Matt Bray 
What are Hatch peppers? A lot of big flavor comes out of one tiny village in New Mexico. The town of Hatch (population ~1,600) and the Hatch Valley region are home to some of the most coveted chili peppers on the market. Known as Hatch peppers, …
No kitchen is complete without paprika. It’s a spice rack staple – the fourth most popular spice in the world. It’s found right next to salt and pepper in many a cabinet. But what is paprika really? It’s made from dried and ground peppers that are part …
If chilies could have doppelgangers, there’d be solid reasons to think that the pepperoncini and the banana pepper are the case in point. Their looks – even their heat – are so similar that even for some produce professionals telling them apart is tricky. But …
Botanically speaking, fruits are the seed-bearing pods on flowering plants. Chili peppers fall into this category; in fact, as nightshades, the peppers themselves are technically fruits in the eyes of a botanist. Other nightshade fruits include tomatoes and eggplants. As with all other fruits, there …
Whether it’s that devilish Rooster Sauce made by Huy Fong Foods or a homemade variety, Sriracha is about as popular as they come among hot sauces. Right there on the shelf with Tabasco, it’s a staple in nearly every grocery store and widely available in …
If you’re like many spicy food fans, hot sauce is a staple in the kitchen. And you likely put it on just about anything. If you tend to use a lot of hot sauce, should you be worried about its calories? Does hot sauce have …
Tabasco and sriracha land at almost the same Scoville reading despite being built from very different chilies. How each one is made, how they taste, why they do not substitute for each other, and which is the safer bet on the shelf.
Two things actually take capsaicin out of a too-hot salsa. Everything else just changes how much of it you feel. Here’s which to reach for, what won’t work at all, and how to keep it from happening next time.
Guajillo and ancho peppers are two dried Mexican chilies that are typically reconstituted in water or ground to powder when used in Mexican or Tex-Mex cuisine. Despite many similarities, guajillos and anchos have quite a few different properties. Which pepper is hotter? How easy is …
You can find pre-made Picante sauce and pre-made salsa in the Mexican aisle of your local grocery store. Mild and hot versions of each are available and can serve similar purposes, but how different are these two ingredients? When should you use one and when …
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