Story of the Chipotle

A chipotle is a burst of excitement and flavor. Chipotles are jalapeño peppers that are sun-baked and smoked. Typically in Tex-mex and Mexican inspired cuisine, there are a number of varieties and sizes.

Most chipotles are produced in the Northern Mexican state of Chihuahua. The chili peppers are placed on extensive grills and are stirred every several hours to improve smoke penetration. This process continues for several days until all the moisture from the jalapeño is removed and the finished product resembles a dried raisin or prune. It takes several pounds of jalapeños to produce one pound of chipotles.

The chipotles we use here at the Mt. Adams Trading Company have a coffee brown color, are smoky sweet in flavor and produce subtle chocolate tones. From a spice standpoint, they have a deep, medium heat.