They’re Selling ‘Hot’ On Ohio Farm

They’re Selling ‘Hot’ On Ohio Farm CROPS New Techniques If you appreciate hot peppers and want new culinary options an Ohio couple is happy to help you “Welcome to Pepperdise” is the greeting on their Ohi:yo Pepper Co online store with powders blends infused salts and raw and hot honey “We like everything spicy We’re always doing research and development in our kitchen ” says Thera Snyder who owns the business she and her husband Nick started on her family’s farm Both love to “spice it up” by adding hot peppers to everything from main dishes to fruit cookies bread and popcorn They begin the process by planting 5 000 to 6 000 seeds in grow tents in February Some plants are sold and about 3 000 are planted on half an acre There are over 100 varieties and some peppers are sold fresh at area farmers markets Most are freeze-dried and sold year-round which sets Ohi:yo products apart from other dried peppers that are dehydrated or air-dried “The difference is that freeze drying keeps the fresh flavor They keep their vibrant colors ” Snyder says including orange red green peach and chocolate “Chile Heads” who seek the heat can find about three dozen powders made from mostly very hot peppers Snyder also includes the Scoville Heat Units in each powder’s description so customers know what they are getting into White Ghost Death Spiral and Carolina Reaper are among the hottest peppers But there are options for other customers’ taste buds as well “Aji dulce red is only 500 on the scale It’s mild just above the red bell pepper but it has a hot flavor ” Snyder says The cost is $12 per 12-gram jar for pepper powders except for Aji Charapita Powder which costs $65/jar Snyder explains that it takes 200 of the pinky-nail-size peppers to fill a jar Native to Peru the citrusy fruity slightly floral pepper is gaining popularity and rates up to 100 000 Scoville Heat Units Beyond the powders Snyder has developed several blends through her kitchen R&D “A Kick in the Peach” came about after she added Datil pepper powder to a peach cobbler Her blend includes peaches sugar and other spices along with the pepper which can be sprinkled on everything from popcorn to fruit to salmon Ohi:yo also infuses pepper powder in salt and sells raw and hot honey from the couple’s hives After purchasing seeds from other pepper growers for a couple of years the Snyders started saving seeds to start all their plants in 2024 They also introduced new products such as spicy pecans and hot pepper jelly “I plan on expanding by getting in more local stores and attending hot sauce festivals around the country ” she says to get the word out about products from Ohio’s Pepperdise Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Thera Snyder Ohi:yo Pepper Co Zanesville Ohio ph 740-868-6393; info@ohiyopepperco com; www ohiyopepperco com; Facebook and Instagram: Ohi:yo

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