The Field Guide to Peppers

November 15, 2015

Coauthors DeWitt (Peppers of the World) and Lamson, founder of chiliplants.com, have compiled an extensive listing of 400 of the best-selling varieties of pepper available at Lamson's nursery. This book is useful as an identification guide as well as a selection aid for those deciding which peppers to order and plant. While the information provided about each plant (cultivar name, origin, pods, plant height, harvest time, heat level, and comments) is helpful, the gorgeous and large color photographs are the jewel of this work. Home gardeners may browse without the clutter found in a typical seed or plant catalog, then read on about those varieties that catch the eye. Organized by species name (with Capsicum annuum being further divided by pod type), the book also includes short essays providing growth characteristics, historic origin information, and production information about each species or pod type; however, these essays are less helpful than one would wish as they contain dated U.S. production information and lack references. VERDICT Home gardeners as well as avid chili heads will appreciate the vast quantity of peppers covered and the visual and plant growth habits presented in this guide.--Kendra Auberry, Indian River State Coll. Lib., Port St. Lucie, FL

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2015
This pictorial encyclopedia showcases 400 different varieties of chile peppers. The book opens with narrative information on growing peppers, and moves right into the identification guide. Peppers are sorted into five species, with a two-page spread detailing each type. The largest species, Capsicum annuum, is further broken down into 20 familiar varieties including ancho, bell, ornamental, serrano, and wax. The entries include a full-color photograph of the mature pepper plant, along with details such as cultivar name, origin, plant height, days to harvest, and heat level. There is also a sentence or two of trivia about the plant and what each particular pepper is commonly used for (ground dry spice, type of cuisine, hot sauce, etc.). This gardening reference should do well in most public-library collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)