Pepper Profiles | Page 14 of 19

Aji Chombo: The Fiery Panamanian Pepper

Habanero-like heat and flavor…

Scoville heat units (SHU): 150,000 to 350,000
Jalapeño reference point: 18 to 140 times hotter
Origin: Panama
Products and seeds: Aji chombo on Amazon

While not easy to source in the U.S. or U.K., the aji chombo holds a lot of sway in its native Panama. With its extra-hot heat and fruity flavor, it compares well to its Caribbean cousins, the habanero and scotch bonnet peppers. If you’re looking to make an authentic Panamanian hot sauce with extra kick (or any fiery authentic Panamanian cuisine), the aji chombo is your chili of choice.

Aji Dulce: Heat, Flavor, Uses

by Matt Bray

Habanero looks, yet very little fire…

Scoville heat units (SHU): 0 to 1,000
Jalapeño reference point: 3 to 8,000 times milder
Origin: Caribbean
Products and seeds: Aji dulce on Amazon

Do you love the fruity sweet flavor of habanero peppers, yet can do without the fire of the infamous extra-hot chili? Meet the aji dulce, also known as ajicito or aji cachucha. This habanero look-alike packs a sweet and smoky taste with very little (if any) perceptible heat. It’s perfect for mild salsas, sauces, and a must for Caribbean cooking, especially Cuban and Venezuelan cuisine.

Trinidad Perfume: Super Sweet Without Super Heat

by Matt Bray

Fruity and flavorful, perfect for mild tropical salsas…

Scoville heat units (SHU): 0 to 500
Jalapeño reference point: 5 to 8,000 times milder
Origin: Caribbean
Seeds: Trinidad Perfume on Amazon

When you hear the term ”Trinidad” in relation to chili peppers, a world of super-hots come to mind: the super-fiery Trinidad moruga scorpion or one of its Caribbean relatives like the extra-hot habanero or Scotch bonnet. But in the case of the Trinidad Perfume, while the pepper carries a similar “gonna burn you up” look, its heat is far from it – it’s more akin to a bell pepper in fieriness than a scorpion pepper. Yet the Trinidad Perfume still carries that delicious fruitiness those super-hots are known for, making this chili a perfect low-heat option for tropical salsas and hot sauces.

NuMex Centennial Guide: Heat, Flavor, Uses

by Matt Bray

What are NuMex Centennial peppers? Talk about brightening up a garden. The NuMex Centennial, like its cousin the NuMex Twilight, is a rainbow of color. But unlike the Twilight and its cayenne-like zing, the NuMex Centennial brings its beauty with a much more eatable low-medium …

Dundicut Pepper: Pakistani Spice

by Matt Bray

Fiery and fruity…

Scoville heat units (SHU): 55,000 – 65,000
Jalapeño reference point: 7 to 26 times hotter
Origin: Pakistan
Products and seeds: Dundicut pepper on Amazon

You don’t need to search far in authentic Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine to discover the dundicut pepper. It’s a staple chili – especially for Pakistani cuisine – where it heats up curries, chutneys, and many other sauces and dishes. In fact, this chili is often called the national chili of Pakistan. Dundicuts are typically used dried and provide an extra-hot kick with a delicious layer of fruitiness.

Jwala Pepper: The Intense Flame

by Matt Bray

Potent heat, appley flavor…

Scoville heat units (SHU): 20,000 – 30,000
Jalapeño reference point: 3 to 12 times hotter
Origin: India
Seeds: Jwala pepper on Amazon

It’s impossible to enjoy authentic Indian cuisine, especially authentic curries, without partaking in the jwala pepper. Also known as the Indian finger hot pepper, the jwala is the most popular hot pepper in India, and as such it’s used in all sorts of spicy foods, both as a fresh chili as well as dried. This chili provides a very eatable medium heat to meals.

Aji Omnicolor Guide: Heat, Flavor, Uses

by Matt Bray

What are Aji Omincolor peppers? There are many beautiful ornamental peppers, many of which provide terrific color to landscaping or gardens. The aji omnicolor is one, but this chili brings something extra-special to the table, literally. There’s a complex, fruity, and sweet flavor to these …

Aji Charapita Guide: Heat, Flavor, Uses

by Matt Bray

What are aji charapita peppers? Tiny, yet oh so very fiery, the aji charapita has wild roots. It hails from the jungles of northern Peru, and has mainly grown wild – only recently being cultivated for commercial use. Its size is small, like an American …

Charleston Hot Pepper Guide: Heat, Flavor, Uses

by Matt Bray

What are Charleston Hot peppers? For many, the cayenne pepper is already a big heat, but its cousin the Charleston Hot takes the popular cayenne to a whole different level. Bred by the United States Department of Agriculture, this cayenne variety doubles the spiciness of …

Prairie Fire Pepper Guide: Heat, Flavor, Uses

by Matt Bray

What are prairie fire peppers? Prairie fire peppers may look more like little Christmas lights (or even Light Bright pegs) than chili peppers, but you’re in for a real surprise if you pop one in your mouth. There’s a surprising heat (70,000 to 80,000 Scoville heat …