Sweet Colored Greenhouse Peppers
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Peppers are easy to handle, the biggest problem Produce Clerks face is receiving poor quality. Recognizing defects will help you understand that the blame quite often…is solely on the grower’s inability to deliver you a good product.
All peppers should be harvested hard and crisp like apples. Greenhouse products usually tend to meet this criteria, however there are wide-ranging differences when we look at field-grown peppers.
Supermarkets buying strictly on price are usually purchasing second-rate quality (whether they realize or not). In this scenario, quality standards can be consistently poor for two reasons…
- Growers are not going to take extra care packing peppers at bottom prices
- They are bad growers and sell their product by undercutting the competition
The best growers like to develop their labels (e.g. Dole, Master’s Touch, Sun World, etc.) and generally good labels cost a bit more.
Colored Peppers
Many supermarkets carry greenhouse grown bell peppers because generally they are better quality. Growers have higher grading standards and questionable peppers are culled and sold as no.2 grade. Bell pepper varieties have thicker walls which translates into a much longer shelf-life compared to most field-grown varieties.
Field-Grown Sweet Red Pepper
Sweet Greenhouse Grown Red Bell Pepper
Sweet Greenhouse Grown Yellow Bell Pepper
Sweet Greenhouse Grown Orange Bell Pepper
During summer months however, it is a good idea to list field-grown varieties too. At this time of year many European shoppers purchase large volumes for grilling, canning and pickling. Regular customers turn to local Farmer’s Markets when their supermarkets do not offer a choice. Field peppers can cost substantially less (up to +100%) than greenhouse products. It is important to remain competitive during the “Locally Grown” season and shoppers love it when supermarkets support local growers. Include a realistic case price on your signage.
Popular Caselot Varieties
- Red Peppers (sweet
- Green Peppers (sweet)
- Red Sheppard Peppers (sweet)
- Red Pimento Peppers (sweet)
- Yellow Hungarian Peppers (sweet)
- Rings of Fire Chili Peppers (hot)
- Cayenne Chili Peppers (hot)
Popular Sweet Yellow Hungarian Peppers
Sweet Red Sheppard Peppers
Sweet Yellow Dove Bell Peppers
Hot Red Crimson Peppers
Hot Apple Peppers
Sweet Red Pimento Peppers
Hot Cherry Pepper
Banana Peppers
Hot Green Poblano Pepper
Sweet Cheese Pimento Pepper
Hot Green Anaheim Peppers
Other Caselot Varieties
- Yellow Apple Peppers (hot)
- Yellow Dove Peppers (sweet)
- Red Crimson Peppers (hot)
- Red Cherry Peppers (hot)
- Red Goat Horn Peppers (hot)
- Red Super Sheppard Peppers (sweet)
- Purple Peppers (sweet)
- Cheese Pimento Peppers (sweet)
Green peppers are commonly received with soft defects. Purchasers without retail experience may not realize how much product is being culled and thrown out when peppers are bought solely on price (even No.1 grade). Having them visit the store occasionally will help change that. Cull percentages can be substantial. Stick with good labels.
Field-Grown Sweet Green Pepper
Greenhouse Grown Sweet Green Pepper
Hot Peppers
Jalapeno are usually the only mover in the Produce section. Most supermarkets may not even offer any other variety besides Jalapeno. The Poblano, Serrano, Scotch Bonnet, Habanero and Anaheim varieties are also popular. This category generally loses money and culling can be excessive, but hot peppers are becoming more popular.
Green Jalapeno Pepper
Hot Red Cayenne Peppers
Rings of Fire Chile Peppers
Hot Red Goathorn Chile Peppers
Hot Green Serrano Pepper
Hot Scotch Bonnet Chile Peppers
Hot Habanero Chile Peppers
Hot Scorpion Chile Peppers
Close-up of Hot Trinidad Scorpion Chile Pepper
Having a small specialty pepper section is a good idea. Putting up a copy of the “Scoleville Hot Pepper Scale” will increase sales, reduce culls and have interested shoppers buying and trying new varieties. Remember to wear gloves when handling hot peppers, do not rub your eyes and wash your hands before taking a washroom break.
If you are a typical gung-ho Produce Clerk and into sampling hot peppers, milk eases the pain.
Scoville Chile Heat Chart
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