Peppers come in many different varieties and has different levels of heat and flavor. When considering the different types of peppers that exist, it is important to know the level of heat and flavor that each type of pepper have so that you can select the correct pepper for a specific dish. Adding too much heat to a dish with peppers that are too spicy OR adding too much flavor from peppers that has strong flavor profiles can dramatically change the flavor of a dish.
Peppers that contain no heat include sweet pepper. Sweet peppers can be used in a variety of dishes due to the lack of heat from the peppers. Bell peppers are a type of sweet pepper with a blocky shape.
Different Types of Peppers and How Hot They Are
These peppers can be included in many salads or you can stuff them with ingredients like cheese or rice. Pimentos are another type of sweet pepper that has a heart shape and high level of sugar content. Both cubanelle and banana peppers is relatively mild in there level of heat.
However, banana peppers have a tangy flavor to them that makes them suitable for include in a pickle. Red peppers tend to be the best to use because they are often the most ripe and contain more natural sugars than green peppers. Peppers that are mildly spicy include poblanos peppers that have an earthy flavor.
These peppers can be roasted or use to make mole. Anaheim peppers tend to be longer than poblanos peppers with a smoky flavor. Shishitos are similar to poblanos but have a chance of providing heat to the dishes that use these peppers.
Paprika peppers are often ground up into a powder. These peppers are a good choice for cooks that are new to the kitchen as they have relatively mild heat. Medium heat peppers is common in many recipes.
These peppers will provide a spicy sensation to the dishes in which they are used. Jalapeños have a grassy flavor but removing the seeds and the ribs from the jalapeños will reduce the heat from the peppers. Serrano peppers are thinner and have a sharper taste than jalapeños.
They also contain more heat from serrano peppers than jalapeños contains. Fresno peppers are similar to jalapeños but have a fruitier and smokier taste. Hungarian wax peppers are another type of pepper in this category with a similar use to fresnos peppers; they are often used for pickling due to their texture.
Hot peppers will provide intense heat to the dishes in which they are used so care should be taken when using these peppers in a recipe. Cayenne peppers are hot but you can dry and grind them into a powder. Thai bird’s eye peppers and Tabasco peppers are small but provide intense heat to the dishes in which they are used.
Pequin peppers have heat with smoky and citrus notes. These flavors are strong so it is important to use small amount of these peppers in cooking. Super hot peppers are used for adding extreme heat to a dish.
These peppers are not often used in cooking outside of home kitchen. Habanero peppers are one type of pepper that can be used in a recipe that require a lot of heat. These peppers have a floral and fruity flavor.
Scotch bonnet peppers are also very hot and have the same flavor as habanero peppers. Ghost peppers contain a delayed heat that often makes them popular in sauces that are very spicy. The Carolina Reaper is one of the hottest peppers in the world and is used for heat competitions between cooks of all levels.
Peppers that are dried are not the same as fresh peppers. Ancho peppers are dried poblanos peppers that contain sweetness that is similar to raisin. Chipotle peppers are smoked jalapeños that people often use in adobo sauce.
Guajillo peppers have a berry taste while de árbol peppers have a nutty taste to them. Ensuring that peppers are rehydrated properly will allow peppers to add more depth to stews. The color of the pepper indicate the level of ripeness that the pepper has reached.
As peppers ripen, their flavor change. Green peppers are the least ripe with a grassy taste so they are often used raw in many recipes. Yellow or orange peppers contain more natural sugar than green peppers as they are more ripe.
Red peppers are the most ripe and contain the most sugar and vitamins compared to other peppers. If you do not have the specific type of pepper that a recipe calls for, there may be another type of pepper that can be used in its place. Using serrano or fresnos peppers can be used in place of jalapeños for more heat.
Using Anaheim peppers or bell peppers and cayenne peppers can be used in place of poblanos peppers. Habaneros can be replaced with scotch bonnet peppers as they have the same flavoring to foods in which they are used. When using peppers in the kitchen, it is important to take certain precautions to ensure safety.
Always wear gloves when cutting peppers that are known to be spicy as the capsaicin can irritate the eyes. If you experience any heat from the peppers that you have consumed, dairy products will neutralize the heat due to the contents of their milk. Ensure that both fresh and dried peppers are stored properly in cool areas or airtight containers, respectively to preserve their quality.