What Is an Anaheim Pepper and How How Are They?

What Are Anaheim Chile Peppers?

Anaheim peppers are relatively easy to spot (although they can be challenging to come by at the grocery store). These medium-sized peppers originated in New Mexico and are named after where they were popularized: Anaheim in southern California.

This type of New Mexican hot pepper is slightly less popular than green chile peppers such as jalapeños, but they make a fantastic addition to many people's grocery lists, especially when making Mexican food.

What Do Anaheim Peppers Look Like?

Some varieties of this pepper plant mature to a dark green or slightly red color. Others grow and become vibrant, fiery red.

Anaheim peppers usually grow anywhere from six to 10 inches. They're more slender than a bell pepper but longer than a pimento pepper.

How Long Do Anaheim Peppers Take To Mature?

Perhaps you've been considering starting a garden in your yard. If you want to grow Anaheim peppers, you can expect them to mature within 60-75 days.

When it comes time to pick the peppers, try not to pull them off the plant. Instead, gently cut the peppers from the plant with a sharp knife or scissors. This will help encourage the rest of the Anaheim plant to continue thriving without harming the parts that stay behind.

Where Did Anaheim Peppers Originate?

Anaheim peppers are sometimes called "New Mexico Chilies" or "Hatch Chili Peppers" because they come from New Mexico originally. The story goes that they arrived in California because one farmer named Emilio Ortega brought the seeds to Anaheim in the early 1900s. However, you might notice other varieties called California peppers, Magdalena peppers, or New Mexico peppers.

If you were to pick Anaheim peppers while they're green, they would be called "Seco del Norte" or "Verde del Norte."

How Hot Are Anaheim Peppers?

Knowing which peppers have the highest ranking is essential if you prefer your homemade dishes to be spicy. Let's review a few of the most popular peppers and their heat rankings according to the Scoville Scale, which measures capsaicin.

• Bell peppers: 0 Scoville Heat Units (SHUs).

• Anaheim peppers: 500-2,500 SHUs

• Poblano peppers: 1,000-1,500 SHUs

• Jalapeño peppers: 2,500-8,000 SHUs

• Cayenne peppers: 30,000-50,000 SHUs

• Habanero peppers: 100,000-350,000 SHUs

• Ghost peppers: 850,000-1,000,000 SHUs

• Carolina Reaper peppers: 1,400,000-2,200,000 SHUs

How To Store Anaheim Peppers

There are a few ways to store Anaheim peppers if you'd like to save them for later. One easy way to preserve their freshness is by sealing them in a bag in the freezer or refrigerator. You can also store them in the produce section of your refrigerator without the bag. On average, Anaheim peppers will last one to two weeks in the fridge.

If you'd like to enjoy your Anaheim peppers in a different way, try drying them. From there, you can ground them into a powder that you can sprinkle on dishes later.

What Are Some Anaheim Pepper Recipes?

These California chili peppers make a fantastic addition to many recipes. They give off a tangy, smoky taste, and they can have a hint of sweetness, too. This blend of flavors makes Anaheim chili peppers great for soups, stews, and all kinds of dishes.

Using Anaheim peppers and other chiles is one way to add complex flavor and spice to your dishes. Let's look at several easy meal ideas that use Anaheim peppers.

Keep reading, and we'll discuss more convenient ways to add luxurious flavor and heat to your home-cooked meals.

Stuffed Peppers (Chiles Rellenos)

If you're preparing an appetizer for your household or for party guests, these make a great option. Slice them down the middle and scrape out the seeds, then fill the peppers with your choice of cheese and meat. After, you can also garnish them with sour cream.

Chicken Taco Soup

When you're in the mood for soup, this is a fantastic option. You can put your fresh Anaheim peppers to good use by adding them to the mixture of avocados, tomatoes, beans, and chicken.

Tomatillo Salsa

If you enjoy eating green salsa on your enchiladas or burritos, you can also try making it at home. Although the typical recipe calls for spicy peppers like jalapeños, you can swap them with delicious Anaheim peppers for a milder taste that will appeal to people who don’t love spicy food.

Deep Fried Rellenos

If you like the idea of stuffed peppers, you may also be a fan of this dish. Rellenos are stuffed peppers that are deep-fried with a crispy layer on the outside.

Rellenos Casserole

You can also prepare a rellenos casserole with Anaheim peppers for a layered, cheesy dish that serves many.

Advantages of Cooking With Anaheim Peppers

Knowing which peppers to use for your home cooking can be challenging because of their different flavors and levels of spice. You may need more clarification about the benefits of cooking with this kind of chili.

Here are a few reasons to love cooking with Anaheim peppers:

• They're not too hot. Since Anaheim peppers score very low on the Scoville Heat Scale, you can use them in many recipes without wondering if they'll be too spicy for your guests. You can also easily use this pepper in other dishes that call for spicier peppers if you like milder flavors.

• They have an exquisite flavor. This kind of pepper has multiple flavors wrapped up into one pepper. Using Anaheim peppers is a fantastic option if you're looking for a pepper that brings a lot to the table.

• They're terrific for adding to soups. Adding Anaheim peppers can elevate the dish whenever it's time to make a warm, comforting soup. Chop them and add them to your favorite stews and chilis, too, for a pop of heat.

How To Add More Heat to Your Kitchen

Experimenting in the kitchen is one way to create excitement in your household. If you want to add more spice to your meals and enjoy bolder flavors, there are several ways to make that happen. Let's take a look.

1. Experiment With Other Peppers

Anaheim peppers are just one variety of pepper that you can use in your home cooking. Many enjoy cooking with these other popular peppers: bell peppers, poblano peppers, and serrano peppers. If you can't get enough spice, you may also want to add habanero peppers into the mix.

When cooking with different peppers, the sky's the limit. You can try stuffed peppers with spicy serrano peppers or opt for something milder with bell peppers. Play around with different varieties to find your next go-to meals.

2. Get Familiar With Spices

If you want to add more heat to your kitchen, adding more spices to your collection is also a good idea. Try crushed red pepper, paprika, curry, and chili powder in your dishes for spice that adds excitement to your dishes with a more complex flavor.

3. Find a Hot Sauce That Never Misses

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TRUFF Sauces for Your Kitchen

Having reliable sauces in your kitchen is essential for making easy, delicious meals. You deserve to love every bite of the dishes you prepare.

Keep reading to see how TRUFF sauces can enhance your favorite dishes with truffle-infused flavor and exhilarating spice.

Decadent TRUFF Pasta Sauces

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Turn Up the Spice in Your Dishes

Next time you make a grocery store run, you’ll have all the information you need to select Anaheim peppers or other flavorful chilis for your weekly recipes.

And on days when you crave spice without the work of chopping up peppers, TRUFF sauces have your back. Pick your favorites for the right amount of heat in your favorite home-cooked dishes.

Sources:

Bell and Chile Peppers - UC Davis

Chile Pepper Production in California - University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Unless You Are A Chile Expert You May be Confused By Pepper Varieties - University of Arizona