Chili peppers come in various varieties, each with unique flavors, heat levels, and culinary uses. Common types include Jalapeño, known for its moderate heat and versatility in dishes, and Habanero, which is much hotter and adds a fruity flavor. Other popular varieties include Serrano, Poblano, and Cayenne, each contributing distinct tastes to recipes.
The heat of chili peppers is measured on the Scoville scale, which quantifies their spiciness based on the concentration of capsaicin. Mild peppers like Bell peppers have a Scoville rating of zero, while extremely hot varieties like Carolina Reaper can exceed 2 million Scoville heat units.