Ancho Chili Peppers, also known as dried poblanos, are mild-to-medium chili peppers that originated in the state of Puebla, Mexico. Larger and flatter than the jalapeño pepper (although not as large as the bell peppers), Ancho chilies have an earthy flavor and are usually used in Latin American and Mexican cooking.
The word “ancho” is Spanish for “wide” or “broad,” a reference to the shape of the pepper, which is about three inches long and a half inch wide. Ancho chilies are named for their resemblance to a broad belt.
Ancho chilies can be red, brown or black in color, although most commercial peppers found in U.S. grocery stores tend to be dark red or reddish brown in hue. The flavor of an ancho chili is more full-bodied than that of its close cousins the jalapeño and serrano peppers.
Anchos can be eaten fresh or dried, both of which have their own unique flavor profiles. When used fresh, anchos are often stuffed with cheese or ground meat then grilled until they turn soft and pliable.*
One of the most popular chili peppers in Mexico, dried ancho peppers are mild and slightly sweet. Anchos are used to make mole poblano, a rich, chocolatey sauce often served over meat.
Originally from South America, anchos are now produced on small farms throughout Mexico and the southwestern United States. The peppers grow on bushes that reach up to 15 feet in height.
In the early days of European settlement in North America, the Spanish brought chilies with them to add flavor to their food. The first chilies grown were the hot chilies like jalapenos and serranos. However, after a few seasons of growing these spicy varieties, growers began experimenting with ancho chili peppers. By the 1800s, these milder peppers had become a favorite for fresh use and drying for later use as seasoning.
Chili con carne is the most popular dish in which ancho peppers can be found. It is a combination of beef and tomatoes simmered together with onion and chilies. This dish was traditionally made by cowboys out on cattle drives. Because it was easy to prepare and quite filling, it quickly became a favorite of cooks in Texas who were trying to feed large groups while working around campfires.
Ancho chili is a dried poblano pepper, the dried form of a pepper that is considered one of the most mild peppers available. It has a rich, smoky flavor and dark red color. A member of the Capsicum annuum species, it can be found in Mexican cuisine.
Toxicity and Allergic Reactions
Ancho chili pepper is not toxic or allergenic, though it does have a mild irritant oil called capsaicin. This oil is what gives the pepper its spice and heat. If you are sensitive to it, you may experience stomach discomfort after consuming too much ancho chili pepper.
The capsaicin in ancho chili peppers can increase metabolic rate by as much as 24% according to studies done in rats at the University of Wyoming. This means that your body will burn more calories when digesting this food than with other foods.
Ancho chilis were used by pre-Columbian civilizations as far back as 2000 BC. Cultivated by Native Americans in Mexico as early as 700 AD, they are now widely available in both fresh and dried forms around the world. They grow on 10-foot plants and are harvested while still ripe or green and then allowed to fully ripen before being dried. Fresh ancho
Ancho chili peppers are the dried version of Poblano peppers, which come from the very large Capsicum Annum family. They are sweet and mild with a unique taste that has just a touch of smoke. The name Poblano is actually derived from the word “papa” meaning pepper in Spanish.
Taken from the thick-walled poblano peppers, these dried chilies are a staple ingredient used in Mexican cuisine and are known for their mildly spicy flavor and rich red color. Ancho chili peppers are similar to the New Mexico variety but much milder and sweeter.
Ancho chili peppers were the original “chili” or chili peppers found in Mexico before cayenne and jalapeno became more common in American kitchens around the turn of the 20th century. They add depth of flavor to many dishes as well as great color.
When you buy ancho chili peppers, you will find that they have a deep reddish brown color with a wrinkly texture. They have a sweet and smoky flavor when fresh but when they are dried they become sweeter and have a more earthy flavor. There is also a subtle spice to them that adds to their complexity when cooking with them.
These chili peppers, like all
The mild and thick-fleshed ancho has been grown in the highlands of Mexico since pre-Columbian times. The name of the pepper comes from a Spanish word meaning “wide” or “plump.” In fact, it is the largest of the dried chiles, about 2 to 4 inches long and shaped like a narrow cylinder with pointed ends.
Taste:At once rich and fruity, like prunes or raisins, anchos have a sweet but complex flavor that deepens as they age. They are among the most popular chile peppers in Mexico and are used extensively in that country’s cuisine.
A Rich History:Anchos are harvested to be sold, stored and traded throughout Mexico’s markets. They are an essential ingredient for making mole poblano, considered by many to be the national dish of Mexico. Dried, canned and bottled anchos are exported around the world and can be found in specialty shops and many supermarkets.
Preparing:The flavor of ancho peppers deepens as they age, so you can use them whole or grind them into powder when they are fresh or older. For best results, toast whole peppers under a broiler or over an open flame until their skins char slightly. Fill a
It is easy to use the wrong kind of chili pepper in a recipe. You have plenty of time to wish you hadn’t once the burn sets in. The best way to avoid this is to know what kinds of peppers are out there and where you can find them.
Like all peppers, ancho chili peppers are part of the Capsicum family. They are also called poblanos when they are green, dried chilies when they are red and anchos when they are brown. This particular type of pepper is very popular in Mexico and is often used in Southwestern dishes.
Tasting the various types of peppers can be a lot like tasting wines. Chiles that come from the same area may have similar flavors just as grapes grown in the same vineyard or region may have a similar flavor. They can also vary widely depending on how long they have been dried, which gives them their different colors, and what they have been stored with, which also affects their taste.
The simplest way to buy these chilies is by dried weight or by head count. You can purchase them at many specialty grocers or online. They will last for up to one year when stored in an airtight container away from direct sunlight and heat.
These chilies are named
New York City’s most famous culinary contributions to the world (sorry, but they pretty much are) are pizza and bagels. Both of which have almost nothing in common with each other, except that they have become iconic foods by being available everywhere.
The pizza slice and bagel were both invented here; the bagel by Ashkenazi Jews who immigrated here from Central Europe, and the slice by Italian immigrants who then proceeded to open up pizza joints all over the city. The pizza slice was inspired by a similar thing you could get in Italy, where as the New York Times explained back in 1997 (and I’m paraphrasing here), you’d go into a pizzeria, order a pie, and then cut out whatever size slice you wanted from it. It was invented by Salvatore Consiglio at Ideal Pizzeria on Spring Street in 1927. The article describes how Consiglio got inspiration for his creation from customers he saw cutting off pieces of pies:
“They were big fellows,” said Mr. Consiglio, whose own weight is 215 pounds. “I said to myself: ‘If they can do that with a pie, why can’t I do it with a slice?’ So I tried it.”
He began making slices at
