๐ถ๏ธ Pepper Vocab
Pepper names can describe heat level, shape, color, ripeness, flavor, or the way a pepper is usually cooked. Some peppers, such as bell peppers, are sweet and have almost no chile heat. Others, including jalapeรฑos and serranos, are familiar everyday hot peppers. Habaneros and Scotch bonnets combine intense heat with a noticeable fruity aroma, while peppers such as ghost peppers and Carolina Reapers belong to the much more extreme superhot category. It is also important to remember that color alone does not reliably tell you how hot a pepper will be.
๐ซ Sweet & Mild
๐ซ Bell Pepper
large thick-walled sweet pepper with little or no chile heat
Example: She diced red and yellow bell peppers for the salad.
๐ซ๐ท French: Poivron
๐ฉ๐ช German: Paprika / Paprikaschote
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperone
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimentรฃo
๐ก Nuance: Bell peppers are usually blocky and thick-walled. Green bell peppers are generally less ripe and taste more grassy or bitter, while red, yellow, and orange peppers tend to taste sweeter.
large thick-walled sweet pepper with little or no chile heat
Example: She diced red and yellow bell peppers for the salad.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Pimiento / pimentรณn๐ซ๐ท French: Poivron
๐ฉ๐ช German: Paprika / Paprikaschote
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperone
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimentรฃo
๐ก Nuance: Bell peppers are usually blocky and thick-walled. Green bell peppers are generally less ripe and taste more grassy or bitter, while red, yellow, and orange peppers tend to taste sweeter.
๐ก Cubanelle Pepper
long, thin-walled, usually mild pepper commonly sautรฉed, fried, or roasted
Example: The cubanelle peppers softened quickly in the skillet because their walls were thin.
๐ซ๐ท French: Cubanelle
๐ฉ๐ช German: Cubanelle
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Cubanelle / friggitello (similar job)
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Cubanelle
๐ก Nuance: Cubanelles are often called frying peppers because their thin walls cook quickly. They are usually milder and thinner than poblanos or Anaheim chiles.
long, thin-walled, usually mild pepper commonly sautรฉed, fried, or roasted
Example: The cubanelle peppers softened quickly in the skillet because their walls were thin.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Cubanelle / ajรญ cubanela๐ซ๐ท French: Cubanelle
๐ฉ๐ช German: Cubanelle
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Cubanelle / friggitello (similar job)
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Cubanelle
๐ก Nuance: Cubanelles are often called frying peppers because their thin walls cook quickly. They are usually milder and thinner than poblanos or Anaheim chiles.
๐ Banana Pepper
long pale yellow pepper that is usually mild and often sold pickled
Example: Pickled banana pepper rings added acidity and mild sweetness to the sandwich.
๐ซ๐ท French: Piment banane
๐ฉ๐ช German: Bananenpaprika
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperone banana
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimentรฃo banana
๐ก Nuance: Banana peppers can look very similar to Hungarian wax peppers. Banana peppers are usually mild, while wax peppers are more likely to have noticeable heat.
long pale yellow pepper that is usually mild and often sold pickled
Example: Pickled banana pepper rings added acidity and mild sweetness to the sandwich.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Pimiento banana๐ซ๐ท French: Piment banane
๐ฉ๐ช German: Bananenpaprika
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperone banana
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimentรฃo banana
๐ก Nuance: Banana peppers can look very similar to Hungarian wax peppers. Banana peppers are usually mild, while wax peppers are more likely to have noticeable heat.
๐ฅ Piquillo Pepper
small sweet red Spanish pepper commonly roasted, peeled, and packed in jars
Example: The jarred piquillo peppers were already roasted and ready to stuff.
๐ซ๐ท French: Piquillo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Piquillo
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Piquillo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Piquillo
๐ก Nuance: Piquillos are valued more for sweetness and roasted flavor than heat. Their name refers to their small pointed or beak-like shape.
small sweet red Spanish pepper commonly roasted, peeled, and packed in jars
Example: The jarred piquillo peppers were already roasted and ready to stuff.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Pimiento del piquillo๐ซ๐ท French: Piquillo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Piquillo
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Piquillo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Piquillo
๐ก Nuance: Piquillos are valued more for sweetness and roasted flavor than heat. Their name refers to their small pointed or beak-like shape.
๐ฉ Anaheim Pepper
long mild green chile commonly roasted, chopped, stuffed, or used in sauces
Example: She roasted Anaheim chiles for a mild green sauce.
๐ซ๐ท French: Piment Anaheim
๐ฉ๐ช German: Anaheim-Chili
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperoncino Anaheim
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimenta Anaheim
๐ก Nuance: Anaheim peppers are generally long and relatively mild. Poblanos are usually wider, darker, and especially familiar as whole stuffed chiles.
long mild green chile commonly roasted, chopped, stuffed, or used in sauces
Example: She roasted Anaheim chiles for a mild green sauce.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Chile Anaheim๐ซ๐ท French: Piment Anaheim
๐ฉ๐ช German: Anaheim-Chili
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperoncino Anaheim
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimenta Anaheim
๐ก Nuance: Anaheim peppers are generally long and relatively mild. Poblanos are usually wider, darker, and especially familiar as whole stuffed chiles.
