The Peppadew pepper, or sweet piquanté pepper, is a sweetened pickled pepper from South Africa that is popular for snacking. Learn all about it.
Scoville Heat Units: 1177 SHU
CAPSICUM BACCATUM
About the Peppadew Pepper
"Peppadew" is the brand name of piquanté peppers grown in the Limpopo province of South Africa that have been pickled and sweetened. As the story goes, a farmer discovered the tiny pepper in South Africa in the 1990s and put it on the market. He described it as “peppery” but “sweet as the dew,” hence the name. It became very popular in South Africa in the 2000s, especially as a pizza topping.
The product is actually made from the sweet piquanté pepper, or Juanita pepper. The name has been somewhat genericized, with the sweet piquanté pepper referred to more often as a “peppadew”.
The Peppadew International, a company in South Africa, trademarked the name “Peppadew®” to sell a number of food products. Though the company has a myriad of products under its belt, its highest selling product is the Peppadew pepper cultivated in South Africa. The pepper is fancied by lovers of spicy food, and the sweet piquanté pepper has never failed to thrill the taste buds.
Peppadew peppers are the perfect combination of sweet and heat.
History of Peppadew Peppers
The Peppadew pepper, a kind of Piquanté Pepper, was first seen in 1993 in South Africa. After a few years, the pepper was ushered into the market. Some believe the pepper is a crossbreed of tomato and pepper because of its resemblance to both cherry tomatoes and red peppers in size and color, but that's far from the truth.
Once this kind of Piquante Pepper was discovered, plant breeder's rights were obtained from the South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, with the aim of ensuring that the species is protected.
What Kind of Pepper is the Peppadew?
The Peppadew is actually a piquante pepper, also known as the Juanita pepper, that has been pickled. It resembles a cherry tomato, but it has no relation.
How Hot is the Peppadew Pepper?
The Peppadew pepper measures in at 1177 Scoville Heat Units on the Scoville Scale. This is roughly equal to the heat of the poblano pepper or a sweet apple pepper. Compare this to the more well-known jalapeno pepper, which averages about 5,000 Scoville Heat Units on the Scoville Scale, and this pepper is more that four times milder.
Processing Peppadew Peppers
Usually, the peppers are processed by removing the seeds and innards and reducing the pepper's heat to ensure it is palatable for consumers. After this is done, it is pickled, bottled, and shipped off to stores. The packaged peppers aren't made to be as hot as the raw peppers.
The Flavor of The Peppadew Pepper
When the Piquantè Pepper fruit is being processed, sugar is added to it to sweeten it up. This is done in the pickling process. This is why when you consume it, you may feel a hint of the sweet taste.
It is considered a sweet pepper, with just a bit of heat. It is sold commercially, either hot or mild, and may be stuffed with soft cheeses, such as cream cheese or goat cheese. It is also tasty on salads, omelets, and sandwiches.
What is a Good Substitute for Peppadew Peppers?
Pickled cherry peppers or pimentos are probably the best substitutes, though you may not get as much of that sweetness you are looking for. Consider swirling in just a touch of honey if you are using any of these as a substitute.
Where Can I Buy Peppadew Peppers?
You can sometimes find these peppers for sale at your local grocer near the pickles and pickled pepper products, but they can be hard to find. Sometimes I find them in grocery store lunch buffets, but those are for immediate consuming. I usually purchase them from Amazon to make it easier. Buy Peppadew Peppers from Amazon (affiliate link, my friends!).
NOTE: This page was updated on 1/7/20 to include new photos and information. It was originally published on 9/22/13.
Gene says
These Peppadew peppers are delicious! Please explain plastic perforated insert in the jar... I would appreciate knowing what it is used for.
Thank you.
Mike Hultquist says
Gene, the jar I had with it kept the peppers below the brine.
Ruth Rusk says
What US zones will piquante= Juanita pepper grow?
Mike Hultquist says
Any of them, Ruth.
