Popular Peppers

Not all chiles are created equally. Each of these six peppers has a unique flavor, and a lot of heat.

Chiles make the chili. Here are favored hot pepper varieties cited by contestants in the Great Miller Lite Chili Cook-Off. Scoville units measure each chile's heat level; the higher the number, the hotter the chile. For perspective, a bell pepper registers 0 Scoville units.

 Pasilla―Most often dried, this pepper gives chili a deep reddish-black color and smoky flavor.
 4,000 Scoville units

 Chile de arbol― This hot, slender, bright red pepper is related to cayenne. In powdered form, it can crank up the fire in a chili powder mix.
 23,000 Scoville units

 New Mexican chiles―Many cultivars of this pod―often found dried― are used in chile verde.
 4,500-5,000 Scoville units

 Serrano―This small, hot chile is prized for its "back heat" that registers at the back of the throat.
 25,000 Scoville units

 Jalapeño―The most widely used hot pepper adds a bright, forward heat. Pickled jalapeño rings can show up among chili toppings.
 5,500 Scoville units

 Habanero―Some chili cooks cautiously add habanero―the hottest chile around―or a habanero hot sauce to their recipes. This pepper has distinct sweetness but intensely hot spice. Tip: Orange habaneros are hotter than red ones.
 150,000-210,000+ Scoville units

Printed from:
http://www.cookinglight.com/cooking-101/essential-ingredients/popular-peppers-00400000023760/