Last Updated on September 13, 2024 by Suttons Horticultural Team
Here at Suttons, our plant breeders are always experimenting to produce ever better combinations of flavour, hardiness and vitality. When it comes to chillies, they recently achieved exceptional results with the new Chilli ‘Longhorn F1’. Here are some of the reasons you should give this exciting cayenne variety a try.
Want to grow several chillies for culinary variety? Browse our full collection of chilli seeds or order high quality chilli plants for a quick and easy shortcut to success.
It’s time to try something new
Are you in the mood for trying something new? Then welcome the Chilli ‘Longhorn F1’ to your veg patch. With a feisty flavour to match its Tex/Mex inspiration, these high-yielding cayenne chillies resemble the pointed horns of the famous Texan cattle from which they take their name.
The ‘Longhorn’ is a seriously productive chilli which delivers a punchy 15-20,000 SHU. In fact, at four times hotter than the ever-popular jalapeno chilli, our new offering has enough heat to satisfy the most trigger-happy of cowboys without ever scorching the mouth. The plants can also withstand intense heat and sun without damage to the fruit, but they may need a little support with the weight of all that spicy fruit!
Good reasons to grow your own chillies
Image: Chilli ‘Longhorn F1’ from Suttons
Chillies are easy to grow in pots on a bright windowsill and make an unusual and attractive house plant. They can also be grown in a greenhouse or directly in the ground outside. There are many varieties from which to choose. Some are fiery hot while others are mild and flavoursome. As well as tasting absolutely delicious, they offer lots of health benefits:
- High in vitamin C – even higher than citrus fruits
- Full of health-promoting antioxidants
- Very low in calories
- High in potassium, vitamin A, and folate
- An excellent source of dietary fibre
- Spicy chillies trigger the release of feel-good endorphins, boosting your mood and sense of vitality
- They can be grown indoors and outdoors
The best ways to cook with chillies
Image: Chilli Seeds ‘Padron’ from Suttons
If you like a hint of heat in your home cooked dishes, then using chillies picked straight from your plant is the perfect way to add a fiery twist. Incredibly versatile, here are some suggestions to try:
- Sprinkle chopped fresh chillies into scrambled eggs, home made burgers, stir-fries, soups, stews or curries. Use as much or as little as you like, depending on the level of spice that you can handle!
- Add thin slices to sandwiches – The ‘Longhorn’ isn’t too fiery, so won’t blow up your taste buds when eaten fresh.
- Make your own chilli powder – the ‘Longhorn’ works really well when dried and ground. You can even smoke the chillies first to give them an extra rich taste.
- Dust homemade chilli powder over avocado for a mild burst of heat and oodles of flavour.
- Why not try roasting your own chillies and sweet peppers? It’s super-easy to do in the oven, under the grill or in front of a live fire. It adds a smoky flavour that is so much better than anything you can buy in a shop.
Remember, the heat of chillies actually comes from the strip that attaches the seed to the fruit, rather than the seed itself. If you want less spice, simply remove this part.
We think you’ll agree the chilli ‘Longhorn F1’ is a bull’s eye for Suttons, and well worth growing at home. If you want some expert tips on how to grow these spicy little fruits, please take a look at our handy Chilli Growing Guide.
