{"product_id":"shishito-aka-sweet-wrinkled-old-man","title":"Shishito, AKA Sweet Wrinkled Old Man","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSweet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePortuguese 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. The fruit is 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeat level: 100 - 1,000 SHU\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant height: 18 - 24 inches\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest: 60 - 75 days from transplant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e25 seeds\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eDid you know? Humidity can reduce the viability of pepper seeds over time, causing \u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eseeds 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eShare your pepper photos or favorite pepper recipe—and get free seeds!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"\u003ePepper photos:\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"\u003eRecipes:\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"tab-stops: 80.4pt;\"\u003ePlease send to: hotheadseedco@gmail.com\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e","brand":"Hothead Seed Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46576948772966,"sku":"261","price":6.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/hotheadseeds.com\/products\/shishito-aka-sweet-wrinkled-old-man","provider":"HOTHEAD SEED COMPANY","version":"1.0","type":"link"}