The poblano and the serrano are both cornerstones of Mexican cooking, but they sit at opposite ends of the mild-to-medium range and get used in almost opposite ways: one a big, mild pepper made for stuffing and roasting, the other a small, punchy chili made …
Ancho and chipotle peppers are two pillars of Mexican cooking that have gained devoted followings far beyond Mexico’s borders. Both are dried chilies known for their depth and complexity — yet they tell two very different flavor stories. Let’s break down how they compare across …
Here we have two of the most popular chilies on the planet. Both are flavor powerhouses that have found their way into kitchens, sauces, and gardens around the world. But how similar are they really? How much of a difference is there in overall spiciness, …
Fermented hot sauce and unfermented hot sauce are the two main options when making (or purchasing) hot sauce. The two processes result in very different products, even though the ingredients are very similar. Let’s break down the differences between the two in simple terms, so …
Jalapeño peppers are hands down the most popular hot pepper around, but do you know it comes in different shades? That’s right — there are green jalapeños and red jalapeños. What’s the difference? Is one spicier than the other? Do they taste different? Are the red …
Pickled jalapeños and fresh jalapeños will both enhance a meal if what you want is a medium to mild heat. But while it’s all jalapeño here, the flavors couldn’t be more different. If you are trying to choose between them, it is helpful to recognize …
Two of the hottest peppers in the world: Pepper X and the Carolina Reaper. These super-hots blow the heat of nearly all other chilies out of the water. But which is hotter? And how do they compare in popularity, taste, and looks? Let’s break down …
Nam prik pao and sambal oelek are two of the most beloved chili pastes from Southeast Asia. Neither is excessively hot and both share a similar bright red color; however, you would be wrong to assume that these chili pastes are even close to identical …
Harissa and sriracha have been trendy over the last decade or so, but with sriracha being the more popular of the two by far. If you are unfamiliar with both, note that there are several important differences despite how much harissa and sriracha can – …
Old Bay seasoning and Cajun seasoning are two regionally iconic American spice blends. Old Bay comes from Maryland; Cajun seasoning is associated with parts of Louisiana. The two differ strongly in their intended effects on food, although both are flavorful and have several ingredients in …
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