Shaws Iberian

Spanish Piquillo Peppers - Get The Real Thing

Spanish Piquillo Peppers have a unique and superior texture and flavour. They are now protected to ensure quality and taste. Always be sure to choose the real thing and you won't be disappointed.

The first peppers were brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus. These became the native Spanish varieties and Spain is now one of the world’s main producers - One variety however, the ‘Piquillo Pepper’ is grown almot exclusively around Navarre, and more specifically, the surroundings of the town of Lodosa in Northern Spain.

These small red peppers from Lodosa get their sweet, slightly spicy flavour from being roasted over embers or open fires.. Pure Piquillos have been produced for generations almost entirely by hand, using no chemicals in the roasting or peeling process. In 1987 the Piquillo Pepper was given its Designation of Origin that ensures its quality.

In the late 20th century however, seeds were exported to Peru and Peru now is a major grower. Reimported back to Spain for resale, these peppers are often labelled misleadingly to imply that the peppers originate in Spain.

The authentic Piquillo peppers of Lodosa are only those with the label of the Regulatory Council, and so ‘Lodosa’ should be explicitly mentioned as well. These artisanal peppers are a bit more pricey, but their quality is unique and absolutely worth paying for.

 

Despite the recent poor harvests and lack of Piquillo Peppers availabe for export, we now have Spanish grown Piquillo Peppers available in stock.