Pepper - Chocolate Beauty

Minimum Seed Count: 20

One of the sweetest peppers you'll ever grow. Chocolate Beauty produces large, blocky bell peppers that ripen from green to a rich chocolate-brown color, making them a standout in any garden. Beneath their unusual exterior is thick, juicy flesh with a remarkably sweet flavor that develops as the fruits mature. Whether eaten fresh, stuffed, roasted, or grilled, these beautiful peppers offer exceptional taste and eye-catching color that few other varieties can match.

Plant Details

• Species: Capsicum annuum
• Plant Type: Sweet bell pepper
• Days to Maturity: 75–90 days from transplant
• Plant Height: 24–36 inches
• Fruit Size: 3–4 inch blocky bell peppers
• Fruit Color: Deep chocolate-brown when fully ripe
• Heat Level: 0 SHU

Growing Guide

Starting Seeds

• Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before your last expected frost.
• Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in a quality seed-starting mix.
• Maintain soil temperatures between 80–90°F for best germination.
• Germination typically occurs within 7–21 days.

Transplanting

• Harden off seedlings for 7–10 days before planting outdoors.
• Transplant after all danger of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures remain above 50°F.
• Space plants 18–24 inches apart.

Growing Conditions

• Full sun (6–8+ hours daily)
• Rich, fertile, well-drained soil
• Consistent watering throughout the season
• Mulch to help retain moisture and reduce weeds

Care

• Fertilize at planting and again when flowering begins.
• Support heavily loaded plants if necessary.
• Harvest regularly to encourage continued production.

Harvesting

• Harvest green for a traditional bell pepper flavor.
• Allow fruits to ripen fully to their deep chocolate-brown color for maximum sweetness.
• Pick peppers with pruners or scissors to avoid damaging branches.

History

Chocolate Beauty is an heirloom sweet bell pepper prized for its unusual coloration and outstanding flavor. While most bell peppers ripen to red, yellow, or orange, Chocolate Beauty develops a rich brown color due to its unique combination of pigments. This rare trait, combined with its sweet flavor and productive nature, has made it a favorite among gardeners seeking something different from standard bell peppers.