Sandia Pepper Guide: Heat, Flavor, Uses

What are Sandia peppers? The Sandia pepper (a.k.a. NuMex Sandia) is another of a long list of delicious chili hybrids developed by New Mexico State University. Just by looking at its shape, you can see its Anaheim pepper roots, large and long. But behind that …

Poblano Vs. Jalapeño: PepperScale Showdown

by Matt Bray

Simmer and pop! Poblano peppers and jalapeños both stand tall in the world of Mexican chilies. They are staples in the kitchen and popular in sauces, salsas, and well beyond. But beyond these uses, how similar are these two peppers. Does one pack a bigger punch? …

Brazilian Starfish Pepper Guide: Heat, Flavor, Uses

by Matt Bray

What are Brazilian starfish peppers? Describing the Brazilian starfish pepper as “uniquely shaped” may be doing it a disservice in the looks department. This is one beautiful chili with a shape much like a sea star. It’s a lovely quirkiness – sort of an unexpected, but …

Fiery Sriracha Butter

by Matt Bray

So buttery good, and then there’s that kick…

Sriracha sauce can take the simplest of condiments and turn it into something so much more. For instance, when butter meets the Rooster sauce, your refrigerator may never be the same. This Sriracha butter recipe is delicious drizzled atop fried chicken, burgers, and even scrambled eggs. It’s also total spicy heaven as a French fry dip. Really many fried foods pair very well here.

We recommend a pinch of cayenne powder to top of the heat, but if “too spicy” is a concern (what?!), omit it, taste the butter post-blending, and add to taste.

Spicy Homemade Chili Powder

by Matt Bray

Some extra oomph…

Many don’t realize, but chili powder is, in fact, a seasoning mix made from many ingredients, including cumin, garlic powder, and oregano. It’s one of the reasons chili powder typically doesn’t pack too much punch in the spicy department. The other reason: Store bought chili powders often use lesser-heat peppers, like poblano pepper, as the hot pepper base. So store-bought chili powders are typically mild. But any true spicy food fan won’t settle with simmer, so why not make a batch of spicy homemade chili powder for yourself ?

This recipe includes ingredients you likely already have in your spice rack, so pulling together a fiery DIY chili powder is really simple. It’s balanced for that little extra oomph, mixing paprika with cayenne pepper powder to stoke the flames. You can raise the ante even more by opting for a hot paprika instead of a mild variety. To learn more about the different levels of paprika spiciness, take a look at our article Is Paprika Spicy?

Capsicum Pubescens: Distinctively Juicy

by Matt Bray

Unique characteristics

This particular species is the least widespread, as well as the least cultivated, of the Capsicum varieties. Literally translated, “Pubescens” means “hairy”, and these plants can be fairly easily identified by their characteristic black seeds and hairy leaves. Another distinctive trait of this species is the blue-violet color of the flowers’ petals. Most often, these flowers grow singly or in pairs, but in rare instances they may grow in clusters of four. As the pods ripen, they become yellow or red and typically grow to the size of a small apple.

But – perhaps most of all – the chilies of Capsicum Pubescens set themselves apart from other hot peppers with they’re meatiness and juiciness. It’s a totally unique eating experience when compared to other peppers, more akin to eating a tomato than a jalapeño.

Spicy Beef Tacos

by Matt Bray

Spice up your taco night…

Sure you can reach for a packet of taco seasoning to prepare your ground beef for taco night, but why not dive into that spice rack and turn things up a notch instead? We amp up the spicy beef with cayenne pepper kick. That delicious taco earthiness is still there, too, with both chili powder and cumin delivering the flavors you expect. Your taco building station won’t know what hit it!

Note: If you want more heat….first, we’re with you. Second, increase the cayenne by 1/2 teaspoon increments, Don’t increase the amount of chili powder used (or reduce it proportionately). Chili powder contains many ingredients beyond chilies that add to the taco flavor, like garlic powder, oregano, and cumin. As a heat source, it’s diluted compared to cayenne and adding too much can over-spice the meat.

Spicy Tomato Chutney

by Matt Bray

Big tomato flavor, fiery red chili heat. We love a fiery spicy tomato chutney for bruschetta or simply to use as a table dip for an evening of bread and cheese. But its uses can go much farther. Use it as a sandwich spread or dip …

Capsicum Frutescens: Tabasco And More

by Matt Bray

Characteristics of Capsicum Frutescens

Of the five domesticated Capsicum species, Frutescens is one of the easiest to identify. This particular species shows very little variation in the appearance of the pods, which are often produced in clusters.

Typically, the pods are small and tend to have an ellipsoid-conical shape. Frutescens plants are compact with short stubby growth and a large number of flowers, making them an ideal choice for container gardening.

Most often, the stem of this species grows straight up throughout the plant, curving suddenly just before reaching the flower head.

Serrano Vs. Habanero: PepperScale Showdown

by Matt Bray

Bold meet bolder (times two)… Serrano and habanero chilies are growing in popularity among mainstream grocers. But beyond the obvious size and color differences, what do you need to know? How different are these two chilies really? Does one trump the other in heat? Are the flavors …