Chiltepin vs Pequin (Main Differences)

Chiltepin vs Pequin, these chili peppers confuse a lot of people because of the similarities they have. The Chiltepin chilies are also called bird peppers or chile tepin. This is because birds love this pepper that is very small in size and scatter their seeds.

Pequin peppers are also known as piquin peppers. Their name originates from the Spanish word Pequeno “small” in translation. There are many similarities in their sizes. Which one is the hotter? What are the differences? In our research, we answer all of these questions and many more.

Chiltepin vs Pequin Quick comparison:

In 1997, Texas declared chiltepin (Chile Tepin) the state’s official native pepper. It also includes the Chile Pequin, which is confusing! The chiltepin has a small, round shape while the Pequin pepper has a slightly more pointed and larger size.

Which is hotter: chiltepin, or pequin

Chiltepin peppers are almost always hotter than pequin peppers. Chiltepins have between 50,000 to 100,000 Scoville heat units (SHU). This places them at the lower end for very hot chilies and limits the size of the habanero (350,000 to 350,000 SHU). You can easily double the heat from cayenne pepper (30,000 to 55,000 SHU).

Pequin peppers are slightly more tender than chiltepin and have a spiciness of 40,000 to 60,000 SHU. The beetle is placed on top of the chilies at medium heat. It is hotter than cayenne pepper so don’t let the comparison with chiltepin fool your mind into believing there isn’t heat. It’s still quite plentiful.

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Which is most popular?

These chilies are compared based on how frequently they are searched online globally. The results of comparing all common names are very similar.

Chiltepin holds a slight advantage in popularity, with around 17,000 global searches per month. Pequin is close behind with approximately 15,000 global searches per month.

These two chilies are generally moderately popular. These two chilies are not as popular as the most desired chilies, which can get over 300,000.00 searches per month. However, there are many peppers that come close to these brands.

Chiltepin vs Pequin Difference in Taste

Chiltepins are known for their spicy, fruity taste. Some people also detect earthy and smoky notes in their flavor profiles. Chili pequin is characterized by a distinct citrus flavor and a stronger fruitiness than spicy chiltepin.

Pequin greens have a peppery taste with hints of smoke and hint citrus. Pequins’ peak flavor comes when they reach their ripe red color. The natural smokiness of red pequin can sometimes make them taste a little nutty. The taste is also rich in citrusy fruitiness. Similar to chiltepin, they have similar flavors, but the pequin has more fruitiness.

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Chiltepin vs Pequin Difference in Shapes and Colors?

These peppers can sometimes be confused with one another because they look very similar. It is common to mistakenly label chiltepins with pequins. Chiltepin chillies have a berry-like appearance. Some are more oval than others. Although the chiltepins are brightly reddish, they can be eaten both ripe or green.

Pequin chilies have elongated legs, but they can grow up to 1/2 inch in length and are chiltepin. The average length of a penguin is 3/4 inches, although some can grow to as much as an inch. Red berries are ripe, but both green and red fruits can be eaten.

Chiltepin vs Pequin Origin

The ancient chili chiltepin is an Aztec pepper. It may have been the first chili that all others evolved from. Chiltepin is the only native pepper to the United States. It can be found wild along the U.S./Mexico border. It is protected in several national parks because it is the only native pepper in America. Texas also claims chiltepin to be the pepper of its native state.

The Yaqui and O’odham communities also use these peppers in Arizona and northern Mexico. Native Americans used chiltepins to treat stomach problems and then applied them topically for muscle pain.

Pequin peppers are native to Mexico, specifically Tabasco. Famously, the small peppers are used in the making of Mexican Jalisco sauce called Cholula.

Chiltepin vs Pequin Which is more difficult to find?

Fresh chiltepins will not be easily found in large grocery stores across the United States. These fresh chilies are not likely to be found in grocery stores unless you’re in Mexico. The Texas-Mexico border is the best place to find chiltepin.

Some Mexican grocery stores may carry fresh peppers.

Chiltepin vs Pequin uses in commercial products

Chiltepin products tend to be more common but aren’t very varied. They are basically all sauces and flakes, as well as whole peppers.

You can also find small peppers in whole, dried, and powdered form, as well as spicy sauces such as Cholula. Because of their fruitiness, chickpeas are a popular choice for pepper jams.

These little dried chilies are whole and can be rehydrated to use in Mexican food or simply shred into a tasty (and smokier!) alternative to red pepper flakes.

Drying whole peppers is a great way of adding medium heat to many dishes. You can either rehydrate them or grind them into powder or flakes. They make a great chili for barbecue sauces because of their natural fruitiness and smoky flavor.

Last Words

I hope there’s no more confusion between these two, and hopefully, I’ve answered your questions in regards to the differences between these peppers. If I had to choose between Ciltepin vs Pequin my vote would go in favor of Chiltepin. Because it’s slightly hotter and smaller, nearly weightless but delicious when added to any meal. But that’s just my personal preference.