Updates

• March 12, 2025

Chocolate Product Developments at SDCF

We’ve really built on the long-term success of our chilli chocolate over the last year or so. Our White Chilli Chocolate has exceeded all expectations since launch in 2023 and won Gold in the Taste of the West awards last year. A large part of its appeal is that it has the familiar smooth, buttery taste of white chocolate but it’s not too sweet unlike some, and so complements the heat from the chilli perfectly. Then there’s our Ginger & Lime Chilli Chocolate which, with the distinctive tangy natural lime flavour dominant, also surprises with bursts of juicy and chewy stem ginger. Summer last year was the perfect time for launch but, as with all our chocolate, the chilli heat has ensured its popularity all year round. The perfect end to 2024 was the sudden rise to fame of our Extreme Chilli Chocolate. Although we’ve been making this line for some time now, it wowed the judges at Devon Food and Drink awards and won us another coveted Gold. Spurred on by these accolades, we decided to take a look at other flavours including some past favourites. So, this Easter, after a big thumbs-up from all our staff taste-testers, we’re launching a NEW Chilli Chocolate which combines our rich 60% dark chocolate with a satisfying crunch and, of course, a nice kick of chilli to finish! Meanwhile, I have been lucky enough to attend a chocolate-making workshop which gave me the opportunity to compare working methods, brush up on skills and try my hand at making artisan filled and moulded chocolates. It was fascinating trying out a varied selection of fresh flavours in different combinations. I also enjoyed experimenting with various ganaches and decoration techniques, all of which has given me lots of ideas and inspiration for future product lines especially for celebration days and festive times of year – watch this space! One of the most enjoyable parts of my work is the creativity and innovation which is always encouraged here at the farm. As the saying goes, the only limit is your imagination!

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• February 14, 2025

Chilli Growing Workshops are back for 2025

Looking to add a fiery touch to your gardening skills? Join us for an exhilarating chilli growing workshop that promises to spice up your horticultural repertoire! Whether you’re a novice gardener or an experienced grower, this hands-on session is designed to guide you through the fascinating world of chilli cultivation. Starting with propagation, participants will learn how to germinate seeds and nurture young chilli plants. You'll discover the essential steps to ensure strong germination and healthy seedlings, from soil selection to temperature control and light requirements. Our experts will share invaluable tips on how to care for your chillis as they grow, including advice on watering, fertilising and plant management to maximize yield and flavour. However, the journey of a chilli grower is not without its challenges. The workshop will delve into common pests and diseases that can afflict chilli plants, such as aphids and fungal infections. You'll gain practical knowledge on how to identify, prevent, and manage these issues to keep your plants thriving. The workshop will showcase the diverse array of chilli varieties that we grow at South Devon Chilli Farm, from the mild and tangy to the super-hot and fiery. Learn about the unique characteristics of each type, including popular favourites like jalapeños, habaneros, and cayenne peppers, as well as exotic and lesser-known varieties. Join us at the South Devon Chilli Farm for an opportunity to learn some of the tricks of the trade and how we see how we run our chilli growing operation from behind the scenes. All participants will leave with guaranteed armful of plants to practise their newly gained knowledge on for the forthcoming season. Don't miss this opportunity to ignite your passion for chilli growing and take home a wealth of knowledge and inspiration!  

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• February 7, 2025

Spice Up Your Life: Growing Chillies from Seed

By Izzi, Nursery Co-ordinator at SDCF It’s that time of year again! Days at the chilli farm are filled with multitudes of seed sowing after a very long winter. Life starts to flourish across our two nurseries where I will be sowing and pricking out all the chillis grown for the crop in our polytunnels and subsequently made into the products you all love! Or they will sown and pricked into plugs and 1L plant pots for all you chilli heads to grow on and harvest from yourselves. However, you may fancy turning your own hand to sowing chilli seeds this year. This is such a rewarding experience, offering a vast array of varieties from mild and sweet to scorching hot. It's easier than you think, and with a little patience, you'll be harvesting your own chillies in no time. Getting Started: The key to successful chilli growing lies in giving your seeds the right start. Ideally, sow your chilli seeds indoors in late winter or early spring. This gives them a head start in a warm and stable environment. What You'll Need: ●       Chilli Seeds: Selecting your chilli varieties is a delightful part of the process, offering a chance to choose peppers as visually appealing as they are delicious. Whether you're drawn to ornamental varieties perfect for a windowsill display, crave the intense heat of a superhot, or prefer the yummy flavour of a cherry bomb or jalapeno, the possibilities are endless. ●       Seed Starting Trays or Pots: Small pots or trays with drainage holes are perfect. ●       Seed Starting Medium: We use only fine-grade vermiculite. It has had the best success over the years for strong seedling growth! ●       Warmth: Chilli seeds need consistent warmth to germinate. A propagator, heat mat, or even a warm windowsill can work. ●       Light: Once they germinate, seedlings need plenty of light. A sunny windowsill or grow lights are ideal (however, grow lights are for the more serious chilli heads!). Sowing Your Seeds: Prepare your containers: Fill your seed starting trays or pots with the vermiculite about ¾ full, gently firming it down. Sow the seeds: Sow seeds on top of the vermiculite, spacing them apart as best as you can as you do not want to have them on top of each other. Water gently: Moisten the vermiculite thoroughly but avoid overwatering. The vermiculite should be damp but not soggy. As the vermiculite is devoid of any nutrition, we use a very dilute ratio of chilli focus (which you can buy from us) to water in the seedlings. The ratio we go by is 1tsp to 8L of water. Ideally, the water is warm but not hot! Provide warmth: Cover the trays or pots with a clear lid or plastic wrap to create a humid environment and retain warmth. Wait patiently: Chilli seeds can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks to germinate, depending on the variety and conditions. After Germination: Once your seedlings emerge, remove the cover and provide them with plenty of light. Keep the vermiculite consistently moist, but avoid overwatering. Once the seedlings have a few sets of true leaves, you can carefully transplant them into larger pots. Tips for Success: ●       Temperature is key: Aim for a consistent temperature of 25-30°C for optimal germination. ●       Don't overwater: Soggy vermiculite can lead to rot at the base of the seedlings (known as damping off). ●       Provide adequate light: Seedlings need plenty of light to grow strong and healthy. ●       Be patient: Germination can take time, so don't give up! Growing chillies from seed is a fun and rewarding experience. With a little care and attention, you'll soon be enjoying the fruits (or should I say, peppers?) of your labour. So, why not spice up your life and give it a go?

