A Season of Discovery: Celebrating Our First Chili Pepper Harvest

As the chili pepper harvest season draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on what an incredible journey it has been for SpiceQuest. This has been our first full harvest since launching in June, and while I thought I knew peppers before, the past few months have been a true eye-opener. What started as a quest to bring more variety and control to people’s spice experience has turned into something so much bigger — a deep connection to the growers, farmers, traders, and enthusiasts who make it all possible.

The Chili Pepper Growing Season: What You Need to Know

For those who aren’t familiar, the chili pepper growing season typically runs from late July or early August through the middle to end of October. During this time, tens of thousands of pounds of peppers are picked, packed, and shipped all over the country — and sometimes the world. But what most people don’t realize is that many of these growers are everyday people with day jobs, families, and in some cases, disabilities. What ties them all together is their shared passion for peppers. And let me tell you, that passion is something fierce.

These growers care deeply about the quality of their plants, their seeds, and the fruit they produce. Many of them won’t send out a single pepper they’re not proud of. If something goes wrong in shipping or with the product itself, they’ll make it right — whether that’s a refund, sending more peppers, or adding in extras because they’re so excited for you to try something new. It’s not uncommon to get a message within minutes if they’ve just picked something special or have a new idea to share. The energy, the excitement — it’s been a wild and wonderful ride.

Behind the Scenes: The Work of Pepper Growers

Over the course of the past few months, I’ve worked with an incredible variety of growers from all across the country. Together, we’ve moved hundreds of pounds of peppers. I’ve vacuum-sealed, frozen, and dehydrated more peppers than I ever thought possible, and by the end of the season, I had nearly half a dozen dehydrators running full-time just to keep up. And while curating the perfect varietals for the SpiceQuest core kit has been important, the real joy has come from discovering and experimenting with rare, lesser-known peppers that deserve a spotlight all their own.

Discovering the Variety: From Known Classics to Hidden Gems

When I started SpiceQuest, my goal was to help people better understand the heat levels of peppers so they could elevate their meals without overwhelming them with too much spice. And while selecting the right peppers for our kits was crucial, I quickly realized that there was so much more to explore in the world of peppers. The growing community I’ve encountered is a tapestry of incredible people working in an ecosystem that’s both vibrant and unpredictable. From droughts to hurricanes, from super hots to the mild and flavorful, these farmers are out there every day making it happen — and I’m so grateful to be a part of that journey.

What surprised me most was the sheer variety of peppers being grown — hundreds of varietals in different stages of development, from the well-known to the experimental. Some are stable, and others are still in their early breeding phases. There are trendsetters and hidden gems, peppers that every grower wishes they had more of, and peppers that might not ever make it to next season. It’s a risky business, full of unknowns — weather, soil, pests, and the unpredictability of the harvest itself all play a part. Add to that the complexities of shipping and trust between buyers and sellers, and it’s clear that this community is one built on resilience, passion, and dedication.

Launching Our Limited-Edition Releases

Through this journey, I’ve become more determined than ever to share these rare and unique peppers with the world. Even if they don’t make it into our core kits, they deserve to be tasted and celebrated. That’s why I recently launched our limited-edition releases, where each month we’ll highlight some of these incredible peppers, along with the stories of the growers who cultivate them. These releases are a chance to experience something special — flavors you may never have tasted before, grown with love and dedication.

Looking to the Future

Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue working closely with these farmers, planning next year’s harvest, and securing the best possible peppers for our kits and limited editions. And I want to be clear — this isn’t just about my taste or preferences. I always share these peppers with friends, family, and colleagues to get their feedback and tasting notes. SpiceQuest is about creating something that resonates with everyone who loves peppers as much as we do.

Thank You to the Growers

To all the growers I’ve had the privilege of working with this season — thank you. Your dedication, hard work, and passion have made this journey unforgettable. I’m excited to keep building these relationships and sharing more incredible peppers with the world in the months and years to come.

Join the Journey

Stay tuned for more updates, stories, and rare pepper releases. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the loop. I can’t wait to show you what’s coming next!

Sincerely,

Fabio
Founder & Chief Spiceologist
SpiceQuest