January 2015 – PepperScale

Padrón Pepper Guide: Heat, Flavor, Uses

What are Padrón peppers? Every chili pepper has a heat range, but very few pack the spicy surprise that the Padrón pepper does. 90% of the time these Spanish chilies (also known as Pimento de Padrón) are some of the mildest on the planet. And …

Naga Morich: Venamous Bite

by Matt Bray

The ghost pepper’s hotter cousin.

Scoville heat units (SHU): 1,000,000 – 1,500,000
Jalapeño reference point: 125 to 600 times hotter
Origin: India
Products and seeds: Naga Morich on Amazon.com

With a venomous bite even more intense than its cousin the ghost pepper, the Naga Morich (also known as the serpent chili and the Dorset Naga*) sits in rarefied air on the pepper scale. Calling it “fiery” would simply be an understatement as only a handful of chilies surpass it. Like with other super-hot peppers, don’t handle these chilies raw without taking safety precautions, and if you dare to eat it, be ready for the pain!

Growing Habanero Peppers: A Steady Supply Of Homegrown Heat

by Matt Bray

Container or garden, habaneros will thrive…

The savviest heat-lovers grow their own chili peppers, and rarely have to go without that extra kick. That’s especially true for some of the hottest chili peppers, like the habanero, that may not be available at your local store. If you seek the heat of this spicy chili more often than most, growing habanero may be your best choice. Below, you’ll find some simple tips that’ll help you grow these chilies at home.

Is Hot Sauce Good For You?

by Matt Bray

Heat-lovers already know hot sauces are delicious in all their many varied forms, but what exactly are they doing to your body? Is hot sauce good for you? Or is the flip side true? Is hot sauce bad for you?

The short of it: Hot sauces are actually very good for you, but there are a few caveats. Read on to get the skinny about these kickin’ condiments.

Carolina Reaper Vs. Habanero: PepperScale Showdown

by Matt Bray

Hot stuff meet molten lava…

Habanero peppers are hot, make no mistake. They’ll kick you around. But a Carolina Reaper? It’s like a solar flare erupted in your esophagus. Yes, there’s a humongous heat difference here, but is there more to compare? How different do they taste? Does the heat act similarly? What about products in the marketplace? We dive in with another PepperScale Showdown.

Gator Bite Hot Sauce: It’s Got Teeth

by Matt Bray

Bold Taste. Bold Heat.

Don’t be lured in by the cartoon alligator on the label to thinking this is some mild mannered mix. Gator Bite hot sauce by Pepper Palace will bite…and bite hard. Its mix of smoky sweet habanero pepper and cayenne, along with gritty Cajun spices, has surprising depth. There is big heat in a bottle, too, so be ready for its teeth.

Habanero Salsa Verde

by Matt Bray

Molten green… Looking for a way to up the spice of your tangy tomatillo-based salsa verde? Adding in habanero pepper is a sure-fire way to create a salsa with sweat in mind. This habanero salsa verde recipe also has a layer of sweetness, too. It …

Simple Spicy Salsa Meatloaf

by Matt Bray

Make a salsa meatloaf that matches your heat tolerance…

We love this simple salsa meatloaf recipe because you can adjust it to how much spice you really want! Throwing a party with a ton of spicy food lovers? Use a habanero pepper salsa as the base. Having a family dinner where a little spice is ok, but not too much? Opt for a mild salsa that everyone can enjoy. Want it a little sweet? Opt for a fruit-based salsa. It’s that simple. You can even match the guacamole heat to match!

Best of all, like many meatloaves, this is a “mix it up and bake it” type recipe. You don’t need to be an aspiring chef to pull this meal together. You need just a few basic ingredients, an oven, and an hour. There’s a serious amount of flavor in this salsa meatloaf for how little prep and time you need. For those lacking kitchen skills, it’s a great way to impress family and friends.

If salsa meatloaf is right up your alley, give our Cajun meatloaf a try as well. It features a trio of Southern flavor: Cajun seasoning, Tabasco sauce, and cayenne pepper. It’s a bold meatloaf with something to say – perfect for fans of Louisiana cuisine and bold spices.