A Beginner´s Guide To Spice: When To Use Your Favorite Hot Peppers

We talk a lot about the history of some of the hottest peppers, where they come from, and where they fall on the Scoville scale. But how should we best enjoy some of our favorite hot peppers? Here we will take a look at which peppers pair best with certain cuisines and share some unique recipes to help you make the most of your hot pepper experience. Get ready to incorporate more spice into your life.

JALAPEÑO:

We will start with the Jalapeno, the most widely known hot pepper. It is extremely popular in many forms, such as pickled, smoked, dried, and mashed. The Jalapeno is the main ingredient for many hot sauces, including, you probably guessed it, Sriracha. The jalapenos' bold flavor and mild heat make it a versatile pepper. They have a perceptible sweetness to them, and their thick walls make it possible to have a smoky and earthy flavor.

Fun fact: Chipotle is actually made by smoking ripe Jalapenos

So what are some unique ways you can enjoy Jalapenos?

As we stated, you can enjoy them pickled, smoked, dried, and mashed. Other interesting Jalapeno recipes would be:

-        Jalapeno Poppers: the combination of Jalapenos and cheese is unmatched! This recipe is extremely easy to make, and is perfect for an appetizer. We love making them with our whole brined Jalapeños to add a flavor reminiscent of Elvis´ favorite snack: Deep-fried pickles.

-          Baked Jalapeno Popper Mac & Cheese: Again, you can’t go wrong with the hot pepper and cheese combination. Take your mac and cheese up a notch next time, with this delicious Jalapeno Popper recipe.

CAROLINA REAPER:

This spicy pepper holds the record for the hottest pepper in the world. It’s probably a better idea to leave the preparation to us and enjoy this hot pepper in its diluted form. This pepper packs a hearty punch.

So how should we best enjoy this burning hot sensation of a pepper? Believe it or not, despite the incredible heat, Carolina Reaper was bred to be sweet, which it is. This makes it one of the most flavorful super-hot peppers.

Here are some recipes to best enjoy the Carolina Reaper:

-       Roasted Carolina Reaper Salsa: if you like your salsa extra hot—this is the salsa for you! Perfect for an appetizer or topping for your favorite meal!

-       Sweet & Spicy Carolina Reaper Wings: these wings aren’t messing around, they pack some heat.

HABANERO:

The Habanero is the hottest pepper that is truly commercially available. It is extremely popular as the main ingredient to create hot sauces, snacks, and gourmet foods. This is not only due to the heat it holds, but the flavor that goes along with it. This hot chili pepper is very aromatic, and the taste is fruity, with some people describing it as tropical.

You can best enjoy this hot pepper pickled for a snack, in chili powder, or added to stir fry for extra heat!

TABASCO:

You know this one—the famous Tabasco® sauce is made from and named after it. It also goes by the name Malagueta, a chile that is widely used in Brazil, Mozambique, and Portugal. The little peppers are about an inch and a half long, and they have incredible juiciness and tomato-like smoky flavor.

You probably enjoy Tabasco sauce frequently, but have you ever wondered what other amazing ways you can enjoy this popular pepper?

Tabasco peppers are also popular pickled or turned into Jellies. If you want to get your hands on some of our Tabasco products, you can learn more here.

SCOTCH BONNET:

The flavor is sweet and tropical, like an apricot. If you are looking for a pepper to give a smaller kick than an Habanero, but all of the flavor. With even more sweetness and aroma, the Scotch Bonnet is a wonderful pepper.

Scotch Bonnets are popular in Jamaican cuisine. If you’re ready to test the heat of this spicy pepper, you can enjoy it in the form of a chicken rub! Transport yourself to the Caribbean with a mouthful of this fiery hot pepper.

Try this Jamaican Jerk Chicken to get your spice on.

ROCOTO:

The Rocoto has walls as thick as bell pepper, and it can top out at Habanero level spiciness. Its taste and aroma, however, are vastly different from other hot chili peppers of this heat level. The Rocoto is a staple for many South American cuisines.

Fun Fact: Rocoto peppers have black seeds!

One of the best ways to enjoy this spicy pepper is in a unique Peruvian recipe: Rocoto Pepper Sauce. It’s a creamy sweet sauce that pairs well with chicken and almost any other dish.

Did we miss one of your favorite peppers?

Don’t hesitate to take a look at our Pepper offering here, and contact us to learn more ways to use our products!