Variety

California Wonder

The classic block-shaped bell pepper — thick-walled, sweet, and incredibly versatile

California Wonder is the benchmark sweet bell pepper — the classic four-lobed, thick-walled variety that defined the bell pepper category. It matures from green to brilliant red, with the fully red ripe fruit being far sweeter and more complex than the unripe green. Highly productive under glass in UK conditions, producing large, substantial peppers with walls thick enough to stuff, roast, or grill successfully.

Flavour

Green stage: grassy, slightly bitter, crisp. Red ripe stage: deeply sweet, almost fruity, with a full rounded pepper flavour and no bitterness. The transformation from green to red is dramatic — the red pepper is essentially a different ingredient. The thick walls are juicy when raw and caramelise beautifully when roasted or grilled.

In the kitchen

The most versatile pepper in the kitchen. Grill whole over direct fire until the skin is completely charred and blistered, then steam in a bag and peel — the flesh underneath is transformed: silky, sweet, and smoky. Roast cut-side down at high heat until collapsed and caramelised. Stuff with rice, meat, or cheese and bake. Also excellent raw in salads or as a crudité.

Growing

Grow under glass in UK conditions — peppers need consistent heat and a long season. Sow from seed in January–February at 21–24°C. Pot on steadily, planting into the final position (minimum 30L container or greenhouse border) in May. Feed with tomato fertiliser when flowering begins. Harvest green from July; allow to ripen to red for maximum sweetness.