| Grading Guide: Sweet Peppers |
sizes | packs | Illustrated criteria |
| Definitions of Criteria for USDA Fancy Sweet Pepper |
Characteristics of a USDA Fancy Sweet Pepper:
Mature Green |
Similar Varietal Characteristics |
Well Shaped |
- Has reached the stage that will withstand normal handling and shipping
- If not green, showing color specified on container
|
- Peppers are the same general type, unless indicated otherwise on container
- Example: thick and thin-walled types are not mixed
|
- Not more than slightly curved
- Not more than slightly indented
- Not more than slightly misshapen
|
Diameter at least 3 in. |
Length at least 3.5 in. |
|
- Diameter is the greatest dimension measured at right angles to the longitudinal axis.
|
- Length is the greatest overall length measured parallel to the longitudinal axis,
not including the stem.
|
|
A USDA Fancy Sweet Pepper does not have any:
Sunscald |
Freezing Injury |
Decay |
- Sunscald occurs when pepper
fruit is exposed to excess heat from bright sunshine. The skin is bleached
and sunken.
|
- Freezing will cause pepper
flesh to become soft and water-soaked after thawing.
|
- Decay occurs when bacteria or fungi break down the flesh of the pepper.
|
Sweet peppers with damage worse than described below do not meet USDA Fancy criteria. Measurements are based on a pepper 3 inches in diameter and 3.5 inches long.
| Scars |
Sunburn |
Bacterial Spot |
- Scattered scars aggregating more than a circle 5/8 in. diameter
- Single scar more than 3/8 in. diameter
|
- Discoloration affecting more than 5% of the pepper surface
|
- Aggregating more than a circle 5/8 in. diameter
|
| Hail |
Other Injury |
|
- Skin is healed and affected area aggregating more than a circle 3/8 inch diameter
|
- Any defect(s), which more than slightly detracts from the appearance, or the edible or shipping quality of the pepper
|
|
This project made possible by financial assistance from Indiana's Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Value-Added Research Grant Program.