๐ข Poblano
large dark-green Mexican chile with mild-to-medium heat, often roasted or stuffed
Example: She roasted the poblanos before filling them for chiles rellenos.
๐ซ๐ท French: Poblano
๐ฉ๐ช German: Poblano
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Poblano
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Poblano
๐ก Nuance: A fresh poblano becomes an ancho chile when dried. This fresh-vs.-dried name change is an important piece of Mexican chile vocabulary.
large dark-green Mexican chile with mild-to-medium heat, often roasted or stuffed
Example: She roasted the poblanos before filling them for chiles rellenos.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Poblano๐ซ๐ท French: Poblano
๐ฉ๐ช German: Poblano
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Poblano
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Poblano
๐ก Nuance: A fresh poblano becomes an ancho chile when dried. This fresh-vs.-dried name change is an important piece of Mexican chile vocabulary.
๐ถ๏ธ Everyday Heat
๐ถ๏ธ Jalapeรฑo
medium-hot Mexican chile with a crisp texture and fresh grassy flavor
Example: She sliced fresh jalapeรฑos over the nachos for moderate heat.
๐ซ๐ท French: Jalapeรฑo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Jalapeรฑo
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Jalapeรฑo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Jalapeรฑo
๐ก Nuance: Jalapeรฑo is a useful reference point for familiar medium chile heat. When a jalapeรฑo is smoked and dried, it is called a chipotle.
medium-hot Mexican chile with a crisp texture and fresh grassy flavor
Example: She sliced fresh jalapeรฑos over the nachos for moderate heat.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Jalapeรฑo๐ซ๐ท French: Jalapeรฑo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Jalapeรฑo
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Jalapeรฑo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Jalapeรฑo
๐ก Nuance: Jalapeรฑo is a useful reference point for familiar medium chile heat. When a jalapeรฑo is smoked and dried, it is called a chipotle.
๐ข Serrano
small narrow Mexican chile with bright flavor and usually more heat than a jalapeรฑo
Example: The salsa used serranos because the cook wanted more heat than a jalapeรฑo would provide.
๐ซ๐ท French: Serrano
๐ฉ๐ช German: Serrano
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Serrano
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Serrano
๐ก Nuance: Serranos are generally thinner and hotter than jalapeรฑos but still belong to familiar everyday salsa heat rather than the much hotter habanero category.
small narrow Mexican chile with bright flavor and usually more heat than a jalapeรฑo
Example: The salsa used serranos because the cook wanted more heat than a jalapeรฑo would provide.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Serrano๐ซ๐ท French: Serrano
๐ฉ๐ช German: Serrano
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Serrano
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Serrano
๐ก Nuance: Serranos are generally thinner and hotter than jalapeรฑos but still belong to familiar everyday salsa heat rather than the much hotter habanero category.
๐ด Fresno Pepper
medium-hot chile that commonly ripens red and has a bright, slightly fruity flavor
Example: The red Fresno peppers added color and moderate heat to the sauce.
๐ซ๐ท French: Piment Fresno
๐ฉ๐ช German: Fresno-Chili
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperoncino Fresno
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimenta Fresno
๐ก Nuance: Fresno peppers are often compared with jalapeรฑos because they occupy a similar general heat range. Ripe red Fresnos tend to taste somewhat fruitier.
medium-hot chile that commonly ripens red and has a bright, slightly fruity flavor
Example: The red Fresno peppers added color and moderate heat to the sauce.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Chile Fresno๐ซ๐ท French: Piment Fresno
๐ฉ๐ช German: Fresno-Chili
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperoncino Fresno
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimenta Fresno
๐ก Nuance: Fresno peppers are often compared with jalapeรฑos because they occupy a similar general heat range. Ripe red Fresnos tend to taste somewhat fruitier.
ใฐ๏ธ Cayenne Pepper
long thin hot chile commonly dried and ground into red cayenne powder
Example: The recipe needed only a small pinch of ground cayenne to increase the heat.
๐ซ๐ท French: Piment de Cayenne
๐ฉ๐ช German: Cayennepfeffer
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperoncino cayenne
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimenta-caiena
๐ก Nuance: In everyday English, cayenne pepper often refers to the ground red powder. The fresh chile itself is long, narrow, and considerably hotter than a typical bell pepper.
long thin hot chile commonly dried and ground into red cayenne powder
Example: The recipe needed only a small pinch of ground cayenne to increase the heat.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Cayena๐ซ๐ท French: Piment de Cayenne
๐ฉ๐ช German: Cayennepfeffer
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperoncino cayenne
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimenta-caiena
๐ก Nuance: In everyday English, cayenne pepper often refers to the ground red powder. The fresh chile itself is long, narrow, and considerably hotter than a typical bell pepper.
