Chipotle [chee-POT-tleh] peppers are smoked jalapeno chile peppers and are also known as chile ahumado.

Chipotles date back to region that is now northern Mexico City, prior to the Aztec civilization. Although no one really knows for sure, it is assumed that the Aztecs smoked the chilies because the thick, fleshy, jalapeno was difficult to dry and prone to rot. The Aztecs used the same "smoke drying" process for the chilies as they used for drying meats. This smoking allowed the chilies to be stored for a substantial period of time. Today, one fifth of Mexico's jalapeno crop is processed into chipotles.

Chipotle powder is very difficult to find. We slow smoke and dry our fresh Jalapeno Peppers using hickory for a 20 hour period. The dried peppers are then ground and packaged in spice jars.

The smoky Jalapeno flavour really adds a lot to soups, stews, sauces and chilies. Just use the powder it as you would any other chili powder.


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