Shishito, AKA Sweet Wrinkled Old Man

Portuguese explorers introduced Padrón seeds to Japan in the 1600s, where growers selected them for their mild heat and distinctive flavor. Over generations of cultivation, the fruit developed into a slightly different strain that is narrower, longer, more heavily wrinkled, and sweeter than Padrón peppers. The name Shishito combines the Japanese words shishi, meaning “lion,” and togarashi, meaning “chili pepper,” referring to the wrinkled tip that resembles a lion’s head. The thin-skinned fruit grows 2 to 4 inches long and is usually picked green, when it has a mildly sweet, savory, smoky, slightly fruity flavor with citrus notes that become richer when blistered or grilled. Red fruits are slightly sweeter. Shishitos are often eaten fresh as finger food, sautéed with olive oil, garlic, and soy sauce, or used in tempura; chefs often pierce the fruit before cooking to prevent bursting. Most peppers are sweet or only lightly warm, but about one in ten can be noticeably hotter, with jalapeño-like heat that catches the back of the throat. Also known in Korea as kkwari-gochu (wrinkled pepper), and are used in dishes such as myeolchi-bokkeum and jangjorim. Also known in the U.S. as Sweet Wrinkled Old Man. Although classified as sweet, fruit will produce some heat. Great for short-season climates. Heirloom.

• Heat: Sweet (100 - 1,000 SHU)
• Height: 18 - 24in
• Harvest: 60 - 75 days from transplant
• Pack includes 25 seeds

Did you know? Humidity can reduce the viability of pepper seeds over time, causing  seeds to stagnate. That’s why every seed pack includes a silica gel packet to help keep the seeds dry and fresh. To save seeds for next year, place the seed packet and silica gel packet together in a quart-size freezer bag, seal it, and store it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. 

Share your pepper photos or favorite pepper recipe—and get free seeds!

Pepper photos: Please use photos on the Pequin pepper page as a guide. Submit one photo of your plant bearing fruit and another showing the pepper(s) in your hand. In return, you may choose any three seed varieties currently in stock. Exclusions apply.

Recipes: Submit your favorite pepper-dish recipe along with a photo of the finished dish and choose any three seed varieties currently in stock. Submit an authentic ethnic recipe to receive five seed packs. Exclusions apply.

Please send to: hotheadseedco@gmail.com