Fresno pepper is a capsicum cultivar, belonging to the Capsicum annuum species. It is also known as chile caribe and chile cera in Mexico and the Spanish speaking areas of USA. It turns bright red in color on ripening and is used to make ceviches and salsas. The quality of the chili powder obtained by grinding this particular type of pepper is not of high quality as the pepper does not dry well, and it is rarely used in that form.
The pepper is very similar to the jalapeno but is characterized by a thinner skin. It is one of the commonest forms of chilies grown in USA, with the immature green colored ones being used to impart flavor to various dishes. The ripe, red colored pepper is hotter than the jalapeno and is highly popular as an ingredient of salsa dips.
The chili was introduced by Clarence Brown in 1952 who named it after the Californian City of Fresno.
Charecteristics of Fresno Pepper
The chile caribe grows to about two to three inches in length with a diameter roughly equal to an inch. It is bright green in color when immature and turns red on ripening. The heat of the chili ranges from 2500-10,000 on the Scoville scale. They are usually grown in summer with the red ones being available all through the fall season in USA.
Popular Fresno Pepper Recipes
The green Fresno pepper is used to flavor soups, stews, and chili dishes while the mature form is traditionally used to add spice to salsas and ceviches.
Some of the most popular recipes that use chile caribe as an ingredient are:-
Health Benefits of Fresno Pepper
Trivia
Canned Fresno Chilies are labeled as hot chili peppers in USA.