Betel Pepper

(Lycopersicon esculentum )

A popular crimson red medium tomato with great taste that tolerates low night temperatures, so it is ideal for cooler area. A Russian heirloom that is an early producer. A tough and vigorous producer that needs staking.

An attractive cultivar medium sized, scarlet red fruit that is full of flavour. Tolerant of cool night temperatures and ideal for cool climate gardens

Flavours/Food Partners

A rich flavored tomato that partners well with Latin herbs like garlic, oregano, marjoram, rosemary and thyme. Use with any good salad vegetable, Nasturtium flowers and mixed fresh herbs to make an attractive and tasty salad.

Health/Cooking/Medicinal

Like all tomatoes, Red Russian is high in the cancer fighting agent, Lycopene and also Vitamin C. For a classic rich sauce cook and mix with garlic, marjoram, sweet basil, diced shallots, and fresh pizza thyme. Finely dice, mix finely chopped shallots, fresh pesto basil and extra virgin olive oil and place on lightly toasted Turkish bread then top with an anchovie for a special homemade bruschetta.

Landscaping/Planting

Plant in an airy, sunny position in well drained soil or very large pots. Requires a 1.1 to 1.4 m stake.

Cultivation/Fertiliser

Like all tomatoes it must receive a deep soaking when almost dry and should not receive overhead watering. Feed regularly with Seasol and Powerfeed. A small amount of dolomite lime after planting will make stronger plants. Remove side shoots and develop two or three main leaders. Harvest when fruit is full color

Herb Attributes

Position Full Sun
Height 1.2m
Width 50cm
Categories: ,

Description

(Piper betle)

There are many herbs in The Renaissance range. Some are essential to any good kitchen, others are a bit exotic and some are special and make up our Premium Collection. Betel Pepper is an Asian herb that is an attractive climber with leaves that are primarily used as part of a masticatory mix. It is often confused with Betel Leaf.

Food Style and Partners

This plant is rarely used in cooking although the peppery flavour can add a bit of zip to a green salad or a stir fry. It should not be confused with the Betel Leaf (Piper sarmentosum).

Health/Cooking/Medicinal

This attractive climbing herb has pretty green leaves that form part of a Betel Quid (chewing block) consisting of the Areca palm seed and a mix of spices and sugars. It is a mild stimulant and can be addictive and is popular in Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Reported to have medicinal benefits when used as a tea or chewed to help to relieve colds and diseases of the respiratory tract. Also reputed to be cancerous due to the Areca seed.

Landscaping/Planting

This is a climbing shrub that likes a warm and moist (but not wet roots) environment. Prefers rich open soils in a warm position with filtered light and a pole or trellis to climb on. It will tolerate cooler temperatures if open soil and well established.

Cultivation/Fertiliser

Pick leaves as needed and give regular applications of Seasol and Powerfeed to keep the plant healthy and producing well.

Herb Attributes

Harvest

Position

 DECEMBER TO MAY

PART TO FILTERED SUN, FROST SENSITIVE
Height 1.5M
Width 40CM

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