Peppers come in many different varieties, each with its own unique flavor and appearance. As peppers ripen, many transition from green to vibrant red, orange, or yellow. This guide explores 19 of the most popular types of red peppers, highlighting a variety of flavor profiles and heat levels from mild to extremely hot.
Types of Sweet Red Peppers
Sweet red peppers are perfect for those who enjoy a mild flavor without the heat. These peppers provide a subtle sweetness that complements a wide range of dishes.
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers are among the most recognizable red peppers and are widely available in supermarkets. They have no heat, registering 0 on the Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) scale, but offer a pleasant sweetness. They can be eaten raw, stuffed, or cooked in various ways, making them a versatile addition to any meal.
Aji Dulce
Aji dulce peppers originate from the Caribbean and resemble habaneros in appearance, but they have little to no heat, ranging from 0 to 1,000 SHUs. These peppers are often used in Caribbean dishes like sofrito and are great for adding flavor to salads and stir-fries without overwhelming spiciness.
Marconi Giant Peppers
Marconi giant peppers are known for their large size, disease resistance, and high yields. These peppers grow up to 8 inches long and offer a sweet flavor without any heat (0 SHU). They are perfect for grilling or roasting, bringing a satisfying sweetness to many dishes.
Mild and medium red peppers
For those who enjoy a touch of heat, mild and medium red peppers provide just enough spiciness to enhance a dish without overpowering the other flavors.
Jalapeños
Jalapeños are most commonly known in their green form but turn red as they mature. The red variety has a slightly sweeter flavor with a heat range of 2,500 to 8,000 SHUs. Red jalapeños are a key ingredient in Huy Fong’s famous Sriracha sauce. They add a mild to medium heat to many dishes and can be eaten fresh or cooked.
Cherry Peppers
Cherry peppers are small, round peppers with a heat range of 5,000 to 15,000 SHUs. Their size makes them ideal for stuffing or pickling, and they are often used to add a pop of heat to a variety of dishes. In 2023, many gardeners accidentally grew these peppers due to mislabeled seeds during the “PepperGate” scandal.
Fresno Peppers
Named after the city of Fresno, California, Fresno peppers are similar to jalapeños in shape and heat, with a SHU range of 2,500 to 10,000. These peppers are slightly sweet and have a mild heat that makes them a great addition to salsas, sauces, and other dishes where a subtle kick is desired.
Tabasco
Tabasco peppers are best known as the key ingredient in the famous Tabasco hot sauce. These small, slender peppers grow on tall plants and turn from green to red as they ripen. With a heat range of 30,000 to 70,000 SHUs, they add a significant amount of spice to sauces, making them one of the spicier medium-heat peppers.
Cayenne
Cayenne peppers are long, slender red peppers that pack a punch with a heat level of 30,000 to 50,000 SHUs. These peppers are often dried and ground into a powder or pepper flakes, but they can also be used fresh or cooked. Cayenne peppers are versatile and commonly used to add heat to a variety of dishes.
Hot Red Peppers
Hot red peppers are celebrated for their fiery heat and complex flavors, ranging from fruity to smoky. They are often used in hot sauces and spicy dishes.
Red Scotch Bonnets
Scotch bonnets are small, round peppers that are known for their intense heat and distinctive flavor. They have a heat range of 100,000 to 350,000 SHUs and are often used in Caribbean cuisine. Their fruity and spicy profile makes them a versatile pepper that adds a bold kick to any dish.
Thai Hot Peppers
Thai hot peppers are small, slender peppers that pack a powerful punch with a heat range of 50,000 to 100,000 SHUs. These peppers are commonly used in Thai and Southeast Asian cuisine, where they add a bright, fruity heat to a variety of dishes.
Rocoto Peppers
Rocoto peppers, native to Peru, stand out for their apple-like shape and bright red color. With a heat range of 30,000 to 100,000 SHUs, they are one of the few Capsicum Pubescens peppers that are popular in the U.S. Rocoto peppers have a juicy, citrusy flavor that pairs well with their medium to high heat.
Caribbean Red Habaneros
Caribbean red habaneros are known for their intense heat, measuring between 350,000 and 450,000 SHUs. These peppers have twice the heat of orange habaneros and feature fruity, citrusy undertones, making them ideal for hot sauces or spicy seasonings.
King Naga Peppers
King naga peppers, originating from Northeast India and Bangladesh, are small, bumpy peppers with a SHU range of 700,000 to 800,000. These peppers are extremely hot and have fruity and floral notes, making them a unique addition to very spicy dishes.
Ultra-Hot Red Peppers
Ultra-hot red peppers are not for the faint of heart. These peppers are often used in making the hottest hot sauces and chili powders, with heat levels that far exceed most people’s tolerance.
Carolina Reapers
Carolina Reapers were recently dethroned as the world’s hottest pepper, with a heat level of over 1.5 million SHUs. Despite their extreme spiciness, Carolina Reapers also have a surprising sweetness, with hints of chocolate and cherry. These peppers are incredibly hot and are used sparingly in dishes or sauces for those who enjoy intense heat.
Dragon’s Breath
Dragon’s Breath peppers are said to be even hotter than the Carolina Reaper, although this claim has yet to be officially confirmed. Early tests have shown heat levels exceeding 2.4 million SHUs, making them one of the hottest peppers ever recorded.
Jigsaw Peppers
Jigsaw peppers are a cross between the Moruga Scorpion and Naga Morich peppers. They grow up to 3 inches long and weigh around 4 ounces. With a heat range of 1.5 to 2.2 million SHUs, these peppers stand out for their smoky sweetness, offering both extreme heat and flavor.
Primotalii
The Primotalii is a hybrid of the 7 Pot Primo and Fatalii peppers, resulting in a super-hot pepper with a heat level of 1 million SHUs. This pepper is known for its fruity and floral flavors, making it a complex and extremely spicy ingredient.
Trinidad Scorpion Peppers
Once considered the world’s hottest pepper, Trinidad scorpions have an average heat level of over 1.2 million SHUs. These peppers have a unique scorpion tail-like shape and provide an intense heat with a slightly fruity flavor.
7 Pot Jonah Peppers
7 Pot Jonah peppers are closely related to Trinidad scorpions and have a heat level of over 800,000 SHUs. These round peppers are approximately 2 inches long and offer a fruity flavor along with their potent spiciness.
From the mild sweetness of bell peppers to the extreme heat of the Carolina Reaper, this list highlights the incredible diversity of red peppers. Each pepper brings its own unique flavor and heat, making them a versatile ingredient in a wide range of dishes.