๐จ Hungarian Wax Pepper
long yellow chile whose heat can range from mild to distinctly hot
Example: The Hungarian wax pepper looked like a banana pepper but tasted much hotter.
๐ซ๐ท French: Piment cirรฉ hongrois
๐ฉ๐ช German: Ungarischer Wachspfeffer
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperone cera ungherese
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimenta-cera hรบngara
๐ก Nuance: Yellow color does not guarantee mildness. Hungarian wax peppers are an important lookalike for banana peppers because their shape and color can be very similar.
long yellow chile whose heat can range from mild to distinctly hot
Example: The Hungarian wax pepper looked like a banana pepper but tasted much hotter.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Chile cera hรบngaro๐ซ๐ท French: Piment cirรฉ hongrois
๐ฉ๐ช German: Ungarischer Wachspfeffer
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperone cera ungherese
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimenta-cera hรบngara
๐ก Nuance: Yellow color does not guarantee mildness. Hungarian wax peppers are an important lookalike for banana peppers because their shape and color can be very similar.
๐ Cherry Pepper
small round pepper that may be sweet, mild, or hot depending on the variety
Example: She checked the jar to see whether the pickled cherry peppers were sweet or hot.
๐ซ๐ท French: Piment cerise
๐ฉ๐ช German: Kirschpaprika
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperone ciliegia
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimenta-cereja
๐ก Nuance: Cherry pepper primarily describes the small round shape. Because different cherry-pepper varieties have different heat levels, the package label matters.
small round pepper that may be sweet, mild, or hot depending on the variety
Example: She checked the jar to see whether the pickled cherry peppers were sweet or hot.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Pimiento cereza๐ซ๐ท French: Piment cerise
๐ฉ๐ช German: Kirschpaprika
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperone ciliegia
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimenta-cereja
๐ก Nuance: Cherry pepper primarily describes the small round shape. Because different cherry-pepper varieties have different heat levels, the package label matters.
๐ฒ Mildโฆ Usually
๐ฏ๐ต Shishito Pepper
small Japanese pepper that is usually mild and commonly blistered or grilled whole
Example: The shishito peppers were blistered in a hot pan and finished with salt.
๐ซ๐ท French: Shishito
๐ฉ๐ช German: Shishito
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Shishito
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Shishito
๐ก Nuance: Most shishitos are mild, but individual peppers can occasionally be noticeably hotter. To blister means to cook over high heat until the skin develops browned or charred bubbles.
small Japanese pepper that is usually mild and commonly blistered or grilled whole
Example: The shishito peppers were blistered in a hot pan and finished with salt.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Shishito๐ซ๐ท French: Shishito
๐ฉ๐ช German: Shishito
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Shishito
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Shishito
๐ก Nuance: Most shishitos are mild, but individual peppers can occasionally be noticeably hotter. To blister means to cook over high heat until the skin develops browned or charred bubbles.
๐ช๐ธ Padrรณn Pepper
small Spanish pepper usually fried or blistered whole, with unpredictable heat from pepper to pepper
Example: The Padrรณn peppers were served blistered with olive oil and coarse salt.
๐ซ๐ท French: Piment de Padrรณn
๐ฉ๐ช German: Padrรณn-Paprika
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperone Padrรณn
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimento de Padrรณn
๐ก Nuance: Like shishitos, most Padrรณn peppers are mild but some are hotter. The two peppers belong to different culinary traditions even though the serving style can look similar.
small Spanish pepper usually fried or blistered whole, with unpredictable heat from pepper to pepper
Example: The Padrรณn peppers were served blistered with olive oil and coarse salt.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Pimiento de Padrรณn๐ซ๐ท French: Piment de Padrรณn
๐ฉ๐ช German: Padrรณn-Paprika
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperone Padrรณn
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimento de Padrรณn
๐ก Nuance: Like shishitos, most Padrรณn peppers are mild but some are hotter. The two peppers belong to different culinary traditions even though the serving style can look similar.
๐ Fruity Heat
๐งก Habanero
small very hot chile with a distinctive fruity and floral aroma
Example: She used only part of one habanero to give the salsa intense heat and fruity flavor.
๐ซ๐ท French: Habanero
๐ฉ๐ช German: Habanero
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Habanero
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Habanero
๐ก Nuance: Habaneros are much hotter than jalapeรฑos or serranos, but they are also valued for their tropical fruity aroma. Heat is not their only flavor characteristic.
small very hot chile with a distinctive fruity and floral aroma
Example: She used only part of one habanero to give the salsa intense heat and fruity flavor.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Habanero๐ซ๐ท French: Habanero
๐ฉ๐ช German: Habanero
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Habanero
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Habanero
๐ก Nuance: Habaneros are much hotter than jalapeรฑos or serranos, but they are also valued for their tropical fruity aroma. Heat is not their only flavor characteristic.
๐ฏ๐ฒ Scotch Bonnet
very hot Caribbean chile with a fruity, aromatic flavor
Example: Scotch bonnet gave the jerk marinade both intense heat and a fruity aroma.
