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Piment d'Espelette

Basque Pepper

Capsicum annum

$4.76 CAD
In Stock

weight: 5g or 0.17oz ≈ 54 seeds

- Iconic Basque heirloom hot pepper
- Mild heat with rich, fruity complexity
- Traditionally dried in decorative hanging strands
- Excellent used fresh, dried, or ground
- Thin-walled and perfect for preserving

Growing Information

About The Basque Pepper
Piment d’Espelette, also known as a Basque Pepper, is a traditional Basque heirloom pepper celebrated for its mild heat and rich, sweet flavour. Growing on tall, sturdy plants, the slender red fruits are as ornamental as they are delicious. In Basque culture, peppers are strung together in long, beautiful braids and hung along houses to dry, forming iconic cascades of deep red. These thin-walled peppers are perfect for drying, and once ground, offer a fragrant spice that is both warm and aromatic without overpowering heat. Enjoy them fresh, pickled, roasted, or ground into the famous Espelette powder.

Where Can You Grow Piment d’Espelette?
This pepper grows best in Zones 4–9 in a hot, sheltered spot or greenhouse. Well-suited to container growing, patios, or warm garden beds with full sun and rich, well-draining soil.

History and Historical Uses
Named for the town of Espelette in the French Basque region, Piment d’Espelette holds a treasured place in the culinary and cultural traditions of southwestern France. The peppers have been cultivated there for centuries, used both decoratively and as a culinary staple. Officially recognized with AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) status, the original variety is subject to strict regional regulations. Our seeds come from Ustaritz, a neighbouring village to Espelette, and offer Canadian growers a chance to connect with this vibrant heritage.

Canadian Zone Information
Zones 8–9: Direct sow outdoors or transplant starts after soil has thoroughly warmed.
Zones 5–7: Start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost; transplant to full sun once warm.
Zones 4: Grow in containers or greenhouse for best results.

How to Grow and Harvest Piment d’Espelette

Planting: Start seeds indoors in early spring; sow 0.5cm (¼in) deep and keep warm.
Watering: Water regularly but do not overwater; peppers prefer evenly moist soil.
Harvesting: Pick red ripe fruit when skin is glossy; string to dry or use fresh.
Maintenance: Stake taller plants and fertilize with compost mid-season for best yields.

Seed Saving Tips for Future Supply

Select Best Fruit: Choose ripe, healthy red peppers at season’s end.
Extract Seeds: Cut open and scrape out seeds; rinse and dry thoroughly.
Dry and Store: Ensure seeds are fully dry; store in airtight container in a cool, dark place.
Viability: Seeds remain viable for 3–5 years.

Certified Organic By
Islands Organics Producers Association (Cert#1962)

Growing Summary
Product Reviews
Have a Question?

We (a small farm) ship every week, on Wednesday!

Pick up available from our farm stand 542 Wootton Road, Metchosin

100% Canadian Grown in Metchosin, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada.

Processed-By-Hand

Certified Organic

Open Pollinated

Non-GMO

Frequently asked questions

Do you do sell at the farm?

No.

We do have a farmstand that is open during the season: March/April through to June/July

Will my order have tracking?

Maybe.

We ship all seed packages using Letter Mail through Canada Post.

However, if you order any Sprays, Bouquets, Root Stock, or Tubers; we automatically add protected shipping in a prepaid Canada Post box. These have a tracking number.

How much does shipping cost?

Save $20 when you spend $200

All our Shipping has a handling fee.

Shipping starts at $6 and increases incrementally for seed packages only.

If you purchase Sprays, Bouquets, Root Stock, or Tubers; Shipping will increase by $18 and go up incrementally.

We charge shipping rates that are fair to our customers and allow us to operate as a small farm.

What is your Customer Satisfaction policy?

We guarantee germination up to 75% on all our seeds in proper conditions.

That means we will replace them.

We make no guarantees on our Forager Pet products, other than that they are safe for the animals listed. But do reach out if your pet isn't happy.

Mistakes happen and can be fixed. So missing items, wrong items, or even damaged items can be replaced.

We will always work with you to find an appropriate solution.

Customer Satisfaction Policy

How long does shipping take?

Letter Mail can take up to 5-6 weeks.

Parcels can take up to 1-2 weeks.

We ship Wednesdays which can also lead to delays.

Are all your products 100% Canadian?

Yes. All our products are grown in Metchosin BC or foraged from surrounding forests.

What is your refund policy?

We are a resolution first small business. That means we would love for you to be happy with our products.

However, if you want to return or refund, this can be done.

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