Manzana Chile Peppers
Estimated Inventory, 10 lbs : 1.94
This item was last sold on : 12/18/24
Description/Taste
Manzana chile peppers are small, bulbous pods, averaging 3 to 5 centimeters in diameter, and have a spherical to an oval shape, connected to a slender, fibrous green stem. The skin is smooth, taut, and waxy, ripening from light green, bright yellow, to orange when mature. Underneath the surface, the flesh is thick, crisp, yellow-orange, and aromatic, encasing a central cavity filled with very small, round and flat, black seeds. Manzana chile peppers have a fruity, citrus-forward flavor followed by a mild to moderate level of heat, depending on maturity. The plant is also distinguished by its hair-covered leaves, creating a velvety, fuzzy appearance.
Seasons/Availability
Manzana chile peppers are available year-round.
Current Facts
Manzana chile peppers, botanically classified as Capsicum pubescens, are a rare variety that belongs to the Solanaceae or nightshade family. Also known as Manzano, Rocoto, Chile Peron, Chile Caballo, and Chile Ciruelo, Manzana chile peppers are native to South America and are grown in the high elevations of the Andes Mountains. Unlike other pepper varieties that require warm temperatures to grow, Manzana chile peppers thrive in mild, cooler climates, making it somewhat difficult to cultivate outside of mountainous regions in Mexico and South America. Manzana chile peppers have a moderate level of spice ranging 10,000-30,000 SHU on the Scoville scale, and the name Manzana translates from Spanish to mean apple, which is derived from the pepper’s round to oval shape. Manzana chile peppers can be used in both immature and mature states, but they are traditionally and most commonly utilized when orange. The peppers are favored for their fruity flavor and are popularly incorporated into salsas and hot sauces.
Nutritional Value
Manzana chile peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that can help build collagen and protect the immune system, and also contains calcium, potassium, folic acid, and vitamins A and E. In addition to vitamins and minerals, Manzana chile peppers contain capsaicin, which is a chemical compound that triggers the brain to feel spice or heat and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Applications
Manzana chile peppers are best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as roasting, grilling, and baking. The peppers can be chopped into salsas, blended into hot sauces, or used to flavor traditional Peruvian sauces such as huacatay sauce. The peppers are also used to add spice and can be tossed whole into soups, stews, and chilis, sliced into salads, diced and mixed into grilled meat for tacos, layered onto sandwiches, or topped over pizza. In addition to flavoring main dishes, Manzana chile peppers are popularly stuffed with cheeses, grains, and meats, or they are pickled to create a sweet, tangy, and slightly sour flavor. Manzana chile peppers pair well with onions, garlic, tomatoes, potatoes, cheeses such as cotija, jack, and Oaxaca, meats such as beef, pork, fish, and poultry, eggs, olives, herbs such as Mexican oregano, cilantro, parsley, and coriander, avocado, and lime. The fresh peppers will keep up to one week when stored whole and unwashed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Manzana chile peppers are considered to be one of the oldest varieties that are still cultivated today and exhibits unusual qualities such as preferring high altitudes and cooler temperatures. The pepper also belongs to Capsicum pubescens, which is one of the only peppers of this species to be grown in Mexico. Manzana chile peppers are cultivated in the Guerrero, Queretaro, and Chiapas regions in Mexico and are frequently found stacked in large piles at fresh markets, commonly sold for hot sauces and salsa.
Geography/History
Manzana chile peppers date back to the ancient civilizations of the Andes mountain region found within Chile, Peru, and Argentina. The peppers have been growing wild for thousands of years, and ancient pottery and tapestries depict what is believed to be images of the Manzana chile pepper. Today Manzana chile peppers are primarily cultivated in South America and are grown in high elevation regions of Mexico such as Guerrero, Queretaro, and Chiapas. The peppers are also found through specialty markets in southern California.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Park Hyatt Aviara | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
| Rancho Bernardo Inn (Avant) | San Diego CA | 858-675-8505 |
| Crudo Cevicheria & Oyster Bar | San Diego CA | 619-313-9127 |
| Trust Restaurant | San Diego CA | 609-780-7572 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Manzana Chile Peppers. One
is easiest, three is harder.
