Siling haba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Long chilisiling haba (Tagalog) espada (Spanish) |
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'Siling haba' pepper
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| Genus | Capsicum |
| Species | Capsicum annuum |
| Cultivar | 'Siling haba' |
| Heat |  Hot |
| Scoville scale | 50,000 SHU |
The Siling haba is a popular type of chili pepper. People also call it "long chili" or espada, which means "sword" in Spanish. You might also hear it called siling mahaba, siling pangsigang, or siling Tagalog. Sometimes, it's simply known as green chili, finger chili, or long pepper.
This chili is very common in the Philippines and is a key part of Filipino cuisine. It's one of two main types of chili used there. The other is called siling labuyo. Unlike siling labuyo, siling haba belongs to the plant group called Capsicum annuum.
What Does Siling Haba Look Like?
The siling haba fruit grows to be about 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 cm) long. It has a bright, light green color. You can often see them in markets or growing in gardens in the Philippines.
How Spicy Is It?
Siling haba has a moderate level of spiciness. It gives a nice kick to food without being too overwhelming. It is much milder and less hot than its cousin, the siling labuyo. So, if you're trying Filipino food, this chili is a good way to enjoy some heat.
Cooking with Siling Haba
This chili is a very important ingredient in many Philippine dishes. It adds a special flavor and a bit of heat. You'll find siling haba in popular meals like sinigang, a sour soup, and dinuguan, a savory stew.
It's also used in dishes such as pinangat, a dish wrapped in taro leaves, and kilawin, a type of ceviche. Other foods that use siling haba include paksiw, which is a vinegar-based stew, and sisig, a sizzling meat dish. It helps make these dishes taste amazing!
Images for kids
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Siling haba, ready for cooking
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Fresh siling haba peppers
