Pickled Perfection

make your meals pop

I’ve been growing these little beauties for a while now, and they’re as charming in the garden as they are on the plate. Small, uniform plants with lush, dark green leaves that stay low and bushy, like they’re keeping their own secrets. But a word to the wise: that dense foliage can be a bit of a diva, prone to grey mould and powdery mildew if you’re not careful.

A quick spell outdoors often does the trick if they start looking a bit under the weather. Let them breathe, and they’ll reward you with bushy plants covered in hundreds of tiny white flowers and, eventually, those lovely teardrop-shaped pods.

If you spot powdery mildew creeping in, try a simple spray of baking soda mixed with water, or even a diluted milk solution. Both can work wonders, creating an environment that the mildew just can’t stand—natural and easy to make right at home.

Pick them regularly, and they’ll keep you supplied all season, like a melody that lingers. I always keep a jar of pickled Biquinhos on hand—ideal for when a supermarket pizza needs a hint of samba. A few scattered Biquinhos before it hits the oven, and suddenly, it feels like a treat. They’re brilliant for salads, pastas, or as a fresh topping on a buffet spread.

A small bowl on the table, and there it is: the quiet sway of a chilli with a charm that could only be Brazilian—the Girl from Ipanema, right there on your plate.

And here’s a little holiday tip: once pickled, these jars make super Christmas gifts. Picture them on the Boxing Day cheese and meat platter, adding just the right tang and festive colour.

Fun fact: they’re quite similar to the Roquito chillies you’ll find at Pizza Express, loved for that same fruity punch. So next time you’re staring down an ordinary plate of food, remember—a peck of pickled Biquinhos might just be the twist that takes it from plain to unforgettable.

Ready to add a little Brazilian rhythm to your plate? Grab your Biquinho plug for just £2.95 and let the flavour dance begin!

I’ll be honest, ‘Turkish Pickling’ didn’t exactly sound like the chilli that would steal the show—no Sultans of Swing here, or so I thought. But I’m always up for trying something new, so I gave it a go, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised. Turns out, these unassuming little plants know a thing or two about packing a punch.

In hindsight, I think I’ll pick mostly green next year for a milder mix, but a few red ones in the jar add that visual ‘swing’ that makes them look fantastic on the shelf. And like the Biquinhos, they make an unforgettable home-grown gift—just the sort of thing to spice up someone’s Boxing Day spread.

So, despite the understated name, I’ll happily crown these Turkish Pickling chillies my Sultans of Zing—they’ve got all the right moves for adding a bit of style and a lot of flavour to any dish. Next year, I'm planning to start them off in the greenhouse before giving them pride of place on the patio.