In the paragraphs that follow there is a brief discussion on the different varieties of Capsicum: that is hot chili peppers and sweet bell peppers that can be cultivated in a herb garden. On the whole these Sweet Bell Peppers and Hot Chili Peppers can be divided into several different capsicum species, but thousands of […]
There are basically two types of chilies or chili peppers as it is also known. Chili peppers with bite and those without bite. Chili peppers are actually the fruit of the Capsicum genus, which belongs to the Solanaceae familiy; the same family as brinjals or aubergines, potatoes, and tomatoes. Peppers originated in the Americas but can be found worldwide nowadays and have been […]
Coriander or Cilantro as it is also known is no stranger to any cook. Wherever you may find yourself, if you cook, you can always find a way to make use of cilantro. Coriander in some cultures is also known as Dhania or Danya, Koljana, etc. Coriander has been used as a medicinal and culinary […]
No kitchen- or herb garden is complete without garlic – or Allium sativum. Garlic originated in East Europe and at present day herb gardeners, home gardeners and kitchen gardeners the world over cultivate garlic. Not only because of the excellent qualities imparted by garlic, it also keeps garden pests like flies at a distance and as such is […]
Growing your own herbs In an ideal world, everyone would and should be growing their own herbs to use as medicines, to cook with, and use as cosmetics, etc. Making tinctures, harvesting essential oils, making teas, decoctions, infusions will all contribute to healthy lifestyles. Illness would be a rarity. Food made from produce grown in […]
The Chili Heat Scale In 1912 a chemist by the name of William Scoville developed a way to determine the heat content of the different types of chili peppers, albeit the hot chili peppers or the sweet bell peppers. This heat content is also referred to as the pungency of the capsicum. This pungency is indicative of the amount of […]
The African Birds Eye capsicum is a monster regardless of its size. It is so small, but it packs a punch. The African Birds Eye is a hot chili pepper and tends to grow towards the sky on a bush. One little bush or rather little shrub can have as many as 500 hot chili peppers on […]
Have you always dreamt of having your own herb garden? Filled with herbs, aromatic herbs, culinary herbs, medicinal herbs, cosmetic herbs and even ornamental herbs? Well dream no further, make your herb garden a reality. It is not difficult; in fact it is quick and easy, and not half as expensive as you might have thought. Available from most nurseries, DIY stores, […]
There cannot be a gardener around that does not know Lavender. Lavender is a herb that has been with us through centuries. Lavender originally comes from Western Europe. It is a traditional cottage garden plant that sports gray-green spikes of foliage and purple flowers all year round. The dried flowers of the lavender plant have always been […]
The Baby Pepper capsicum variety is a medium hot chili pepper that rates about 4/10. This capsicum fruit resembles a little cherry that matures from a light green color to a deep red. The Baby Pepper chili is an ideal pickling hot chili pepper and great for pickling, stuffing with cream cheese, as a savory snack. The Barney […]