Dried Chipotle Pepper

Dried chipotle pepper is a smoked jalapeño pepper. It is made by drying and smoking ripe red jalapeños, which gives it a distinctive smoky flavor and aroma. The process intensifies the pepper's heat and creates its characteristic dark color.

Manufacturers use dried chipotle peppers primarily as a flavoring agent to add a smoky heat to foods. They are often found in barbecue sauces, marinades, spice blends, and processed meats. Their intense flavor makes them suitable for a wide range of savory dishes.

Dried chipotle pepper is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use as a food ingredient. It is a source of capsaicin, the compound responsible for the heat in chili peppers, which may have antioxidant properties. Regulatory bodies like EFSA have evaluated capsaicinoids, but specific evaluations for dried chipotle pepper as a distinct ingredient are less common. Evidence on health effects is mixed, with some studies suggesting potential benefits and others noting possible gastrointestinal irritation at very high intakes.