence of heat means that the fruits can be eaten whole, without removing the seeds and membranes.
Growth cycle and yield
Sweet Nariniense belongs to the species Capsicum annuum, which develops faster and begins fruiting earlier than Capsicum chinense. Sources do not provide an exact number of days to harvest, but in a warm season the plant can be expected to start fruiting in midsummer and continue producing until autumn.
The fruits set in waves, and because they ripen at different rates, the bush is simultaneously green, yellow, orange and red for most of the season. They can be harvested at any stage - yellow and orange pods are already sweet and crunchy, while red ones are the most aromatic. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to set more fruit.
Growing requirements and temperature tolerance
Full sun is the primary requirement. When placed in the sunniest location, the plant grows compactly, flowers abundantly and develops fruits in intense colors. In shade, it becomes leggy and produces less. In Europe's temperate climate, Sweet Nariniense performs well in a pot on a balcony, terrace or windowsill, as well as in a greenhouse or polytunnel, where the season is longer.
Its compact growth means that a medium-sized pot and well-drained, fertile soil are sufficient. Watering should be regular but moderate - peppers do not tolerate constantly wet soil well. Supports are usually not necessary. Like all peppers, Sweet Nariniense is sensitive to cold, so in autumn it is worth moving the pot to a warm, bright room, where the plant can finish ripening its last fruits or overwinter.
Culinary and practical uses
Sweet Nariniense is a pepper for eating raw. The small, sweet pods are ideal as a snack straight from the plant, in salads, on sandwiches, on a cheese board, or as a colorful addition to dishes in which chili would be too hot. The three fruit colors allow you to create spectacular, multicolored salads from a single plant.
The fruits also tolerate grilling well: under the influence of heat, the sweetness caramelizes and the skin becomes lightly charred. Because the variety is not hot, it is suitable for children and people who avoid spicy foods, while allowing them to take part in "pepper" gardening on an equal footing with chili enthusiasts.
Sweet Nariniense also works well as a purely ornamental plant: a bush with multicolored fruits can stand on a windowsill, terrace, or by the entrance to a house like any other decorative plant, with the difference that its ornaments can be eaten. For people growing an edible garden, it is a way to combine aesthetics with a practical harvest in a small space.
Who is this variety for
Sweet Nariniense is the choice for people who want an ornamental, multicolored pepper on their balcony or windowsill and value fruits that can be eaten without restriction. It is suitable for beginners because it belongs to the undemanding species Capsicum annuum, has a compact growth habit, and does not need supports. It will also please families with children, collectors of rare varieties from South America, and anyone who wants to combine an ornamental garden with an edible one.
Summary
Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum 'Sweet Nariniense' is a traditional variety from Nariño in southern Colombia: 0 SHU, a sweet and aromatic flavor, and small pointed fruits that ripen simultaneously in red, orange, and yellow. The compact bush reaches 60-80 cm in height, needs full sun, and grows well in a pot on a balcony or in a greenhouse. An ornamental, easy-to-grow pepper for eating raw, in salads, and grilled - it looks like a chili but tastes like a sweet snack.