๐ซ๐ท French: Scotch bonnet
๐ฉ๐ช German: Scotch Bonnet
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Scotch bonnet
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Scotch bonnet
๐ก Nuance: Scotch bonnets are closely associated with Caribbean cooking and occupy a similar general heat range to habaneros. Their flattened, wrinkled shape inspired the name bonnet.
very hot Caribbean chile with a fruity, aromatic flavor
Example: Scotch bonnet gave the jerk marinade both intense heat and a fruity aroma.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Scotch bonnet๐ซ๐ท French: Scotch bonnet
๐ฉ๐ช German: Scotch Bonnet
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Scotch bonnet
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Scotch bonnet
๐ก Nuance: Scotch bonnets are closely associated with Caribbean cooking and occupy a similar general heat range to habaneros. Their flattened, wrinkled shape inspired the name bonnet.
๐ซ Chocolate Habanero
dark-brown habanero type with very high heat and a rich fruity aroma
Example: The chocolate habanero ripened to a deep brown color but did not taste like chocolate.
๐ซ๐ท French: Habanero chocolat
๐ฉ๐ช German: Schokoladen-Habanero
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Habanero chocolate
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Habanero chocolate
๐ก Nuance: Here, chocolate describes the dark brown color, not a cocoa flavor. It remains a very hot habanero-type pepper.
dark-brown habanero type with very high heat and a rich fruity aroma
Example: The chocolate habanero ripened to a deep brown color but did not taste like chocolate.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Habanero chocolate๐ซ๐ท French: Habanero chocolat
๐ฉ๐ช German: Schokoladen-Habanero
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Habanero chocolate
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Habanero chocolate
๐ก Nuance: Here, chocolate describes the dark brown color, not a cocoa flavor. It remains a very hot habanero-type pepper.
๐ต๐ช Aji Amarillo
yellow-orange Peruvian chile with medium heat and a bright fruity flavor
Example: Aji amarillo paste gave the sauce its characteristic golden color and fruity chile flavor.
๐ซ๐ท French: Aji amarillo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Aji Amarillo
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Aji amarillo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Aji amarillo
๐ก Nuance: Amarillo means yellow in Spanish. Aji amarillo has real heat, but its fruity flavor is just as important to many Peruvian dishes.
yellow-orange Peruvian chile with medium heat and a bright fruity flavor
Example: Aji amarillo paste gave the sauce its characteristic golden color and fruity chile flavor.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Ajรญ amarillo๐ซ๐ท French: Aji amarillo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Aji Amarillo
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Aji amarillo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Aji amarillo
๐ก Nuance: Amarillo means yellow in Spanish. Aji amarillo has real heat, but its fruity flavor is just as important to many Peruvian dishes.
๐ค Aji Panca
mild Peruvian chile with a deep red-brown color and rich fruity flavor
Example: The cook used aji panca paste to add depth and color without overwhelming heat.
๐ซ๐ท French: Aji panca
๐ฉ๐ช German: Aji Panca
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Aji panca
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Aji panca
๐ก Nuance: Aji panca is especially useful when a recipe needs chile flavor, color, and fruitiness without extreme heat.
mild Peruvian chile with a deep red-brown color and rich fruity flavor
Example: The cook used aji panca paste to add depth and color without overwhelming heat.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Ajรญ panca๐ซ๐ท French: Aji panca
๐ฉ๐ช German: Aji Panca
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Aji panca
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Aji panca
๐ก Nuance: Aji panca is especially useful when a recipe needs chile flavor, color, and fruitiness without extreme heat.
๐ฒ๐ฝ Guajillo Pepper
Mexican dried red chile with moderate heat and fruity, tangy flavor
Example: She soaked the dried guajillos in hot water before blending them into the sauce.
๐ซ๐ท French: Guajillo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Guajillo
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Guajillo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Guajillo
๐ก Nuance: Guajillo is especially familiar as a dried chile used in sauces, marinades, and stews. It brings moderate warmth rather than superhot intensity.
Mexican dried red chile with moderate heat and fruity, tangy flavor
Example: She soaked the dried guajillos in hot water before blending them into the sauce.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Guajillo๐ซ๐ท French: Guajillo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Guajillo
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Guajillo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Guajillo
๐ก Nuance: Guajillo is especially familiar as a dried chile used in sauces, marinades, and stews. It brings moderate warmth rather than superhot intensity.
๐ฅ Small Fire & Superhots
๐น๐ญ Thai Chili
small slender hot chile commonly used in Southeast Asian cooking
Example: She sliced one Thai chili into the stir-fry because a small amount provided plenty of heat.
