Greendoor - Aci Sivri – Chilli Seeds

Plant characteristics

The plant is characterised by robust and very vigorous growth:

• Growth habit: It typically grows bushy and upright, with numerous branches.
• Height: In the ground or in a pot, it usually reaches an impressive height of 60 to 90 cm, and even more under optimal conditions.
• Leaves: The leaves are medium green, lanceolate and form a dense canopy that protects the fruits from excessive direct sunlight.
• Flowers: It produces numerous small, white flowers, from which, if successful, a profusion of fruits develops.

The fruit

The hallmark of the Aci Sivri is its unusual shape and colour:

• Shape: The fruits are extremely slender, elongated and taper to a very sharp point. They often grow to 15 to 20 cm in length, but are usually only about 1 to 2 cm thick. A slightly wavy or twisted surface is typical.
• Colour progression: During the ripening process, the pods go through an attractive spectrum of colours. They start out a light, almost yellowish green (at this stage they are often harvested in Turkey) and eventually ripen through orange to a bright, deep dark red.
• Texture: The fruit wall is rather thin, making it ideal for drying.

Flavour & heat level

The Aci Sivri is known for its spicy, ‘paprika-like’ aroma, accompanied by a noticeable but usually not overwhelming heat.

• Heat level: On the Scoville scale, it usually ranges between 5,000 and 30,000 SHU.
  • Note: The heat level can vary greatly within the same plant – some pods are mildly spicy, others surprisingly fiery.
• Aroma: It has a subtle sweetness and a very direct, fresh aroma. When red, it is sweeter, whilst the light green fruits have a rather tart, fresh spiciness.

Uses

Due to its thin skin and moderate heat, it is extremely versatile:

• Fresh: Sliced into rings for salads or as an accompaniment to meat dishes.
• Pickled: The light green fruits are a classic in brine at Turkish snack bars.
• Dried: Thanks to its thin walls, it is excellent for air-drying and processing into chilli powder or flakes.