Food is our basic necessity. However, the extensive cooking methods and ingredients used in different cultures have made it more than just a necessity. Extensive varieties of ingredients are used to enhance the taste and variety of cuisines. Even the basic ingredient ‘pepper’ has also many varieties. Baklouti pepper is a pepper native to Tunisia of North Africa. Tunisia is a small country on the Barbary Coast.
BAKLOUTI PEPPER
In old times, people used to consider it as the ‘breadbasket’ of the Roman Empire. People admire this pepper for its unique hot flavor which does not suppress the taste of other ingredients in food. Moreover, these are used extensively in cuisines like salads, sauces, pickles, and jams. Additionally, they taste great when roasted, fermented, dried, and combined with oils.
In this article, we will share some interesting facts and information related to Baklouti pepper.
Baklouti Pepper Classification
The biological classification of the Baklouti pepper is as under:
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Capsicum
Species: Annuum
Culture: Tunisian Baklouti.
There are 5 other species of domesticated capsicums, which are named below;
- Capsicum annuum.
- Capsicum baccatum.
- The Capsicum Chinese.
- Capsicum frutescens.
- Capsicum pubescent.
However the species ‘Capsicum annuum’ is most extensively cultivated among all five over 400 years ago.
The genus Capsicum has around 50,000 cultivars and varieties found extensively throughout the world. It includes all the chilies and bell peppers.
Baklouti is a cultivar of the species ‘Capsicum Annuum. This is native to America. The word ‘Annuum’ is derived from the Latin language meaning ‘Annual’. These plants can grow annually. Contrarily, they are not much winter hardy. The members of the species include different colors, sizes, and tastes. C.Annuum has many varieties and forms. These are basically divided into two forms:
- The large and sweeter ones are called ‘bell peppers’ or ‘red and green peppers’ in the USA and UK. However, people of Australia and New Zealand name them as ‘Capsicum’.
- On the other hand, species of small size and hotter taste are chilies or chili peppers.
Baklouti Pepper Plant
Important features of the Baklouti plant are mentioned below;
- Plants are perennial and annual.
- The average plant reaches a height of 90 to 120 cm.
- Plant structure is a subshrub with dense branches and green foliage.
- The fruit shape is oval, elongated, and tapered with more than 6 inches in length.
- The color of the fruit is green initially. However, it turns red on maturity.
- The Baklouti green chili pepper plant is low-yielding. A single plant bears only 6 to 8 chilies at a time. So, to gain higher yields, you need to grow a large number of plants.
- Furthermore, the chili takes 55 to 70 days to reach its ‘ripe’ form.
- The level of heat on the heating measurement is moderate. (1,000 to 5,000 Scoville Units)
Baklouti Pepper Care
The Baklouti plant is easy to grow. People grow those domestically using seeds. Additionally, the nature of these seeds is ‘open-pollinated.
Important features related to the care of the Baklouti green chili pepper plant are mentioned below:
Water Requirement:
The Baklouti plant needs an average amount of water in a regular routine. On the other hand, overwatering leads to many plant issues.
Sun Requirement:
Baklouti dwells great in full sun exposure.
Temperature Requirements:
The plants grow well in dry and warm climates. They can’t bear the frosty winters.
Soil Requirement:
The plant dwells well in acidic soil with a PH ranging from 5.1 to 6.
Baklouti Pepper Harissa
Harissa is a famous dish in the South African region. It is a sauce made by using the Baklouti green chili pepper as the main ingredient.
Baklouti Green Chili Olive Oil
Baklouti is extensively used to create the famous Baklouti Green Chili Olive Oil. Its taste is a unique combination of fruity and mildly spicy.
Uses:
- The Green chili olive oil is extensively used in culinary, salads, soups, and dressings. People with a taste of hot and spicy foods love to add this oil to their cuisine to enhance the taste. Adding the Blaklouti chili in the oil creates the typical unique taste of the Baklouti green chili olive oil.
- It is even used in marinades, desserts, and brownies to give a tint of spicy flavor.
- They are also used in combination with other foods like lentils and eggs.
Preparation:
The Baklouti Olive oil is made by following different recipes and ratios. Organic extra virgin olive oil(EVOO) and crushed Baklouti green chili are combined in almost equal ratios. The ratio of the two ingredients, Baklouti green chili, and olive oil depends upon the brands and it even becomes 1:1.6 in some brands.
Some brands simply crush olives and the Baklouti chilies in a melaxer to create this unique green chili oil.
Conclusion
Baklouti Pepper is a pepper native to Tunisia of North Africa. It is a cultivar of the species Capsicum annumm belonging to the family Solanaceae. Baklouti with its unique and mildly hot taste doesn’t suppress the taste of other ingredients in the recipe.
It is used extensively in cuisines, salads, jams, sauces, pickles, and dressings. Baklouti Green Chili Olive Oil is made by amalgamating Baklouti green pepper and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Moreover, people love adding it to their foods due to its fruity and spicy taste.
