The tabasco pepper is a variety of the chili pepper species Capsicum frutescens, like the Naga Jolokia. It’s a very pungent pepper grown mostly in the Gulf Coast states and Mexico. It is mostly known as the pepper used to make the very famous hot sauce, Tabasco sauce. It’s one of the most well known peppers next to the jalapeno pepper.
Origin of the Tabasco Name
The word, “tabasco”, is the name of a state in Mexico. The name of the pepper came first, which was later adopted by the famous hot sauce by McIlhenny Co. Tabasco sauce, the brand hot sauce, measures in much lower, at 2,500 to 5,000 SHU. They grow better in warmer temperatures, above 75°F (24°C), and in well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. They have a low tolerance for frost, as do most chili pepper plants. Tabasco pepper plants are somewhat bushy, though you can trim them back as needed to accommodate room for your other pepper plants. I love making my own homemade Tabasco sauce with them, and cooking with them in general. Learn how to ripen unripe peppers indoors.
Tabasco Pepper Weights & Measurements
How Much Does a Tabasco Pepper Weigh? An average tabasco pepper weighs about .04 ounce, or 1.2 grams. How Many Tabasco Peppers Per Pound? There are roughly 24-24 average sized tabasco peppers per ounce, and 100 tabasco peppers per pound. For making hot sauce, I make fermented and non-fermented versions and love them both. I usually keep it simple and include nothing but tabasco peppers, vinegar and a bit of salt. Very tasty! They make an outstanding Louisiana style hot sauce. They’re also good for general cooking. I often chop some and freeze them, cook use them to cook down with onions and celery as a base for soups, stews and other sauces with a bit of a kick to them. I do like my foods spicy. Try making your own Homemade Tabasco Sauce! Got any other questions? Drop me a line anytime. I’m happy to help. NOTE: This post was updated on 1/27/20 to include new information and photos. It was originally written on 9/23/13.
