Here’s what I learned when I did a little research: Mosco originated from a land race of what is referred to in Southern Colorado as the Mirasol chile pepper.  Mira Sol is Spanish for “looking at the sun” and describes the major distinguishing characteristic of this pepper, an upright growth habit for the fruit.  Instead of hanging with the tip downward, the way most chilies grow, these point to the sun.

What does land race or landrace (as it is sometimes spelled) mean? It is a plant that has become adapted, through traditional breeding, to a specific region or climate.

The grower of the original land race stock was Mr. Harry Mosco, who farmed on the Mesa (The St. Charles Mesa was the premier agricultural area in the region for many years.)  Mosco Pepper was derived from a single plant selection made in 1994 by Mr Mosco’s nephew, Dr. Michael Bartolo.  Seed from that original plant was then sown in 1995.  In 1995, a single plant was then selected out of that population.  This process was continued for three more generations. Then the seed was tested for five more years at Colorado State University’s Arkansas Valley Research station.

At that point the university had a pepper that came true from seed–open-pollinated–and that was very reliable.  Mosco is better than similar peppers in total yield, fruit size, and in fruit uniformity.  Fruit wall thickness is also greater, making it better for roasting.  The heat from the pepper is just right, about 5000 Scoville. Hot, but not too hot!

We love being able to grow this bit of local history. If you grow it in your own garden, you can save seeds of it and continue the tradition. Or you can just enjoy it and we’ll grow more plants for you next year!