Chiles: the world’s most popular spice

Is it any surprise that chiles are the world’s most popular spice? They put the zip in hot sauce, the zing in salsa, and the kick in kimchi. Where would Chinese stir-fries, Indian curries, and Thai salads be without them?

Flavor Profiles of Chiles 

But it’s not just about the heat. Chiles possess a wide range of flavors from the fruitiness of a fresh manzano to hints of chocolate in a chipotle and notes of licorice in a mulato. Think of the complex richness anchos, mulatos, and pasillas bring to the mole.  Chiles also accentuate the flavors of other ingredients, much like salt, adding depth to any dish. 

Chiles are Beautiful!

Chiles bring a flash of color to the table, making meals more appetizing as we eat with our eyes. Think of the beauty an egg yolk orange habanero or cherry red Chile de Arbol brings to soup, stews, or sauces. 

Health Benefits of Chiles

If you’re looking for a nutritious, low-calorie flavor booster, chiles are a great choice. They are rich in vitamin A and vitamin C and cholesterol-free.  Studies have found that they speed up metabolism and burn more calories - bonus!  
At Harvestime Foods, we carry fresh chiles with varying levels of heat (including jalapenos, serranos, poblanos, cubanelles, bananas, manzano, and habaneros). We also stock a wide selection of dried chilies so you can travel the globe. Our collection includes smoky chipotles and fiery chile Japones, which are essential to Szechuan cooking.  We also carry chipotles in tangy adobe sauce to enrich tacos, enliven dips, and spike barbeque sauce. 

Here are a few tips for selecting and preparing chiles:

When it comes to chiles size matters…in general the smaller the chile, the hotter it will be. 

If you want to dial down the heat in a chile, remove the seeds and ribs. That’s where the pungent heat-producing chemical capsaicin resides. 

To intensify the flavor of dried peppers, roast them in a cast iron just before use. This technique caramelizes their natural sugars and boosts their complexity.

 

Shop For Chiles

Jalapeño Peppers

Poblano Peppers

Serrano

Manzano Pepper