Hinkelhatz

The Hinkelhatz is a small, heart-shaped pepper, measuring 1 1/4 inches in length and 3/4 inch in diameter at the stem end. The pods taper to a blunt point, covered with tiny bumps and wrinkles. The plant is bushlike, small and compact, measuring 1 1/2 to 2 feet tall. It is prolific and cold tolerant, lending itself to a longer season than the average hot pepper, as well as relatively resistant to pests and disease. The Hinkelhatz comes most usually in red or yellow, though a very rare orange variant exists preserved among a small group of Mennonite farmers, and is slightly more toplike in shape than the red and yellow varieties. Its flavor is described as ‘stocky’ and it is considered to be quite hot. The Hinkelhatz has been cultivated by the Pennsylvania Dutch Mennonite population for over 150 years, though it was also illustrated in Curae Posteriores by Charles L’Ecluse in 1611 (but without a mentioned origin which is presumed to be Mexico). The orange variety was discovered recently in Maxatawy, Pennsylvania. The pepper is now cultivated by a few farmers across the United States.