Spice Station Silverlake

This sweet and sharp chile from the Aleppo region
of Syria has a high heat that doesn’t overpower
it’s fruity flavor. Some dishes use only this chile as
a seasoning because the complexity can stand alone.
An all around favorite because it brings out the best
in everything from fish and vegetables to tenderloin.

This sweet and sharp chile from the Aleppo region of Syria has a moderate heat that doesn’t overpower it’s fruity flavor. Some dishes use only this chile as a seasoning because the complexity can stand alone. An all around favorite because it brings out the best in everything from fish and vegetables to tenderloin.

Ancho means ‘wide’, its flat heart shape creating one of the largest chiles, a dried Poblano. It is sweet, with hints of raisin and plum. The ancho is one of the most commonly used chiles in Mexico and is a basic ingredient for making many Mexican style sauces. The ancho, along with the mulato and pasilla form the “holy trinity”of chiles used to make traditional Mexican mole sauces.

Named in reference to the woody stems attached to the pod. The Spanish translation of the name means “treelike.” This chile, which is related to the cayenne and pequin, has a rich red color and a thin flesh. They are hot, slender, tubular peppers, about 2 to 3 inches long, and bright green when immature, turning a bright red at maturity. They are most commonly found dried.

This organic bird’s eye chile is small but packs quite a lot of heat. At one time it was even listed as the hottest chili in the Guinness Book of World Records but other hotter varieties of chili have since been identified. It’s what gives local dishes such as bicol express their fiery zing. It is also used to flavor vinegar.

The California is a beautiful russet red, translucent, thin-walled dried chile, measuring between 10-15 cm in length and between 2.5-3.25 cm in width. Most chiles grow hanging downwards (pendant).

Cascabel means “rattle” in Spanish as the seeds shake about freely in this spherical chile. With its low heat level and tangy flavor the cascabel works well when combined with its spicier cousins. Try it in bean soups or puree with tomatillos for a tangy green salsa.

A wonderfully fresh version of the common chile used in everything from curries to chutneys. This is a clean heat than can intensify flavors much like salt or lemon. An interesting twist is to dust this over papaya or mango in the Caribbean tradition. The African source of the cayenne creates a classic flavor profile but with more than double the heat of the Indian. A must for Cajun and Creole dishes.

A wonderfully fresh version of the common chile used in everything from curries to chutneys. This is a clean heat than can intensify flavors much like salt or lemon. An interesting twist is to dust this over papaya or mango in the Caribbean tradition. The African source of the cayenne creates a classic flavor profile but with more than double the heat of the Indian. A must for Cajun and Creole dishes.

A wonderfully fresh version of the common chile used in everything from curries to chutneys. This is a clean heat than can intensify flavors much like salt or lemon. An interesting twist is to dust this over papaya or mango in the Caribbean tradition. The African source of the cayenne creates a classic flavor profile but with more than double the heat of the Indian. A must for Cajun and Creole dishes.

Common chili flakes for pizza. About 20 heat units, this is a blend of hot and mild chili flakes. Best stored in refrigerator to prevent browning and loss of flavor.

Chipotle are simply a smoked jalapeno, but you will find nothing simple about their flavor. With a winning combination of heat and smoky flavor, it is easy to see why they have become such a widely used ingredient in contemporary cuisine. Added to soups and chili they impart a belly warming heat and will stand up to beef, chicken or pork.

A beautiful russet red, translucent, thin-walled dried chile. Its delicate flavor makes it a favorite, especially for coloring, in all forms of New World cooking. A base for rich chili con carne and classic Tex-Mex cuisine.

Named after Jalapa, the capital of Veracruz, Mexico, these smooth, dark green (scarlet red when ripe) chiles range from mildly hot to very hot. Jalapeños are quite popular because they’re so easily seeded (the seeds and veins are extremely hot). In their dried form, jalapeños are known as chipotles.

These versatile chiles are generally used in Chinese cookery. Japones have a dry, tip-of-the-tongue heat that make them perfect for your kung pao, General Tso-style creations. This chile is similar in appearance to the de arbol. Though the walls of the japones are thicker.

The flavor resembles somewhat like sweet roasted peppers. It also has a nice level of heat. It can be added to soups and stews. It makes a great addition to Mexican chili or any kind of meat dish. Very hard to find, this pepper only grows in a region that once was shared by Turks and Armenians called Marash.

In Spanish Chile morita means small blackberry pepper. The morita peppers are smoked jalapenos like the chipotle peppers, the difference is that the morita is often made from a smaller variety of ripe red jalapeno. Just crush a few and add to soups, Mexican food dishes, and sauces.