Mary M says
I just harvested a bag full of these and it is November. I started them in May from small plants grown from seeds I bought on Amazon but it was three months before I saw any blossoms. I'm in a hot valley in northern california with a long growing season. I'm about to pickle them and am looking for an appropriate brine recipe. I buy these jarred on Amazon so I know what they are supposed to taste like.
Thanks for the information about them.
Mary says
I happened upon this while researching jam recipes for these peppers. I grow them in my garden and have saved the seeds for years. As a child I can remember these on filled with all kinds of stuff on trays for the cocktail parties my parents threw. I don't know where they got them as we did not have a garden. This was over 55 years ago. I will pick them ripe off the plant and eat them raw--saving the seeds, of course--and yes, the perfect combination of sweet and hot. I have marinated them, put them on sandwiches, in pasta, on eggs, and now jam. Might even like them in ice-cream. Can be frozen after removing stem and seeds with minimal compromise to the pepper's flesh, however, do not wash prior to freezing but wipe outside clean with dry cloth.
I have seen these plants in nurseries around planting time as well as numerous websites. I have room in my garden for 16 yet envision having a whole yard full some day. Good stuff.
Thank you for your knowledge. I will enjoy these peppers even more now.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks so much, Mary. I appreciate you sharing your experience!
Peter Rosenfels says
Hi Michael,
The history of the "Peppadew" pepper goes back much further than 1993!!!
It was grown by my neighbours in Matabeleland, Zimbabwe as far back as 1965!!
My family has been growing it (and pickling it)since the 1970's.
In Zimbabwe, we call it the African Cherry Pepper, but you are correct that "Peppadew" is a trade-marked name in South Africa.
The claim to have plant breeders rights is however questionable.
In a court-case in South Africa in around 2005, I was called as a witness to attest to the earlier history of the plant in Zimbabwe (previously Rhodesia). Another witness in that trial was Chile supremo Dave deWitt, author of countless books on chile peppers.
From my understanding, the plant breeder's right was struck down after that case.
I still make Sweet cherry peppers in Zimbabwe today, under the brand name Peter Piper's Pickled Peppers.
The potential is HUGE for export to the States, and I am looking for an investor to grow my business, and make them more readily available in your part of the world.
I hope the right person is reading this comment.
Kind regards
Peter Rosenfels
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thank you for your input, Peter! Greatly appreciated and I will certainly look more into this. Clearly the peppers have been around much longer than the 1990s, though had become more popularized by then. I'll need to reach out to Dave DeWitt. Thanks!!
Patricia M Buckley says
Please where can I buy the seeds, in Delaware (farming community) with Italian heritage and can not find them. Any suggestions please.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Patricia, please see my Chili Pepper Seeds Resources page for a place to start: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/resources/chili-seeds/. Good luck!
Craig Whitley says
Love this pepper, not for the heat but for the taste. We have about 15 plants growing in Western, NY and have just seen the flowers turn into tiny peppers. Not the best area to grow these peppers.
By the way, love the Chilipeppermadness site. What a great collection of information. Just subscribed.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Craig!
Halima says
OOOhhhh, One of my Favorite local condiments. The Pepperdew goes so nicely on Pizza as you mentioned but also you can make a tangy sweet creamy pasta sauce with them as well... OOOhhh Scrumptious. I like stuffing them with cream cheese or feta and serving just like that as a snack for guests. OOOhhh and they make a nice variation for Jalapeno Poppers....
As we say in SA. Lekker! (Yummy)
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Halima! I agree, they are so scrumptious!!
Dick Bunting says
You can get a very similar pepper called "Malawi Piquante" from Jim Duffy in the US. It really is very similar!
Vicki says
I am looking for the name of and seeds of a cherry size red sweet pepper that Private put on Pizzas made in Germany. Any help would be welcome. thanks.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Vicki, try this page - Pimento Chili Peppers.