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Q: Hi Dave-
I’m wondering if you can help shed some light on the origin of the term "sport peppers", the small, green pickled peppers so commonly found on Chicago-style hot dogs. I’ve read in certain places that they are small serranos, yet another site claims that there is actually a specific breed of peppers, similar to tabascos, called "sport peppers." Might you have a definitive answer to this question? Thanks!
Jon
A: Hello Jon:
They are a specific cultivated variety, or cultivar, of Capsicum annuum. The term "sport" probably originated because they are used as condiments on hot dogs sold in baseball parks. They are not related to tabascos, which are Capsicum frustescens. Some sources say they are of the piquin pod type, but they are larger than the typical piquin.
Dave
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