Habaneros’ Proper Name

system Chile Varieties Leave a Comment

Share on Facebook0Tweet about this on TwitterShare on Google+0Email this to someone

Q:  Yo Dave,

I had a bumper crop of habaneros this year and I smoked a few hundred.  Everyone who sees, tastes or receives them as gifts wants to know, "What are these?"  I would like to refer to these great-tasting peppers by their proper name. 

Thanks,

DNS

 

A:  Hello David:

Well, if they are orange and lantern-shaped, they are indeed habaneros.  If they are red, yellow, or some other color, they could be another variety of the species Capsicum chinense, which also includes habaneros.  There is no specific word for smoked habaneros; in Spanish, all smoked peppers of any variety are called "chipotle," but of course the most common is the red jalapeño.  For more info, see:  http://www.fiery-foods.com/dave/profile_hab.html

–Dave

Share on Facebook0Tweet about this on TwitterShare on Google+0Email this to someone