There are approximately 4,000 varieties of chile peppers in the world, with more being cultivated all the time. To help you navigate the spicy landscape, here are 10 types of peppers to know.
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1
Also called: Sweet pepper, sweet bell pepper Characteristics: Bell peppers aren't spicy, but they add color and sweetness to recipes. Scoville heat units: 0
BELL PEPPERS
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2
Also called: Yellow wax pepper Characteristics: Tangy and mild with a bright yellow color. A great source of Vitamin C. Scoville heat units: 0 to 500
BANANA PEPPERS
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3
Characteristics: Less flavorful yet spicier than jalapeños, they're good when you want to add a kick to a dish. Scoville heat units: 2,500 to 10,000
FRESNO PEPPERS
ANNA ALTENBURGER
4
Also called: Sweet Italian peppers, pepperoncini Characteristics: These guys are only slightly hotter than a bell pepper. Scoville heat units: 100 to 500
FRIGGITELLO PEPPERS
PATRICIA SPENCER
5
Also called: Pimento Characteristics: Mildly spicy, it's used in pimento cheese and frequently sold pickled. Scoville heat units: 100 to 500
CHERRY PEPPERS
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Also called: Shishitōgarashi, kkwari-gochu, ground cherry pepper Characteristics: Statistically, one in ten shishito peppers is spicy. Scoville heat units: 100 to 1,000
SHISHITO PEPPERS
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7
Also called: New Mexico chile Characteristics: Slightly pungent like an onion, with a subtle spiciness and smoky taste. Scoville heat units: 0 to 100,000
hatch PEPPERS
DAVID BISHSOP INC.
8
Also called: New Mexico chile Characteristics: They're not as spicy as, say, a habanero, but spicier than a bell pepper. Scoville heat units: 500 to 2,500
ANAHEIM PEPPERS
BONCHAN
9
Also called: Pasilla (when dried) Characteristics: Only slightly spicy, with a prune-like flavor and black-colored flesh. Scoville heat units: 1,000 to 3,999
CHILACA PEPPERS
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10
Also called: Ancho (when dried) Characteristics: While they're relatively mild, they get hotter as they mature. Scoville heat units: 1,000 to 5,000