Summertime is full of pool parties, family gatherings, vacations and of course food. One of my absolute favorite snacks on the grill is the variation of chili pepper concoctions. 
From the classic “bandito” style of cream cheese filled peppers, with heavenly bacon wrapped outside for a crisp, to the Thai version of spicy coleslaw, “Som Tam”, there are countless ways to boost your summer heat.
Knowing what type of pepper you want to cook with is another key component to determining if you want to spice things up, sweeten the dish, or just add a bit of texture and color. While many of your favorite recipes may call for the hottest pepper on the planet, knowing your heat levels can provide an alternative to how you serve your favorite dish.
Blazing Peppers
Dorset Naga known as the hottest pepper in the world.
Of course having the hottest face melting peppers on the planet in your signature heat dish may be your ultimate goal, so if you want to have your friends cry themselves home, then pick up these beauties:
- Carolina Reaper
- Trinidad Scorpion Chocolate
- Naga Morich
- Infinity Pepper
- Ghost Pepper
Smokin’ Peppers
Cayenne Peppers
While the next heat rank is nothing to scoff at, with a whopping 30,000 heat index on the Scoville scale which measures the effective heat of various peppers.
- Rocoto Pepper
- Cayenne Pepper
- Tabasco Pepper
- Aji Amarillo
- NuMex Twilight
Teasin’ Peppers
Jalapeno Pepper
Dropping down to half of the “Smokin’” peppers Scoville scale to a rating of 15,000, or less onheat index, the following peppers add a bit of spice, flavor and pep but won’t ruin your favorite dish for the average guest.
- Lemon Drop Pepper
- Serrano Pepper
- Chipotle Pepper
- Jalapeno Pepper
Sweet Peppers
Banana Peppers
If heat is not your thing but you love the idea of peppers in your dish, then picking up some of the sweeter side of this notorious vegetable is perfect for adding a little extra texture, flavor and sweet spice without over doing your concoction.
- Bell Pepper
- Melrose Pepper
- Banana Pepper
- Italian Long Hot Pepper
Health Benefits of Peppers
Peppers are not just a form of torture to your taste buds, in fact, peppers have a plethora of health benefits including the ability to aid in burning off fat, work to control your cholesterol, and even help keep your arthritis under control. In addition to boosting your bodies natural ability to fend off health risks, bell peppers have a huge amount of vitamin C boosting one’s immune system. Red peppers are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
With so many different dishes to choose from, understanding your pepper choices will be the difference between lighting your guests on fire, which is quite amusing, or offering a rich filled dinner menu complementing sweet and spicy flavors to perfect your creation. Regardless of which direction you go when preparing your favorite pepper dish, now you have all the needed information to “Pick a Pepper” right for your occasion.
Leave a Reply