"Heatless Habanero" peppers grown in the Innovation Garden at Star Hill Farm at the Maker's Mark distillery in Loretto, Ky. on Aug. 10, 2023.
© Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
(Corvallis, OR) – There’s new peppers on the plate. Research done at Oregon State University has brought us a more mild habanero pepper. Vegetable breeders came up with the new varieties, allowing people with a more sensitive pallet to add a little heat to their cuisine.
For the better part of 25 years, research has been underway in a bid to come up with habanero peppers that are less than extremely hot. And for the most part that’s been a struggle, as habanero’s are well-known for being extremely spicy.
These new varieties have some cheeky names and they won’t leave you running for a glass of water. OSU’s breeders are calling them “Notta Hotta,” and “Mild Things.” Described as of a “lower” heat level, the peppers apparently have unique and fruity flavors — as well as floral flagrances and tastes at the same time. Farmers markets are expected to start selling the seeds as soon as next year. Perhaps home gardeners around the Tri-state will try their hand at the milder habaneros. After all, a green thumb is better than a burning red hot mouth.
