Red Thai Chile Peppers

Inventory, 10 lbs : 1.18
This item was last sold on : 09/29/22

• 37 Featured Restaurants

• 13 Recipe Ideas

• 6 ShareMarket®

Description/Taste

Red Thai chile peppers vary in size and shape, depending on the specific variety, and are generally small, conical, and slender, tapering to a point on the non-stem end. The pods range in length from 2 to 7 centimeters, and the skin is smooth, taut, and waxy, ripening from green to bright red when mature. Underneath the surface, the flesh is thin, crisp, and pale red, encasing a central cavity filled with small, round, and flat cream-colored seeds. Red Thai chile peppers have a fruity, subtly earthy flavor with a pungent heat that slowly builds and then lingers on the palate.

Seasons/Availability

Red Thai chile peppers are available year-round.

Current Facts

Red Thai chile peppers, botanically classified as Capsicum annuum, are mature pods that belong to the Solanaceae or nightshade family. The name Thai chile is a general descriptor used to encompass many different varieties of peppers commonly used in Thailand that share a similar size, shape, and spice level. The peppers are also given local nicknames in different regions, which can cause confusion in the markets. As a solution, the peppers are generally labeled as Thai chile peppers to create a coheame. There are two primary varieties of Thai chile peppers cultivated today, including prik kee noo suan, also known as the “mouse dropping pepper,” a name given for the pepper’s small and unassuming size, and prik chee fah or the red spur chile pper. Thai chiles are also sometimes known as Bird’s Eye or simply Bird chile pepper, which is a nickname given as a result of their unique appeal to birds. Throughout Thailand, Red Thai chile peppers have been widely adopted into traditional cuisine since their introduction in the 15th and 16th centuries. The peppers are left on the plants to fully develop before harvesting and have a moderate to hot level of spice, ranging 50,000-100,000 SHU on the Scoville scale. Red Thai chile peppers are often used as a garnish and are used whole or minced to flavor sauces, oils, and pastes.

Nutritional Value

Red Thai chile peppers are a good source of vitamins A and C, which are antioxidants that can boost the immune system, increase collagen production, and help prevent vision loss. The peppers also contain fiber, copper, potassium, vitamins B6 and K, and capsaicin, which is a chemical compound that triggers the brain to feel the sensation of heat or spice. Capsaicin has been shown to provide anti-inflammatory benefits.

Applications

Red Thai chiles are best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as sautéing, stir-frying, and boiling. The fresh peppers can be sliced and tossed into salads, minced into marinades and dressing, or blended into pastes, sauces, and dips. In Thailand, a popular table condiment known as nahm bplah mixes the diced peppers with fish sauce, spices, and garlic for a spicy flavoring. Red Thai chile peppers are also incorporated into soups such as tom kha, curries, stir-fries, and cooked meats such as pla rad prik, which is a fried fish drizzled in chili sauce. In addition to food-based dishes, Red Thai chile peppers can be stirred into spicy cocktails or dried and ground into a powder for use as a spice. Red Thai chile peppers pair well with coconut milk, lime juice, garlic, onions, shallots, peanuts, herbs such as cilantro, mint, and Thai basil, bell peppers, yuzu, eggplant, potatoes, and meats such as fish, poultry, pork, and beef. The fresh peppers will keep up to two weeks when stored whole and unwashed in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

In Thai cuisine, Red Thai chile peppers are used as a brightly colored ingredient to create a balanced dish. Presentation is an essential component of dining in Thailand, and dishes must have visual stimulation through the use of color as well as a delicate combination of sweet, salty, spicy, and umami flavors. Both fresh and dried Red Thai chile peppers are often used whole with the stem left intact to provide color, texture, and spice. Whole peppers are also commonly carved to make decorative flowers to enhance the visual appeal of a dish. In addition to balancing a meal, Red Thai chile peppers are used as a natural way to cool the body and are used in traditional medicine as a detoxing ingredient. In humid and hot weather, the capsaicin in the peppers will cause the body to sweat, creating a cooling effect to help reduce the internal core temperature and provide a reprieve from the surrounding environment.