๐ซ๐ท French: Piment thaรฏ
๐ฉ๐ช German: Thai-Chili
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperoncino thai
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimenta tailandesa
๐ก Nuance: The English label Thai chili can cover several small hot chiles. It often overlaps with the term bird's eye chili in grocery and restaurant contexts.
small slender hot chile commonly used in Southeast Asian cooking
Example: She sliced one Thai chili into the stir-fry because a small amount provided plenty of heat.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Chile tailandรฉs๐ซ๐ท French: Piment thaรฏ
๐ฉ๐ช German: Thai-Chili
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperoncino thai
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimenta tailandesa
๐ก Nuance: The English label Thai chili can cover several small hot chiles. It often overlaps with the term bird's eye chili in grocery and restaurant contexts.
๐ฆ Bird's Eye Chili
small intensely hot chile name used for several closely related hot peppers in Asian and African cooking
Example: The raw bird's eye chilies made the dipping sauce intensely hot.
๐ซ๐ท French: Piment oiseau
๐ฉ๐ช German: Vogelaugen-Chili
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperoncino occhio di uccello
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimenta-olho-de-pรกssaro
๐ก Nuance: Bird's eye is a broad common name rather than one perfectly standardized grocery variety. The key learner clues are small size and strong heat.
small intensely hot chile name used for several closely related hot peppers in Asian and African cooking
Example: The raw bird's eye chilies made the dipping sauce intensely hot.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Chile ojo de pรกjaro๐ซ๐ท French: Piment oiseau
๐ฉ๐ช German: Vogelaugen-Chili
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperoncino occhio di uccello
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimenta-olho-de-pรกssaro
๐ก Nuance: Bird's eye is a broad common name rather than one perfectly standardized grocery variety. The key learner clues are small size and strong heat.
๐ฒ๐ฝ Pequin Pepper
tiny hot Mexican chile with a sharp, bright heat
Example: A small amount of crushed pequin added a strong chile kick to the oil.
๐ซ๐ท French: Piment pequin
๐ฉ๐ช German: Pequin-Chili
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperoncino pequin
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimenta pequin
๐ก Nuance: Pequin peppers are tiny but hot. They are related in appearance and culinary use to chiltepin, though chiltepin is rounder and associated with wild populations.
tiny hot Mexican chile with a sharp, bright heat
Example: A small amount of crushed pequin added a strong chile kick to the oil.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Chile piquรญn / pequรญn๐ซ๐ท French: Piment pequin
๐ฉ๐ช German: Pequin-Chili
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Peperoncino pequin
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimenta pequin
๐ก Nuance: Pequin peppers are tiny but hot. They are related in appearance and culinary use to chiltepin, though chiltepin is rounder and associated with wild populations.
โช Chiltepin
tiny round wild chile associated with Mexico and the southwestern United States
Example: The crushed chiltepin produced an immediate sharp burst of heat.
๐ซ๐ท French: Chiltepin
๐ฉ๐ช German: Chiltepin
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Chiltepin
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Chiltepin
๐ก Nuance: Chiltepin peppers are small and nearly round. Their heat is often described as arriving quickly rather than building as gradually as some larger hot peppers.
tiny round wild chile associated with Mexico and the southwestern United States
Example: The crushed chiltepin produced an immediate sharp burst of heat.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Chiltepรญn / chile tepรญn๐ซ๐ท French: Chiltepin
๐ฉ๐ช German: Chiltepin
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Chiltepin
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Chiltepin
๐ก Nuance: Chiltepin peppers are small and nearly round. Their heat is often described as arriving quickly rather than building as gradually as some larger hot peppers.
๐ป Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
extremely hot chile associated with northeastern India and the superhot category
Example: The sauce used only a tiny amount of ghost pepper because the chile is extremely hot.
๐ซ๐ท French: Piment fantรดme
๐ฉ๐ช German: Geisterchili
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Ghost pepper
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimenta-fantasma
๐ก Nuance: Ghost pepper belongs to the superhot category. It should not be treated as an ordinary substitute for jalapeรฑo, serrano, or other everyday chiles.
extremely hot chile associated with northeastern India and the superhot category
Example: The sauce used only a tiny amount of ghost pepper because the chile is extremely hot.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Chile fantasma / bhut jolokia๐ซ๐ท French: Piment fantรดme
๐ฉ๐ช German: Geisterchili
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Ghost pepper
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pimenta-fantasma
๐ก Nuance: Ghost pepper belongs to the superhot category. It should not be treated as an ordinary substitute for jalapeรฑo, serrano, or other everyday chiles.
๐ Carolina Reaper
extremely hot cultivated chile known for intense heat and a distinctive pointed tail
Example: The hot sauce used Carolina Reaper in very small quantities.
๐ซ๐ท French: Carolina Reaper
๐ฉ๐ช German: Carolina Reaper
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Carolina Reaper
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Carolina Reaper
๐ก Nuance: The Reaper is another superhot pepper. Its wrinkled surface and pointed tail are useful visual clues, but its extreme heat is the most important practical distinction.
extremely hot cultivated chile known for intense heat and a distinctive pointed tail
Example: The hot sauce used Carolina Reaper in very small quantities.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Carolina Reaper๐ซ๐ท French: Carolina Reaper
๐ฉ๐ช German: Carolina Reaper
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Carolina Reaper
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Carolina Reaper
๐ก Nuance: The Reaper is another superhot pepper. Its wrinkled surface and pointed tail are useful visual clues, but its extreme heat is the most important practical distinction.
