Wondering how hot a habanero pepper is? We’re going to guide you through everything you need to know, from the taste, to the texture, to recipe tips for maximum flavor.
Let’s dive right in…
What Does Habanero Taste Like?
Hot heads will love habanero chili peppers. On the Scoville heat scale, they weigh in at approximately 1,000 to 577,000 units. For reference, the gentle pepperoncini is around 100 to 500 units.
But habaneros are more than just spicy. What really sets them apart is their floral, citrusy flavor, making them highly prized in fruitier hot sauces.
If you’re worried about all that heat, rest assured that the chilies sold in supermarkets are generally in the mild range.
Habanero Texture
These peppers have a gorgeous texture. The flesh is delicate, crisp and crunchy, and the inner seeds are soft and easy to chew.
Here’s an interesting tidbit about the seeds: they can end up seeming spicier than the flesh, but not because they’re the spiciest parts.
The picante taste of the seeds comes from their close contact with the inner white membrane, the home of the most potent concentration of capsaicin (the chemical that produces the heat).
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Is Habanero Hotter Than jalapeño?
While they’re not the scorchers that ghost peppers are, habaneros can be well over 100 times hotter than the humble jalapeño, which hovers around 2,500 to 8,000 Scoville units.
Technically, however, many habaneros are even milder than jalapeños. The ones more likely to make you tear up are Caribbean red, red savina and chocolate habaneros.
Habaneros may be famously hot, but did you know that some are sweet? The habanada, also called the sweet habanero and sometimes the honey zepper, is a rare breed with no burn.
This yellow to orange pepper is zesty with notes of sweet melon mixed with tropical and floral essences. If you want to experience the fruitier side of the hot habanero without the spice, the habanada is for you.
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Are Green Habanero Peppers Hot?
While green and immature, habanero peppers are nowhere near as spicy as when they’re fully ripened, but the flavors are also underdeveloped.
Still, green habaneros are refreshing. Think of green bell peppers, which are vegetal but tasty, next to yellow, orange and red bells, which are more full-bodied.
Habanero Recipe Tips
Ready to start cooking with habaneros? Don’t worry—if the spice level is intimidating, you can select the sweet to mild kinds for the recipes in these short videos.
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This video will show you how to make delectable hot sauce with habanero peppers. Tip: Use gloves when handling the chilies and wash your hands well after. Many a time have we forgotten about this and rubbed an eye (ow).
Here’s what you need to make this hot sauce:
- Yellow habanero (or any type you prefer)
- Lime
- Vinegar
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Cilantro
- Paprika
- Cumin
- Sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
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Do you love sweet and spicy combos? Make these vegan habanero cupcakes and call up your friends and family for a tasting party.
Gather these ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Whole wheat flour
- Cinnamon
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Habanero-infused olive oil
- Raw sugar
- Almond milk (or any vegan milk)
- Apple cider vinegar
Wrap Up
Habaneros are definitely on the spicier side of the chili pepper scale. Some are comparable to jalapeños while others are over 100 times hotter. But sweet habaneros exist—check out the habanada, the biteless habanero. For your recipes, think about added any kind you like to vegan wing sauce or even desserts for a fresh spin on the classics.
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Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
