Matt Bray 
Capsaicin sets off the burn, but that’s only half the story. Here’s what researchers actually think is going on when you crave heat, why some people want it more than others, and where the risks start.
As they relate to chili peppers, the terms genus and species are used to classify plants according to their characteristics. Whether you are an enthusiastic lover of hot peppers or a curious cook, it is a good idea to have an understanding of the science …
Cayenne and ancho peppers are both popular chilies used in Mexican cuisine. But how do they compare? Is one hotter than the other? Do they taste similar? Do they look alike? Let’s compare these two chilies so that you can make the best choices for …
What are cascabel peppers? Sure many dried chilies rattle, but none do so quite like the cascabel pepper. They keep their rounded shape when dried, which creates the perfect natural bell or rattle. Cascabel chilies are mild in heat (1,000 to 3,000 Scoville heat units) …
How Hungarian and Spanish paprika differ in smoke, heat, flavor and types, how to tell them apart, and when you can swap one for the other.
Jalapeño peppers are known for their fresh, bright flavor and medium kick. Fresh jalapeños, of course, are the cooking go-to, though jalapeño powder is coming on strong as a spice rack alternative. This green powder has the same medium-heat and a surprising amount of flavor …
Habanero peppers are growing fast in popularity. You can now often find them right across from jalapeño peppers on grocery store shelves. But handling a wickedly hot habanero is a totally different experience than handling a barely medium-heat jalapeño. If you don’t follow some simple …
Crushed red pepper (a.k.a. red pepper flakes) are forms of coarsely ground chili peppers with the seeds left in. The chili peppers used to make the typical crushed red pepper include cayenne (most common), chile de arbol, or ancho. That said, there are many different …
In a well-stocked spice rack, there are typically a few fiery spices available. Two of the most popular are crushed red pepper and cayenne powder. They both will light up a dish, but is one better than the other depending on the dish? Is there …
What are rocotillo peppers? Like a habanero or scotch bonnet pepper in shape, the rocotillo pepper comes in much lower in overall heat. It’s really a mild pepper − just a wee bit hotter than the poblano on the Scoville scale (1,500 to 2,500 Scoville …
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