Chilli Medusa - to use or admire?

[veggiechicken]

First a confession - I'm not very fond of eating chillis (Sorry). However, I couldn't resist buying a Chilli Medusa at Wyevale reduced by 75% to £1. Should I admire it as an ornamental pot plant and/or cook the chillis? If I cook them should I dry them first and/or remove the seeds? There's mixed advice on the web about whether this plant is worth using in cooking.

[chilliking]

i wouldn't bother eating. i don't think they'll kill you but they won't taste very good. admire it rather than cook it!

[zazen999]

There's only one way to find out - just try one and if you don't like it, leave them on the plant. If you do, then eat them.

[DGoulston]

mmm Chilli's I love chilli's

only growing Cayenne peppers and some other big chilli at the mo, but:

It is a general misconception that the seed is the hottest part, the seed only contains a small amount of capsaicin, the chemical that makes them spicy. most of it is in the inside of the skin, and the parts (membrane) that the seeds hold on to.

So if you are going to cook them, do not worry about the seeds, of course you can take the seeds out and use them to seed a new batch next year!

A little searching turns up that Medusa chilli's are more ornamental and not seen as hot at all, so I am guessing they do not have much flavour. give them a try as someone else said, only one way to find out! lol.

Darren

[veggiechicken]

Thanks for the advice. In the interests of science I have just nibbled a Medusa chilli. It tasted of slightly spicy earth! (Yes, I did wash it first, honest!) In its favour, I no longer have the urge to eat chocolate that I had 10 minutes ago, before I read your replies. Maybe it could be used as a dietary aid?

[ginger ninger]

I grew this little chilli last year. I thought it was very mild, in fact I gave most of the seeds to peeps on here for them to try. I used a few in cooking, it had a bit of flavour...but it's a lovely looking plant. Personally, I'm a big fan of chillies that blow your head off .

[veggiechicken]

I grew this little chilli last year. I thought it was very mild, in fact I gave most of the seeds to peeps on here for them to try.

Who will step forward and tell me whether they grew Ginger Ninger's seeds and if so, what's their verdict?

[The Large One]

SWMBO came home one day a few weeks ago proclaimimg, "i bought you a chilli plant to add to your collection"
i thought...mmm, wonder what it could be....
i was slightly dissapointed when i saw it but it has grown into quite a nice plant and has stayed in the house on the window sill ever since
not hot by any means but pretty and one to admire

[veggiechicken]

Definitely attractive - and I shall keep it going as long as poss. Maybe even save a few seeds and try my luck with it next year - not to eat but as gift plants!

[northepaul]

I love pretty chillis and chillis to eat, but I use them sparingly.....and I run the chilli seed circle!!

[veggiechicken]

Hi northepaul, Somehow I don't think I'll be joining the chilli seed circle but if you'd like some of these Medusa chilli peppers to grow I'll send you a few.

[northepaul]

Thanks for the offer, veggoechicken
If you have spare seeds, it might be best to donate them to the chilli parcel run by gingerninger.

[veggiechicken]

I don't think gingerninger was too impressed by Medusa - apart from her looks!

[veggiechicken]

Found the half nibbled remains of yesterday's Medusa chilli by the computer so gave it another gnaw hoping it would put me off my breakfast. It didn't!! Perhaps I should try one with a bit more kick.

[The Large One]

LOL
iv'e got a chilli called turtle claw, looks just as similar as the medussa small, uninspiring but by crikey it packs a punch 100,000 SHU's, you can try one of those if you like.....LOL