๐ฆ Trinidad Scorpion
extremely hot Caribbean chile associated with Trinidad and Tobago
Example: The Trinidad Scorpion sauce delivered intense heat from a very small amount of pepper.
๐ซ๐ท French: Trinidad Scorpion
๐ฉ๐ช German: Trinidad Scorpion
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Trinidad Scorpion
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Trinidad Scorpion
๐ก Nuance: The name scorpion refers to the pointed shape seen on some fruits. It belongs to the same practical superhot category as ghost peppers, Reapers, and 7 Pot peppers.
extremely hot Caribbean chile associated with Trinidad and Tobago
Example: The Trinidad Scorpion sauce delivered intense heat from a very small amount of pepper.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Trinidad Scorpion๐ซ๐ท French: Trinidad Scorpion
๐ฉ๐ช German: Trinidad Scorpion
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Trinidad Scorpion
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Trinidad Scorpion
๐ก Nuance: The name scorpion refers to the pointed shape seen on some fruits. It belongs to the same practical superhot category as ghost peppers, Reapers, and 7 Pot peppers.
7๏ธโฃ 7 Pot Pepper
family of extremely hot Caribbean chiles associated especially with Trinidad
Example: A very small amount of 7 Pot pepper was enough to make the entire stew extremely hot.
๐ซ๐ท French: 7 pot
๐ฉ๐ช German: 7 Pot
๐ฎ๐น Italian: 7 pot
๐ต๐น Portuguese: 7 pot
๐ก Nuance: The traditional name suggests that one pepper can season several pots of food. The useful learner point is that 7 Pot peppers belong to the extreme superhot category.
family of extremely hot Caribbean chiles associated especially with Trinidad
Example: A very small amount of 7 Pot pepper was enough to make the entire stew extremely hot.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Chile 7 pot๐ซ๐ท French: 7 pot
๐ฉ๐ช German: 7 Pot
๐ฎ๐น Italian: 7 pot
๐ต๐น Portuguese: 7 pot
๐ก Nuance: The traditional name suggests that one pepper can season several pots of food. The useful learner point is that 7 Pot peppers belong to the extreme superhot category.
๐ค Rocoto
thick-fleshed South American chile with significant heat and distinctive black seeds
Example: When she cut the rocoto open, the black seeds immediately distinguished it from an ordinary bell pepper.
๐ซ๐ท French: Rocoto
๐ฉ๐ช German: Rocoto
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Rocoto
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Rocoto
๐ก Nuance: Rocotos are unusual because they have thick flesh and dark seeds. Their rounded, apple-like appearance can be misleading because they are genuinely hot.
thick-fleshed South American chile with significant heat and distinctive black seeds
Example: When she cut the rocoto open, the black seeds immediately distinguished it from an ordinary bell pepper.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Rocoto / locoto๐ซ๐ท French: Rocoto
๐ฉ๐ช German: Rocoto
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Rocoto
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Rocoto
๐ก Nuance: Rocotos are unusual because they have thick flesh and dark seeds. Their rounded, apple-like appearance can be misleading because they are genuinely hot.
๐ Manzano Pepper
thick-fleshed hot chile with black seeds and a rounded apple-like shape
Example: The manzano looked round and fruity, but its black seeds and strong heat gave it away.
๐ซ๐ท French: Manzano
๐ฉ๐ช German: Manzano
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Manzano
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Manzano
๐ก Nuance: Manzano refers to the apple-like appearance. Manzano peppers are closely related in practical kitchen terms to rocotos: both are thick-fleshed, hot, and notable for black seeds.
thick-fleshed hot chile with black seeds and a rounded apple-like shape
Example: The manzano looked round and fruity, but its black seeds and strong heat gave it away.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Chile manzano๐ซ๐ท French: Manzano
๐ฉ๐ช German: Manzano
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Manzano
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Manzano
๐ก Nuance: Manzano refers to the apple-like appearance. Manzano peppers are closely related in practical kitchen terms to rocotos: both are thick-fleshed, hot, and notable for black seeds.
๐ง Useful Distinctions
๐ซ Bell vs. ๐ก Cubanelle vs. ๐ Banana vs. ๐จ Hungarian Wax
Bell peppers are blocky, thick-walled, and sweet. Cubanelles are thinner frying peppers. Banana peppers are long, pale, and usually mild, especially when pickled. Hungarian wax peppers can look very similar to banana peppers but are more likely to be noticeably hot.
Bell peppers are blocky, thick-walled, and sweet. Cubanelles are thinner frying peppers. Banana peppers are long, pale, and usually mild, especially when pickled. Hungarian wax peppers can look very similar to banana peppers but are more likely to be noticeably hot.