Geography/History

Red Thai chile peppers are descendants of spicy peppers native to South America that have been growing wild since ancient times. The original pepper varieties were introduced to Southeast Asia in the 15th and 16th centuries via Portuguese explorers, and since their introduction, the peppers have been selectively bred over generations to create many of the varieties that are labeled as Thai chile peppers today. Red Thai chile peppers are extensively cultivated across Thailand, grown commercially on hillsides, terraces, and in irrigated paddy fields after the rice-growing season, and are sold in local markets. The peppers are also commonly grown in home gardens. Outside of Thailand, Red Thai chile peppers are grown in Europe and North America and are sold through specialty grocers and farmer's markets. They are also sold in canned form in select grocers.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Paradisaea Restaurant	La Jolla CA	732-915-6669
Pizza Cassette	San Diego CA	802-310-5601
Hane	San Diego CA	619-339-6438
Red O Restaurant	San Diego CA	858-291-8360
Huntress (Bar)	San Diego CA	619-955-5750
Pokewan (Del Mar)	San Diego CA	858-847-2881
Redwing Bar & Grill	San Diego CA	619-281-8700
Dija Mara 2021	Oceanside CA	760-231-5376
Open Gym-White Rice Bodega	San Diego CA	619-289-9182
Animae	San Diego CA	619-925-7908
Blue Ocean	Carlsbad CA	760-434-4959
Monello	San Diego CA	619-822-5493
Kingfisher	San Diego CA	619-861-8074
Hoxton Manor LLC	San Diego CA	760-586-9533
Alila Marea Beach Resort (Pocket)	Encinitas CA	805-539-9719
Artifact at Mingei	San Diego CA	619-846-2164
Mesa College	San Diego CA	619-388-2240
Nolita Hall	San Diego CA	619-618-8820
Park Commons - ARE	San Diego CA	619-295-3172
Rubicon Deli India Street	San Diego CA	619-200-4201

the other 17...

Kettner Exchange	San Diego CA	909-915-9877
Eco Caters Organics	San Diego CA	619-997-8792
Ewa 88	National City CA	619-739-0522
Herb & Sea	Encinitas CA	858-587-6601
Saiko Sushi-North Park	San Diego CA	619-886-6656
Trust Restaurant	San Diego CA	609-780-7572
Common Stock	San Diego CA	805-638-8367
White Rice LPM	San Diego CA	619-564-2618
Izakaya Maize/Rabih Sus Izakaya Maíze/Rabih S	La Mesa CA	619-395-6383
Bali Hai Restaurant	San Diego CA	619-222-1181
Pacific Coast Grill	Solana Beach CA	858-794-4632
Lumi (Bar)	San Diego CA	619-955-5750
Tahona (Kitchen)	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Carte Hotel	San Diego CA	619-365-1858
Park & Rec	San Diego CA	619-717-3925
La Clochette Du Coin-Pacific Beach	San Diego CA	619-402-7911
AToN Center Inc.	Encinitas CA	858-759-5017

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Red Thai Chile Peppers. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Rasa Malaysia		Spicy Clams in Thai Roasted Chili Paste
Jeanette's Healthy Living		Fresh Thai Chili Garlic
No Thyme to Waste		Red Thai Coconut Curry
Jeanette's Healthy Living		Thai Bird Chili Pepper Sauces
The Healthy Foodie		Homemade Fermented Pickles and Hot Peppers
Eating Asia		Sambal Hijau with Rimbang
Hapa Nom Nom		Thai Style Hot Dogs
Passionate Eater		Vietnamese Green Papaya Salad (Goi Du Du)
Kitchen At Hoskins		Pineapple Chili Margaritas
Gimme Some Oven		Thai Basil Chicken

the other 3...

Tigers and Strawberries		Chinese Chile-Garlic Sauce
The Endless Meal		Coconut Oil Fried Brussels Sprouts with Garlic, Chilies and Lime
Cook with Mi		Thai Style Paku Pakis with Dried Baby Shrimp

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