Guajillo chili facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guajillo chili |
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Several dried guajillo chiles
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| Species | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Central America and Mexico |
| Heat |  Medium |
| Scoville scale | 2,500–5,000 SHU |
A guajillo chili is a popular dried chili pepper. It's also called chile guaco (Spanish: chile guajillo). This chili comes from a fresh pepper called the mirasol chili. It's a type of Chili pepper that grows in Central America and Mexico.
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Guajillo Chili: A Flavorful Pepper
What is a Guajillo Chili?
The guajillo chili is a very important ingredient in Mexican cuisine. It is the second most used dried chili in Mexico. Only the ancho chili, which comes from the poblano pepper, is used more often. The Mexican state of Zacatecas is a big producer of guajillo chilies.
Different Kinds of Guajillo Chilies
There are two main types of guajillo chilies. They are different in size and how spicy they are.
- The guajillo puya is smaller and hotter. The Spanish word puyar means to prick or poke. This gives you a hint about its spicy kick!
- The regular guajillo is longer and wider. It has a richer, deeper flavor and is a bit less spicy.
On the Scoville scale, which measures how hot peppers are, guajillo chilies rate between 2,500 and 5,000. This means their heat is considered mild to medium.
How Are Guajillo Chilies Used?
Guajillo chilies are used in many different ways in Mexican cooking. For example, they are often used to make salsa for tamales. To prepare them, the dried chilies are first opened and their seeds are removed. Then, they are soaked in water or gently cooked until soft. After that, they are ground into a paste. This paste is then cooked with other ingredients to create a delicious sauce.
Guajillo chilies are also used in many other dishes. They are added to marinades, salsas, pastes, and spice rubs. They help to add flavor to meats, fats, and oils. Because of its delicate flavor, the guajillo chili is often used with fish and chicken. It can also be added to salsa as a side dish. In El Salvador, guajillo chilies are known as Spanish: chile guaco. They are used in a special Salvadoran spice mix called relajo.
Popular Dishes with Guajillo Chilies
Here are some Mexican dishes where guajillo chilies are a main ingredient:
- Chilate or mole de olla
- Pambazos
- Consomés
- Carne adobada
See also
In Spanish: Chile guajillo para niños
