Chile Pepper Heat Index

1 of 5 Photo: Randy Mayor

Chile Pepper Heat

Think all chile peppers pack the heat? Think again. Sure, spicy habaneros are off the charts, but you might be surprised to learn that some varieties claim a quite polar flavor DNA. Whether you are serving crudités or making a spicy salsa, here you will find the right amount of heat (or lack thereof) to give your latest culinary creation just the kick it needs.

2 of 5 Photo: Randy Mayor

Mild/Sweet

Serve fresh or blistered in salads or solo. Other varieties: gypsy, cherry, Padrón.

3 of 5 Photo: Randy Mayor

Medium

Use to make salsa and pickled or stuffed peppers. Other varieties: hatch (also called New Mexico chile), Hungarian wax.

4 of 5 Photo: Randy Mayor

Hot

Use these hot chile peppers to make spicy salsa, curries, sauces, soups, or noodles. Other varieties: yellow chile, cayenne.

5 of 5 Photo: Randy Mayor

Off the Charts!

Other scorchers: Scotch bonnet, Bhut Jolokia (ghost chiles).