The AAS judges' criteria for awarding Mariachi top honors were its superior fruit size (tapering from 2 inches across at the shoulders to 4 inches long, with a soft point), early maturity (7 to 10 days sooner than comparable varieties), huge yields (2 to 4 plants will probably keep your family fed all season, and a single packet of seeds will add enough extra peppers for plenty of canning, drying, and sharing with friends!), lower pungency (Mariachi measures just 500 to 600 on the Scoville "hotness" scale), and superb flavor (the heat has a rich, fruity underbite with hints of melon). This is an absolutely first-rate pepper, destined to be the industry standard for some time to come.

These peppers mature from green to yellow to red, and may be picked yellow with no loss of flavor or heat. They arise all over robust little 18- to 24-inch plants, demonstrating good staying power in the garden and after harvest. Chop them up into salsa and pickles, grill them, stuff them, dry them and then grind them into spice -- the possibilities are endless!

By the way, if you like the overall flavor of Mariachi but wish it had a bit more heat, simply lengthen the time between watering and/or remove any source of shade to the plant. These stresses increase the "heat" of the pepper. By the same token, to make the peppers less hot and more fruity, give the plant a bit of afternoon shade and water more frequently!

Mariachi sets fruit continuously throughout the season, so you won't be overwhelmed by a giant harvest all at once. The plant is resistant to Tobamo, thriving easily in any sunny, well-drained soil. Enjoy this fine new pepper! Pkt is 20 seeds.