Pepper Shishimai: Thailand Seeds (25 seeds/pack)

Shishimai is a variety of shishito pepper. The fruits are bright green and bite-sized, not spicy in taste but distinctly peppery. It is harvested green (before turning red) for peak flavor.

Shishi means “lion” and Mai means “dance”. Shishimai is a festive dance performed in lion costumes at celebrations and festivals during the New Year. The performing lion “bites” children to ward off bad luck, improve academics, and bring good health.

Why shishi? The two split ends of the pepper resemble a lion with its mouth open.

Shishimai L3 is the first shishito variety to have the L3 gene. The L3 gene is responsible for the hypersensitive response in Capsicum in plants against the infection of tobamoviruses. The resistance conferred by this gene is one of the most effective so far described against tobamoviruses.

Note: When Shishimai is overly mature the peppers will turn red and can become hot.

ABOUT TOKITA SEED COMPANY

Tokita is a seed company based in Saitama, Japan, with a mission of enhancing our global food culture, connectivity, and health through delicious, productive vegetable seeds. The company was established in 1917 and is now in its third generation, with over a century of vegetable seed expertise behind each variety.