With their iconic bright red color and fiery heat, Tabasco peppers are a garden favorite best known for making hot sauce. But when is the right time to start harvesting these little firecrackers? Like most peppers, Tabascos can be picked at various stages of ripeness depending on how you plan to use them. Here’s what you need to know about identifying peak ripeness and getting the best harvest from your Tabasco plants.
Part of the chili pepper family, Tabasco peppers rank around 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville heat units. That puts them on par with other popular hot peppers like cayenne They have an elongated conical shape and glossy, waxy skin that ripens from green to yellow, orange, and finally bright red.
Compact, bushy Tabasco plants reach about 3-5 feet tall at maturity. The small tapered peppers grow in upright clusters, with each plant producing dozens of fruits. Though best known for making hot sauce, Tabascos are also excellent for salsas, powders, piercing, poppers and more.
Determining When to Start Harvesting
Timing your Tabasco pepper harvest correctly ensures you get the maximum yield of peppers with optimal flavor color and heat level. Here are the signs to look for
Fruit Size
Tabasco peppers are considered ready for picking when they reach about 1-2 inches long Measure a few peppers on each plant to get an idea of average size
Color Changes
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Green: Tabascos can be harvested when fully sized but still green. Green Tabascos have a grassy, herbaceous flavor. They are tart and crunchy. Use for salsa verde, pickling or frying.
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Yellow/Orange: As peppers ripen, chlorophyll breaks down and carotenoids become more prominent, changing color to yellow and orange shades. These peppers are moderately hot with some sweetness. Good for hot sauce, powders and cooking.
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Red: Fully ripe Tabasco peppers turn a bright, glossy red. They are the sweetest with the most well-rounded flavor. Ideal for hot sauces, salsas, powders and sauteing.
Firmness & Sheen
Regardless of color, ripe Tabasco peppers should feel firm and heavy for their size with a smooth, shiny skin free of blemishes. Soft, wrinkled peppers are overripe.
Days to Maturity
Tabasco peppers typically take 80-90 days to mature from transplanting. Note the planting date and watch plants closely as they near full maturity.
How to Harvest Tabasco Peppers
Use a pair of garden shears or scissors for harvesting. Carefully snip the peppers from plants, leaving about 1⁄4-1⁄2 inch of stem attached. Handle the plants gently to avoid damaging branches. The basics:
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Harvest early in the day when peppers are cool and dry.
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Pick fully sized peppers as needed once they start ripening.
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Leave immature fruits to continue growing.
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To encourage more flower/fruit production, stay on top of harvesting.
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Pick all peppers before first frost.
Caring for Plants After Harvesting
Keep caring for your Tabasco plants after harvesting peppers to maximize yields:
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Water 1-2 inches per week.
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Fertilize every 3-4 weeks during growing season.
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Prune damaged branches and remove weeds/debris.
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Stake/trellis plants for support as needed.
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Mulch around plants to retain moisture.
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Scout for pests and diseases. Treat organically if found.
What to Do with Your Tabasco Pepper Harvest
The beauty of Tabasco peppers is their versatility. Here are some ways to put your harvest to use:
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Make homemade Tabasco-style hot sauce. Ferment and blend into sauce.
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Pickle peppers whole or dice up for relish.
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Dehydrate and grind into spicy chili powder.
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Fire up poppers, pepper nachos and other appetizers.
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Add chopped peppers to salsas, chili and curries for heat.
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Infuse vinegar or oil with peppers for a spicy condiment.
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Stuff and roast peppers for a side dish.
Knowing when your Tabasco peppers are at peak ripeness results in the best harvest and flavor. Pay close attention as fruits ripen and be diligent about harvesting. With the right care, your plants will reward you with an abundance of fiery peppers all season long.
Tabasco Sauce Pt 1 Picking, Prepping, and Parting
FAQ
What do Tabasco peppers look like when ready to pick?
When to pick a tabasco pepper off the vine?
Can you pick Tabasco peppers when green?
How long does it take for Tabasco peppers to turn red?
How long does it take for tabasco peppers to grow?
Tabasco pepper plants take a couple of weeks to germinate and approximately 80 days for the plant to mature. They begin flowering after about three months, and the fruit starts growing after that. At first, the peppers are a light green color, and then they turn to medium green, yellow, orange, and finally red.
When should I pick tabasco peppers?
If you wait too long to harvest tabasco peppers, they may become too ripe and start to shrivel or develop mold. It’s best to pick them when they are bright red and plump for the best taste. 4. Should I pick tabasco peppers individually or in clusters?
Can you pick tabasco peppers before they turn red?
Yes, you can pick tabasco peppers before they turn red if you prefer a milder taste. Harvesting them when they are still green will result in a slightly tangy flavor with less heat. 8. Can tabasco peppers continue to ripen off the plant? Unlike some other peppers, tabasco peppers do not continue to ripen off the plant.
When do tabasco peppers turn green?
Tabasco peppers start off green and gradually change color as they mature. While some people prefer to harvest them while they are still green, it’s best to wait until they have fully ripened to a vibrant red hue. This is when the peppers have developed their maximum heat and flavor. 1. Can I pick tabasco peppers when they are still green?