๐ถ๏ธ Jalapeรฑo vs. ๐ข Serrano vs. ๐ด Fresno vs. ใฐ๏ธ Cayenne
Jalapeรฑo is a useful reference point for moderate everyday heat. Serrano is thinner and usually hotter. Fresno often ripens red and has a slightly fruitier character. Cayenne is a long thin hotter chile whose name is especially familiar from ground cayenne powder.
Jalapeรฑo is a useful reference point for moderate everyday heat. Serrano is thinner and usually hotter. Fresno often ripens red and has a slightly fruitier character. Cayenne is a long thin hotter chile whose name is especially familiar from ground cayenne powder.
๐ข Poblano vs. ๐ฉ Anaheim
Poblanos are wider, darker, and especially familiar for roasting and stuffing. When dried, a poblano is called an ancho. Anaheim peppers are longer and usually milder.
Poblanos are wider, darker, and especially familiar for roasting and stuffing. When dried, a poblano is called an ancho. Anaheim peppers are longer and usually milder.
๐ฏ๐ต Shishito vs. ๐ช๐ธ Padrรณn
Both are commonly cooked whole over high heat until blistered and served with salt. Most are mild, but individual peppers can occasionally be hotter than expected.
Both are commonly cooked whole over high heat until blistered and served with salt. Most are mild, but individual peppers can occasionally be hotter than expected.
๐งก Habanero vs. ๐ฏ๐ฒ Scotch Bonnet vs. ๐ซ Chocolate Habanero
All belong to a very hot, fruity group. Habanero is the broad familiar name. Scotch bonnet is especially associated with Caribbean cooking and has a distinctive flattened shape. Chocolate habanero refers to a dark-brown habanero type, not a chocolate-flavored pepper.
All belong to a very hot, fruity group. Habanero is the broad familiar name. Scotch bonnet is especially associated with Caribbean cooking and has a distinctive flattened shape. Chocolate habanero refers to a dark-brown habanero type, not a chocolate-flavored pepper.
๐ต๐ช Aji Amarillo vs. ๐ค Aji Panca vs. ๐ฒ๐ฝ Guajillo
These peppers are valued for flavor as well as heat. Aji amarillo is yellow-orange, fruity, and moderately hot. Aji panca is darker and milder. Guajillo is a Mexican dried red chile with tangy, fruity warmth.
These peppers are valued for flavor as well as heat. Aji amarillo is yellow-orange, fruity, and moderately hot. Aji panca is darker and milder. Guajillo is a Mexican dried red chile with tangy, fruity warmth.
๐ป Ghost vs. ๐ Carolina Reaper vs. ๐ฆ Trinidad Scorpion vs. 7๏ธโฃ 7 Pot
These belong to the superhot category. They are dramatically hotter than jalapeรฑos, serranos, and most ordinary cooking chiles, so recipes use them in much smaller quantities.
These belong to the superhot category. They are dramatically hotter than jalapeรฑos, serranos, and most ordinary cooking chiles, so recipes use them in much smaller quantities.
๐ค Rocoto vs. ๐ Manzano
Both have thick flesh, genuine heat, and distinctive black seeds. Their rounded apple-like shapes do not mean they are sweet peppers.
Both have thick flesh, genuine heat, and distinctive black seeds. Their rounded apple-like shapes do not mean they are sweet peppers.
๐ฌ Everyday Pepper Phrases
๐ถ๏ธ I want jalapeรฑo-level heat, not the much stronger heat of a habanero.
asking for moderate rather than very hot chile heat
๐ซ๐ท Je veux une chaleur du niveau du jalapeรฑo, pas la chaleur beaucoup plus forte dโun habanero.
๐ฉ๐ช Ich mรถchte Schรคrfe auf Jalapeรฑo-Niveau, nicht die viel stรคrkere Schรคrfe einer Habanero.
๐ฎ๐น Voglio un piccante da jalapeรฑo, non il piccante molto piรน forte di un habanero.
๐ต๐น Quero uma ardรชncia no nรญvel do jalapeรฑo, nรฃo a ardรชncia muito mais forte de um habanero.
asking for moderate rather than very hot chile heat
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Quiero un picante del nivel del jalapeรฑo, no el picante mucho mรกs fuerte de un habanero.๐ซ๐ท Je veux une chaleur du niveau du jalapeรฑo, pas la chaleur beaucoup plus forte dโun habanero.
๐ฉ๐ช Ich mรถchte Schรคrfe auf Jalapeรฑo-Niveau, nicht die viel stรคrkere Schรคrfe einer Habanero.
๐ฎ๐น Voglio un piccante da jalapeรฑo, non il piccante molto piรน forte di un habanero.
๐ต๐น Quero uma ardรชncia no nรญvel do jalapeรฑo, nรฃo a ardรชncia muito mais forte de um habanero.
๐ฒ Most shishitos are mild, but occasionally one pepper is much hotter than the others.
describing unpredictable heat within one batch
๐ซ๐ท La plupart des shishitos sont doux, mais il arrive quโun piment soit beaucoup plus fort que les autres.
