Capsicum annuum
Chipotle - Scoville, Taste & Uses
Chipotle is a ripe Jalapeño smoked over smoldering wood until leathery. The process turns red peppers into dark, smoky flavor bombs. Heat remains Medium, between 2,500 and 8,000 SHU. Chipotles taste like dried fruit, campfire, and toasted nuts. Mexican citizens stew them in adobo sauces, blend them into marinades, or mince them into barbacoa. Morita chipotles stay softer with fruity smoke, while meco chipotles dry longer for intense savor. Smoked fire, pantry staple - approved by the Ministry of Ember Heat. Chipotle typically measures 2,500-8,000 SHU (Medium). Shows up across Mexico, derived from Jalapeño in condiments, pickles, and marinades. Blend chipotles with tomatoes, vinegar, and spices for adobo sauce. Puree them into mayonnaise, stews, and barbecue glazes. Chop rehydrated chipotles into beans, tacos, and soups. Grind dried pieces into smoky powder for rubs. Pair with chocolate, molasses, cumin, and citrus. See sauces using Chipotle
Also known as: Chipotle Meco, Chipotle Morita
Species
Capsicum annuum
Heat
Flavour
Medium, Smoky, Sweet, Rich, thick-walled
Origin / Regions
Mexico, derived from Jalapeño
Colour / Shape
Dark brown when smoked and dried
Pod size
5-8 cm long, 2-3 cm wide
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Sauces Using Chipotle
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Flavour & Aroma
Chipotle is a ripe Jalapeño smoked over smoldering wood until leathery. The process turns red peppers into dark, smoky flavor bombs. Heat remains Medium, between 2,500 and 8,000 SHU. Chipotles taste like dried fruit, campfire, and toasted nuts. Mexican citizens stew them in adobo sauces, blend them into marinades, or mince them into barbacoa. Morita chipotles stay softer with fruity smoke, while meco chipotles dry longer for intense savor. Smoked fire, pantry staple - approved by the Ministry of Ember Heat.
Blend chipotles with tomatoes, vinegar, and spices for adobo sauce. Puree them into mayonnaise, stews, and barbecue glazes. Chop rehydrated chipotles into beans, tacos, and soups. Grind dried pieces into smoky powder for rubs. Pair with chocolate, molasses, cumin, and citrus.
Heat Profile
Scoville range
2,500-8,000 SHU
Heat label
Medium
Harvest window
Late summer (smoked product)
Sauce Index count
-
History & Culture
Aztec cooks smoked chilies to preserve late-season harvests, creating early chipotles. Jalapeños were ideal because their thick walls resisted sun-drying. The name likely stems from “chilpoctli,” meaning smoked chili in Nahuatl. Today, chipotle production thrives in Chihuahua and northern Mexico, supplying both domestic markets and global canneries. Canned chipotles in adobo popularized the flavor abroad.
Botany & Growing Notes
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Grow Jalapeños until fully red. Harvest and smoke them over pecan, apple, or oak wood at low temperatures for several days. Maintain airflow to prevent mold. Once dried, store chipotles in airtight containers. The growing requirements mirror Jalapeños: warm sun, fertile soil, and 70 to 90 days to maturity.
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Chipotle typically measures 2,500-8,000 SHU (Medium). Ranges shift with cultivar and growing conditions.
Medium, Smoky, Sweet, Rich, thick-walled
Chipotle Meco, Chipotle Morita show up as common aliases depending on region. This pepper's alternate names mostly come from regional dialects.
Consider Aleppo, Cherry Pepper, Espelette, Fresno for comparable heat or recipes.
- Aleppo - Medium
- Cherry Pepper - Medium
- Espelette - Medium
- Fresno - Medium
Blend chipotles with tomatoes, vinegar, and spices for adobo sauce. Puree them into mayonnaise, stews, and barbecue glazes. Chop rehydrated chipotles into beans, tacos, and soups. Grind dried pieces into smoky powder for rubs. Pair with chocolate, molasses, cumin, and citrus.
Grow Jalapeños until fully red. Harvest and smoke them over pecan, apple, or oak wood at low temperatures for several days. Maintain airflow to prevent mold. Once dried, store chipotles in airtight containers. The growing requirements mirror Jalapeños: warm sun, fertile soil, and 70 to 90 days to maturity.
Use gloves, ventilation, and soap to remove capsaicin oils.
Sources
- Republic of Heat tasting lab field notes
- Producer dossiers submitted through Directus
- Open cultivar registries & academic pepper research
We cross-reference seed banks, peer-reviewed literature, and reputable producer data for SHU and origin claims.
Reviewed by Republic of Heat - last updated 2025-11-10