Matt Bray 
Bhut Jolokia – otherwise known as the infamous ghost pepper – is one mega-hot chili. They were once difficult to source due to their extreme nature, but no more. Some gourmet supermarkets, like Whole Foods, now carry these potent beauties. That’s exciting for chiliheads, but there’s …
Too many hot peppers left over? Whether it’s extra from your season’s pick or just an “eyes bigger than your stomach” moment at the grocery store, freezing hot peppers is a viable way of preserving chilies for months to come. You can still enjoy the …
Crushed red pepper (a.k.a. red pepper flakes) is so much more than a pizza-topping staple. It can be used in nearly any dish to give a dash of unexpected heat. Sure, it’s easy to pick up a big bottle of red pepper flakes from the store, but if …
Poblano peppers are known for their mild heat and earthy flavor, and they’re very versatile because they are large with thick walls. They are perfect stuffing peppers for those looking for something a little bolder than a bell pepper. If you end up with extra …
Have a bumper crop of jalapeños? Or do you just happen to have more than the norm in your kitchen? There’s a lot of ways to use these delicious medium-heat chilies. What to do with a lot of jalapeños has a lot hinging on the …
The love of spicy food is global. Every continent has multiple dishes that make use of the chili pepper, a fruit that originated in Central America. While some food cultures have been more closely associated with spicy foods than others, cooks around the world have …
Banana peppers are usually classified as a mild chili pepper. Their Scoville ranking tops out at about 500 Scoville heat units, which is considerably less hot than the jalapeño. A banana pepper can deliver more heat than a bell pepper but should still be within …
Sweet chili sauce is a popular Asian dip and condiment that is also known as nam chim kai. As a sweet and tangy sauce with a mild heat, sweet chili sauce is commonly served with fried foods and as a stir-fry sauce. Unless you plan …
If you’re looking to grow sun-like spiciness, there is nothing more wicked than the Carolina Reaper. This is the hottest pepper in the world, so don’t approach this chili lightly. The oils of this pepper, even when still whole on the vine, can cause major …
What are Apocalypse peppers? The Apocalypse Scorpion pepper (a.k.a. Apocalypse pepper) is an Italian super-hot scorpion-type chili whose heat (1,400,000+ Scoville heat units) has been recorded at levels rivaling the Carolina Reaper (1,400,000 – 2,200,000 SHU.) That’s an incredible level of spiciness. But as this …