Padron Chile Pepper
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Each Padron chile pepper is unique in heat, but similar in shape and size. Young Padrons are lime green and approximately two inches in length with curved and grooved furrows along their skin. They are piquant and peppery with a savory grassy flavor and a crunchy texture. It is not uncommon to find a firey chile in the mix (roughly one in 10), making for a bit of Padron roulette. While there is no visual way to tell how hot a young Padron chile will be, as they age they will deepen in color and eventually, as in many chile varieties, turn fire engine red and intensify dramatically in their heat level. Thus, it is safe to assume that mature Padron chiles will be hot. Typically, the Padron is a mild to hot chile, ranging from 500- 2,500 units in the Scoville index.
Seasons/Availability
Padron chile peppers are available in the summer.
Current Facts
Padron chile peppers, Pimientos de Padron, are a single heirloom non-hybrid variety of chile and members of the Capsicum family of Americas. The Capsicum family includes sweet chiles and hot chiles, among them some of the hottest chiles in the world (Habanero, Ghost). Their heat is directly related to how much capsaicin they contain, which is mainly found in their seeds and inner ribs. The younger the Capsicum chile, generally the less capsaicin levels. Padron chiles are picked immaturely so as to avoid the higher levels of capsaicin, allowing for an entirely edible fruit.