๐ฉ๐ช Die meisten Shishitos sind mild, aber gelegentlich ist eine Schote deutlich schรคrfer als die anderen.
๐ฎ๐น La maggior parte degli shishito รจ delicata, ma ogni tanto un peperone รจ molto piรน piccante degli altri.
๐ต๐น A maioria dos shishitos รฉ suave, mas ร s vezes uma pimenta รฉ muito mais ardida que as outras.
describing unpredictable heat within one batch
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ La mayorรญa de los shishitos son suaves, pero de vez en cuando uno es mucho mรกs picante que los demรกs.๐ซ๐ท La plupart des shishitos sont doux, mais il arrive quโun piment soit beaucoup plus fort que les autres.
๐ฉ๐ช Die meisten Shishitos sind mild, aber gelegentlich ist eine Schote deutlich schรคrfer als die anderen.
๐ฎ๐น La maggior parte degli shishito รจ delicata, ma ogni tanto un peperone รจ molto piรน piccante degli altri.
๐ต๐น A maioria dos shishitos รฉ suave, mas ร s vezes uma pimenta รฉ muito mais ardida que as outras.
๐ป Ghost peppers and Reapers are superhots, so they are used in much smaller amounts than jalapeรฑos.
ordinary cooking chile vs. extreme heat category
๐ซ๐ท Les piments fantรดmes et les Reaper sont des superhots, donc on les utilise en quantitรฉs beaucoup plus petites que les jalapeรฑos.
๐ฉ๐ช Ghost Peppers und Reaper gehรถren zu den Superhots und werden deshalb in viel kleineren Mengen verwendet als Jalapeรฑos.
๐ฎ๐น I ghost pepper e i Reaper sono superhot, quindi si usano in quantitร molto piรน piccole dei jalapeรฑos.
๐ต๐น Ghost peppers e Reapers sรฃo superhots, por isso sรฃo usados em quantidades muito menores do que jalapeรฑos.
ordinary cooking chile vs. extreme heat category
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Los chiles fantasma y los Reaper son superpicantes, asรญ que se usan en cantidades mucho menores que los jalapeรฑos.๐ซ๐ท Les piments fantรดmes et les Reaper sont des superhots, donc on les utilise en quantitรฉs beaucoup plus petites que les jalapeรฑos.
๐ฉ๐ช Ghost Peppers und Reaper gehรถren zu den Superhots und werden deshalb in viel kleineren Mengen verwendet als Jalapeรฑos.
๐ฎ๐น I ghost pepper e i Reaper sono superhot, quindi si usano in quantitร molto piรน piccole dei jalapeรฑos.
๐ต๐น Ghost peppers e Reapers sรฃo superhots, por isso sรฃo usados em quantidades muito menores do que jalapeรฑos.
๐ Banana peppers and Hungarian wax peppers can look alike, so check the label before assuming they are mild.
two similar-looking yellow peppers with different heat expectations
๐ซ๐ท Les piments banane et les piments hongrois peuvent se ressembler, alors vรฉrifiez lโรฉtiquette avant de supposer quโils sont doux.
๐ฉ๐ช Banana Peppers und ungarische Wachspaprika kรถnnen รคhnlich aussehen, deshalb sollte man das Etikett prรผfen, bevor man annimmt, dass sie mild sind.
๐ฎ๐น I peperoni banana e i peperoni wax ungheresi possono assomigliarsi, quindi controlla lโetichetta prima di presumere che siano delicati.
๐ต๐น Pimentas banana e pimentas-cera hรบngaras podem parecer semelhantes, entรฃo verifique o rรณtulo antes de presumir que sรฃo suaves.
two similar-looking yellow peppers with different heat expectations
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Los pimientos banana y los pimientos cera hรบngaros pueden parecerse, asรญ que revisa la etiqueta antes de suponer que son suaves.๐ซ๐ท Les piments banane et les piments hongrois peuvent se ressembler, alors vรฉrifiez lโรฉtiquette avant de supposer quโils sont doux.
๐ฉ๐ช Banana Peppers und ungarische Wachspaprika kรถnnen รคhnlich aussehen, deshalb sollte man das Etikett prรผfen, bevor man annimmt, dass sie mild sind.
๐ฎ๐น I peperoni banana e i peperoni wax ungheresi possono assomigliarsi, quindi controlla lโetichetta prima di presumere che siano delicati.
๐ต๐น Pimentas banana e pimentas-cera hรบngaras podem parecer semelhantes, entรฃo verifique o rรณtulo antes de presumir que sรฃo suaves.
๐ Final Practice
English in the Real World:
Imagine you are shopping for peppers, ordering salsa, or following a recipe. Choose the pepper word that best fits each situation.
Imagine you are shopping for peppers, ordering salsa, or following a recipe. Choose the pepper word that best fits each situation.
Question 1 of 8
โ
Correct: 0
โ Questions: 0
๐ฏ Accuracy: 0%