Havana Red Hot Pepper
About Havana Red Hot Pepper
The Havana Red Hot Pepper is a small and relatively new chili pepper native to Cuba. It is a sweet pepper variety that has a vibrant red color, thin skin, and can grow up to less than two inches in length. The Havana Red Hot Pepper is a medium to hot pepper, providing a satisfying “kick” to the palette, with a Scoville Heat Unit rating of 40,000-50,000 SHU. This vibrant, flavorful pepper has become a local favorite among chefs, home cooks, and chili enthusiasts in the Caribbean islands due to its sweet and mildly piquant flavor.
The Havana Red Hot Pepper is a member of the Capsicum annuum species, which is the largest pepper group in the world. This particular species of pepper is an herbaceous, usually annual plant which often has branched stems and is grown and processed as a seasoning. The Havana Red Hot is related to bell peppers, sweet Italian peppers, and complex hot peppers.
When cooking with Havana Red Hot Peppers it is important to note that its thin skin makes it a delicate pepper, and it is best consumed when it is slightly overcooked. Its especially amazing grilled for a slight smokiness, or lightly sautéed in fajitas or stir-fries. Experienced pepper-eaters will enjoy the fiery taste and sweetness of the Havana Red Hot Pepper and use it to add complexity and a kick to various dishes.
The thin skin also means that it can be dried or made into a salsa. It also pairs exceptionally well with Rice dishes and can bring an additional depth of flavor to traditional latin cuisine. Boiling them in a simple broth with seasonings can produce a bold flavoring. And it can also be used with anything from eggs to poultry and fish to make a tantalizing meal.
For the more adventurous pepper-eater, eating one raw is a particularly enjoyable experience. It’s sweet, smoky taste will have you smacking your lips with delight. If you’re brave enough to try a raw Havana Red Hot Pepper, it is important to remember that it is exceptionally spicy. It is that perfect balance of hot, sweet, and smoky that makes the Havana Red Hot Pepper living up its delicious reputation.