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• January 20, 2025

What will 2025 bring for SDCF?

Well, 2024 was quite a year for us at SDCF! But, never content to rest on our laurels, we have quite possibly planned even more to pack into 2025, which we cannot wait to share with you all... Whilst we want to keep some of it as lovely little surprises to sprinkle throughout the year, you can be on the look out for.... New chilli seasonings, fruity preserves and tangy sauces that pack a punch!  Whilst there's no arguing with our classics like Chilli Jam or Extreme Sauce, we aim to keep things spicy and interesting for you, our lovely customers, by continuing to innovate and bring funky new flavours to your plate on a regular basis.  A recent visit to our lovely stockist Hot Sauce Emporium in Bristol has given us a renewed sense of vigour and enthusiasm for creating sauces that have flavourful and visual impact, and really stand out in a crowd - we can't wait to get cooking!  New Chilli Chocolate flavours and gift designs  Chocolate has been through a really challenging year in 2024, with the price of cocoa globally being higher than ever - even the major chocolate brands like Cadbury and Lindt have struggled to maintain quality and supply while keeping prices affordable.... let alone the little guys like us!  That said, thanks to our fantastic loyal customers our chilli chocolate bars and chilli drinking chocolate continue to sell, and we are keen to keep growing our range for you to choose from.  Our Chocolatier Elsa has several new flavour combinations in mind for 2025, and we also plan to try branching out from our traditional bar-shape design this year...  New chilli plant varieties  As we continue to grow our relationship with the Royal Horticultural Society with our very first Floral Marquee display at the RHS Malvern Spring Show in 2025, expanding and evolving our collection of chilli plant and seed varieties takes on even more importance for us.  Its our mission for 2025 to focus our seed collection efforts on collecting high quality seed from a wide selection of new and existing varieties.  This does mean we have had to be ruthless about cutting down on some of our existing varieties, though we plan to keep a seed stock of everything and rotate what we collect each year going forward - its a complicated dance trying to keep up with everything we want to do in the horticultural department here!  As if this isn't enough, you'll see plenty more from us at SDCF in 2025 including a new Tik Tok account, new look newsletter, a fabulous Show Tunnel this summer and more events across the country than ever before - we're so excited for an action-packed year to come!     

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• December 16, 2024

Christmas 2024 @ SDCF

Christmas is always special at the South Devon Chilli Farm. Here, in the shop, we love welcoming both new and regular customers eager to stock up on gifts for chilli-loving friends and relatives. And, with ample onsite parking and the relaxed atmosphere we're known for, it's such a welcome break from city centre crowds. Combined with the opportunity to de-stress over a cup of our warming chilli drinking chocolate (available in four delicious flavours), the hope is you'll return home more relaxed than when you left!   Thanks to all the exciting new products we've introduced in 2024, it's actually felt like Christmas all year round for us! The summer launch of our Mango Chilli Sauce was a great success as the perfect accompaniment to barbeque meats, halloumi or grilled fish. Made from fresh mangoes with hints of ginger and lime, why not pair it with cold cuts after the big day?   This was coupled with the launch of our Ginger & Lime Chilli Chocolate which soon became a firm favourite both in store and online. Its fresh, zingy taste makes the perfect way to finish indulgent festive meals and a welcome reminder of sunnier, warmer days to come.   And then, as harvest got into full swing in late summer, we were able to bring back our colourful and much-loved Pickled Chillies. The perfect addition to any sandwich, we can only do one bottling per year from fresh chillies available at the time, so make sure you don't miss out!   This year, our bottle and preserve gift packs have flown off the shelves and include firm favourites like our Sweet Thai Chilli Sauce and Chilli Jam. We've also bundled together a range of our most popular products to qualify for a 10% discount. So, if you've still got stocking fillers left to buy or are making up your own hampers, this could be a very cost-effective way to snag some unique chilli treats and to keep your foodie purchases local.   We're open this Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the final lead-up to Christmas so there's still time to drop in and round off your Christmas shopping spree with some sizzling chilli gifts.

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