Well, Sconfer (sp?) is probably the best source of info on growing peppers here in OK. I just moved here last year, but if the first year is any indication-this is the place to grow hot peppers. Everything I grew did wonderfully. The hottest peppers I have personally grown are Habaneros. These are fruity tasting, but with a burn only true hot pepper fanatics crave. These are the peppers used for Jamaican jerk chicken recipes. I really like the red habanero, but many people prefer the chocolate. Fatali is a habanero-type pepper that is extrememly hot, with a distinct background citrus flavor. The other pepper to try that is just a notch below the habanero in hotness is Orange Thai peppers. Tiny, but they pack a whallop. I am trying a new pepper this season, its a polish heirloom called Cyklon. Check out the postings this summer and I'll be sure to let you know how these do. Sorry I can't offer many of these for trade, but I'm still about a year away from growing out all desired varieties. If you want any of the Ciliegia Piccante seeds however, I have plenty that were sent me in a trade. I'm more than happy to spread the wealth! Let me know.

All peppers are edible, if the plant has not been sprayed with pestisides. However some of the ornamental ones do not taste good, since they are grown for looks. What shape are the peppers? I have Bolivian Rainbows, which stays quite compact and peppers start purple and ripen to red through yellow and orange phases. Peppers on it are small and have a bit the conical shape. An other one which has same color peppers is Pretty Purple, but the peppers on it are totally round. Some people dry and grind ripe Bolivian Rainbow peppers to be used as seasoning. I have so many other hot peppers growing that I have not yet done that. Sometimes I have eaten the whole red Bolivian Rainbow peppers from plant at my desk. I have noticed that they are not so hot as the ones grown in garden. Pretty Purple: http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/svalli/Chili/PrettyPurpleripe.jpg Bolivian Rainbow: http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/svalli/Chili/BolivianRainbow.jpg (This one has been growing inside, so leaves do not have purple)

Hi, yes peppers are very good medicinally. I have over the past 2 years developed a taste for hot peppers and they have had a marked influence on my health. I have sinus issues so i used to get the flu or a cold roughly about every 2 months. I have not been sick at all in the past 2 years since eating hot peppers. I have also heard the claims about cholesterol control, one of my colleages has high collesterol and he tested the theory once, he went for a cholesterol test and the results showed high, then for the next week he had cayenne pepper every day then went for the same test and the level had come down a lot, obviously there are other things that could have affected the results but interesting none the less.

Yes, LOL, I do that all the time. I often see an ingredient somewhere that I've come across in a cook book or something and buy it but can't remember which recipe it goes with. I only do that with things that will last a while until I can find the lost recipe. In fact, I just did that yesterday with unsweetened coconut. I can never find that. I think those recipes are in my Indian or Jewish cook book (or both). Can you list the ingredients on the green chile paste? Thai recipes often call for green curry paste or red curry paste... I'm wondering if what you have is the same thing. The Thai stuff often has lemon grass, ginger or galangal, peppers, blah blah. The 5 Spice Powder is used in lots of dishes. I hope that maybe someone remembers posting a recipe with it, since that recipe is probably why you bought it. My Thai cook book has a recipe for Five Spice Pork Spare Ribs that looks pretty darn good. I haven't tried it... but if you want the recipe I'll type it out for you. I may be trying it soon, though, LOL. These start on the barbecue and finish in the oven. I'm glad you posted this and made me look!