Peppers by Post

We – Michael and Joy Michaud – specialise in the production of chilli peppers on our west Dorset holding overlooking the English Channel. As the name of the business suggests the produce is sold by mail order.

We sell only what we grow, and pride ourselves in producing a quality product. The chillies are always sent out the same day they are picked so, delivery glitches aside, customers receive their chillies just the day after they were growing on the plant, fresher than anything that can be bought in the shops.

There are thousands of varieties of chillies in the world, and not all are created equal. The varieties we have selected represent those we believe offer the best flavour within a wide range of shapes, sizes, textures and, of course, heat level. They all have specific culinary uses, contributing to a particular cuisine or style of dish. We grow, for example, the centimetre long ‘Thai Hot’ that is perfect for stir fries, pickles and chutneys. In contrast, there is the spectacular ‘Whippet’s Tail’, whose fruit can grow up to 30cm long. We also offer the ‘Poblano’ a large, mild chilli that is perfect for stuffing.

Then, for people who want extreme heat combined with a wonderful flavour, we have our ‘Dorset Naga’, developed from naga morich, a Bangladeshi landrace variety, that is among the hottest chillies in the world (see www.dorsetnaga.com).

To view the full range of chillies we sell please click on the ‘Varieties’ window and it will reveal all.

Numex Twilight, one of the chillies that may go into a mixed bag

As an added feature, we also grow the ‘south of the border’ favourite, tomatillos. Often know as Mexican green tomatoes, these are not chillies at all but round, green, tomato-like fruit surrounded by a parchment-like husk. With a distinctive tart, herbaceous flavour, tomatillos are excellent in dips and sauces, and not surprisingly, essential for authentic Mexican cooking. And finally to treat those purists who are searching for the true Mexican flavour we grow the hard-to-find epazote herb and will gladly add a (free) handful to any order.

Out of season: As we only sell what we grow our selling period is highly seasonal. This year the chillies are growing well, and some will be ready very soon; unfortunately, it is a strange year and two chillies, Dorset Naga and Mild(ish) Habanero, and the tomatillos are going to be late (probably a few weeks into August).

Dorset Naga Seeds

We have now started a seed company called Really Cool Seeds (see www.reallycoolseeds.co.uk ).

Really Cool Seeds sells seed of Dorset Naga, several other chilli and sweet pepper varieties, three of the very best tasting cherry tomatoes we have ever tried and some herbs. A much wider range will be introduced this summer/autumn. We only sell seed of varieties that we have grown ourselves – and can truly recommend.

Please note, Really Cool Seeds is the only company authorised to sell Dorset Naga seed.

Open day

Sunday 31st August 2008: 10:30 am– 4:00 pm

Everyone welcome, entry free

Every summer we have an open day, and if you want to look around the tunnels to see the chillies growing, that is a good time to visit. This year the open day will also be combined with a open day for our new seed company, Really Cool Seeds.

If you plan on coming remember to be dressed suitably for outdoor weather. You will have the chance to walk around our polytunnels to see our chillies growing, and to talk with us about what we do. Fresh chillies, potted chilli plants, other potted plants like lemon grass, and seed will be for sale.

Remember, though, our market garden is very small and a visit here will not be a full day's activity. The neighbouring farm (www.tamariskfarm.co.uk) will have an open day at the same time, so you can spend the rest of the time there or on the beach, just a quarter of a mile down the road.

Shows and the Chilli fiesta

Every year we attend several shows, where we sell fresh chillies, chilli plants and seed.

Events we will be attending are:

• Bournemouth Food: 12th and 13th July 2008, see www.bournemouthfoodfestival.co.uk

• Tavistock Food Festival: 26th and 27th July 2008, see www.tavistockfoodfestival.co.uk

• Chilli Fiesta: 9 and 10th August. The biggest chilli show of the year is the Chilli Fiesta at West Dean Gardens, Chichester, in West Sussex. This is always a very lively affair, with more and more chilli related stalls every year. To learn more about the event contact the organisers at 01243 818209 or visit their website (www.westdean.org.uk/site/gardens/).

• Abergavenny Food Festival: 20th and 21th September 2008, see www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com

Grow and Cook courses

In August and September we run a series of half-day "Grow and Cook" courses for gardeners interested in exotic cooking. They are held at Sea Spring Farm, our market garden in rural West Dorset and home to Peppers by Post. The courses on offer are:

What's hot, what's not, which explores the unique and diverse world of sweet peppers and chillies.
Fusion Thai, a morning devoted to Thai vegetables that can be grown in Britain and British varieties of vegetables that can be used in Thai cooking.
Asian roots, covering how to grow and cook the vegetables necessary in authentic Indian/Pakistani cooking.

Each course will give detailed information on the cultivation and management of vegetables, including tips on variety choice, cultivation and their use in the kitchen.

For more information see www.growandcook.biz