Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1470856
A complete guide to chili peppers. From tableside salsas to spicy burger toppings, chili peppers bring the heat to many summertime dishes. While these unassuming fruits amp up the burn, they also add surprising flavor and are packed with vitamins. Check out our list of must-try chili peppers and take your tastebuds on a true culinary adventure. POBLANO Thicker, waxier, and bigger than other common chilis, poblanos are a bit spicier than the classic bell pepper and feature an earthy, peppery zest. Origin: Puebla, Mexico Scoville Heat Units: 1,000 – 2,000 Uses: Hollow out poblanos and stuff with your favorite fillings. GHOST Exceptionally hot, Guinness World Records certified ghost peppers as the world's hottest chili pepper. Origin: Northeast India Scoville Heat Units: 1,000,304 Uses: Take your curries, pickles, and chutneys to the next level with ghost peppers. JALAPEÑO Jalapeños are bright, green peppers with a touch of heat and vegetable-like flavor. When aged and defined as a chipotle, they take on a smokier taste. Origin: Central America & Mexico Scoville Heat Units: 2,000 – 8,000 Uses: Incorporate jalapeños into margaritas or garnish your Bloody Mary cocktail. HOT BANANA Sweet and on the mild side, these peppers have a subtle tang. Origin: South America Scoville Heat Units: 5,000 – 10,000 Uses: Top your homemade pizza with hot banana peppers. SERRANO Not to be confused with the jalapeño, serrano peppers are skinnier, longer, smokier, and spicier. Origin: Mexico Scoville Heat Units: 10,000 – 23,000 Uses: Slice up a serrano and mix it in salsa, guacamole, or pico de gallo. CAYENNE Hot and a little fruity, cayenne peppers are touted for "peppery" notes and metabolism-boosting benefits. Origin: Cayenne, French Guiana Scoville Heat Units: 30,000 – 50,000 Uses: Sprinkle tacos, nachos, and other dishes with finely diced cayenne peppers. THAI Thai chili peppers are fruity and have a serious kick. With lingering heat post-cooking, they offer the complex sweetness found in Sriracha sauce. Origin: Originally from Mexico, currently cultivated across Southeast Asia Scoville Heat Units: 50,000 – 100,000 Uses: Use fresh Thai chilis for a blast to any noodle recipe. HABANERO Habanero peppers add an intense spice, even when used sparingly. Floral and sweet, they're also crunchy and pungent. Origin: The Amazon Scoville Heat Units: 100,000 – 350,000 Uses: Elevate your chili with puréed habaneros. THE SCOVILLE SCALE The Scoville scale is a measurement of the heat of chili peppers. The higher the rating, the spicier the chili pepper. TAKE THE HEAT 12