Facts on Chipotle

1. Unwrapping the Chipotle

Chipotle is a smoked or dried pepper, the most common of which is the jalapeno pepper. Chipotle peppers boast a smoky flavor that sets it apart from a traditional jalapeno pepper, although it retains the heat of a jalapeno. Chipotle peppers can be found in most grocery stores and restaurants already smoked.

2. Spice it Up

Chipotle has grown from just a native Mexican food staple to a widely available ingredient. In addition, chipotle is used to season grilling spices, cooking spice and chili flakes. Available as an ingredient in many spices as a paste or salt, chipotle is now something the average cook can add to any recipe for a bit of a kick. Packaging the flavor of chipotle in such forms saves the cook from having to deal with the skin, seeds and flesh of a chipotle pepper, which are known to cause skin irritations and even burns.

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3. Daily Grind

You can create your own chipotle powder quite easily. Even though chipotle peppers are dried, they aren't dry enough to grind. You'll need to use a food dehydrator, or dry them in an oven on the lowest setting. They're done when you can easily snap them in two. Put on a surgical mask or you'll start sneezing uncontrollably. After drying, run the chipotle peppers through a small coffee grinder and store the powder in a glass container with a rubber seal. It's generally recommended that you designate a grinder for chipotles only, or you'll have oddly flavored coffee.

4. The Temperature's Rising

Eating chipotle peppers is a sure way to raise your temperature, especially if you've never eaten them before. How hot are chipotle peppers? The heat of peppers is measured according to the Scoville Scale, named after it's inventor Wilbur Scoville, which measures the capcasian in the pepper. The average green pepper or red pepper ranks a zero on the Scoville Scale, as they have no capcasian in them. The average jalapeno pepper ranks between 2,000 and 2,500 on the Scoville Scale. Chipotle ranks between 5,000 and 10,000.

5. Kick it Up a Notch

Chipotles can be used in virtually any recipe. You can chop them up and add them to chilis, stews or soups, or you can use them in a marinade or as a rub for steaks, ribs and chicken. Use a salt or paste version to add a smoky flavor to your foods without overwhelming the dish with heat. There's even a recipe for chipotle brownies.