what does calabrian chili taste like

What’s the magic behind the Calabrian chili? Here’s more about them and why everyone loves this hot pepper (plus recipes!).

When it comes to hot peppers, there’s one that shines above all the rest: the Calabrian chili! This spicy Italian pepper has developed quite the fan following, and for good reason. This pepper isn’t just about heat: it imbues a fruity, subtly smoky flavor to everything it touches! While it’s common in Italian recipes, you can use a dollop of these chopped jarred chilis on just about anything. Here’s more about this special pepper, where to find it, and how to use it in your cooking.

What Do They Taste Like? Calabrian chiles have a warm, hot, spicy, smoky, fruity, pervasive flavor, although their heat depends on the variety, as does their degree of fruitiness. Overall, Calabrian chiles are bright and fruity and have a warming heat rather than an intense burn.
what does calabrian chili taste like

What is a Calabrian chili?

Calabrian chilis are a type of chili pepper grown in Southern Italy in the region of Calabria. They impart a medium hot level of heat to dishes, layered with a sweet, subtly smoky and fruity flavor. Calabrian chili peppers are often used in Italian cuisine in pasta, pizza, tomato sauces, and more. The depth of flavor is what makes this mighty pepper so beloved, and it’s become a favorite of restaurant chefs and home cooks alike.

Shopping for Calabrian chilis

Calabrian peppers are sold in jars in the grocery store, packed in olive oil and often a hint of vinegar. They’re difficult to find fresh, though you can grow them yourself! Preserving the Calabrian peppers mellows their flavor a bit, so we recommend buying them jarred.

You can find jars of both whole and chopped Calabrian at many mainstream grocery stores. Some brands may call it Calabrian chili paste, which has very finely chopped chilis. Popular brands include Delallo, Divina, Tutto Calabria and Williams Sonoma. Here are the jarred Calabrian chilis we typically use.

Discover the Bold and Spicy Flavor of Calabrian Chili

FAQ

What is similar to Calabrian chili?

Fresno Chili Peppers: Fresno peppers are similar to Calabrian chili peppers in terms of heat. They are a bit more tangy and less smoky, but can work well as a substitute, especially in fresh applications.

How spicy is Calabrian chili?

Calabrian peppers are a medium-hot chili (25,000 to 40,000 Scoville heat units). To put that in perspective, they’re between three and 16 times hotter than Jalapeño peppers; they’re generally considered slightly milder than cayenne peppers.

What does Calabria taste like?

It’s fair to say that these are moderately hot peppers, but it’s that very characteristic—a push toward the middle—that makes them special: hot enough to enhance a spread or a sandwich, but never so hot as to scorch, overpower, or rudely rend asunder the other flavors in a given dish.

What does Calabrian chili sauce taste like?

Trader Joe’s Calabrian Chili Spicy Pasta Sauce flaunts a bright, tangy, smoky, sweet flavor profile with a moderate amount of zesty Calabrian chili heat.

What do calabrian chiles taste like?

Calabrian chiles have a warm, hot, spicy, smoky, fruity, pervasive flavor, although their heat depends on the variety, as does their degree of fruitiness. Overall, Calabrian chiles are bright and fruity and have a warming heat rather than an intense burn.

What are calabrian chiles?

Calabrian chiles are a type of chile pepper grown in the Italian region of Calabria. They’re spicy, smoky, and pack just the right amount of heat.

What are the different types of Calabrian chili peppers?

There are many types of Calabrian chili pepper – each with it’s own name. It’s a common mistake to consider those name as mere synonyms, but they actually represent different types of chiles, which have different qualities and levels of spiciness. The most notable are: diavolicchio – their name means “small devil”.

What does Chili Taste like?

The chili is small but oozes flavor, with a combination and variety of tastes that is simply unique. Although predominantly spicy, there is also a salty, smoky and even fruity taste to this delicious peppers. It is almost blood red in color, reminiscent of the famous Ferrari red which also originates from Italy.

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