A chipotle is simply the ripened, dried, and smoked version of a fresh jalapeño. In Mexico, dried peppers get a different name than their fresh counterparts. For example, a fresh pepper is called a jalapeño, but once it's dried and smoked, it's called a chipotle. The same goes for the poblano, for instance; once dried, this pepper is called an ancho.

Heat Level

Jalapeño peppers change color from green to red (or yellow), a process called 'doorkleuren' (color-through). For drying and smoking jalapeños, they use fully colored, ripe, red jalapeños. The longer a pepper stays on the plant, the more time it has to become sweeter, fruitier, and spicier.

This is all thanks to capsaicin, the stuff that gives peppers their heat. As a pepper ripens longer, its capsaicin content increases, making it hotter. This means that within the same variety, red peppers are hotter than green ones. So, a fully ripened chipotle pepper, which is actually a smoked and dried red jalapeño, is spicier than an unripe green jalapeño. But it's still the same pepper, so yes, the chipotle pepper is hotter, but that's not the biggest difference.

Flavor

The biggest difference between the jalapeño and the chipotle is their flavor. Thanks to the ripening and smoking process, the chipotle develops a deep, smoky, and sweet taste that clearly sets it apart from the fresh, green jalapeño.

The jalapeño is fresh, crisp, and has a mild, fresh bite. Thanks to its subtle flavor, it fits perfectly into all sorts of dishes without overpowering them. The chipotle, on the other hand, has a distinct, spicy, smoky flavor with sweet notes. This pepper is ideal for sauces, savory dishes, and barbecue recipes, but because of its intense taste, it's wise to use it in moderation.

Appearance

They also look different. The jalapeño is green or red, fresh, and has a smooth, shiny texture. The chipotle, however, is dark red to brown, dried and smoked, with a hard, wrinkled, and pointed texture.

We've got two different chipotles in our range: Chipotle – dried and smoked & Dried Chipotle Morita. The Morita chipotles are smoked for a shorter time, which makes them milder in flavor and helps them keep more of their fruity taste.