Whole Chipotle Morita Chiles
Chipotle Morita Chiles are ripe red jalapeño peppers that have been smoked and dried. Allowing the jalapeños to fully ripen gives chipotle chile peppers an inherent fruity-sweet flavor, since the chile has more time to create and store sugar.
Suggested uses
Basic prep
For maximum flavor dry toast chiles in a hot skillet until fragrant or in a 350° oven until puffy and fragrant. Rinse product first with warm water. Soak in hot water for 10 minutes to rehydrate or add directly to recipe that will cook at least 10 minutes. Once rehydrated, cut or purée as desired.
Storage & handling
Store in a dry, cool place for up to 12 months under optimal storage conditions.
Ingredients
Dried chipotle chiles.
Our Whole Chipotle Morita Chiles, which are one of two varieties of chipotle chiles, are fully ripened, smoke-dried jalapeño peppers. When picked early in the season, jalapeños are green – it isn’t until late in the season that the jalapeños lose most of their moisture and begin to turn red. After the ripe jalapeños are harvested, they are then dried and smoked, turning them into chipotle chiles. Allowing the jalapeños to fully ripen gives chipotle chiles an inherent fruity-sweet flavor, since the chile has more time to create and store sugar.
Chipotle morita chiles average about 1-1/2 to 3 inches in length, 1/2 to 1 inch in width, and have a deep reddish-purple color and smoky-fruity flavor. Their heat level is mild to medium, ranging from 12,000 to 26,000 Scoville Heat Units, which is comparable to guajillo and mild serrano chiles.
There are two specific varieties of chipotle chiles – chipotle morita and chipotle meco. Chipotle morita chiles are smaller than chipotle meco chiles, as they are picked earlier in the season, often when the jalapenos are still somewhat green in color. Moritas are also smoked for a shorter amount of time, which allows them to retain much of their sweet, fruity flavor. These chipotles are the most widely used throughout the United States. Chipotle meco chiles are smoked for almost twice as long as moritas, giving them a deeper, smokier flavor and dusty brown color. They are also slightly larger than moritas, ranging from 2 to 4 inches long. Unlike chipotle moritas, chipotle meco chiles are not often seen or used north of their native Mexico.
The use of chipotle chiles is said to date back to the time of the ancient Aztecs, in central-southern Mexico. In fact, the name “chipotle” stems from the Nahuatl word “chilpoctil,” meaning smoked chile. Due to their growing popularity outside of Mexico, chipotle chiles are now grown in the United States as well.
Classic recipe
Homemade Adobo Style Sauce
Chipotle Morita Chiles are known for their smoky, slightly sweet flavor. They are the star ingredient in this quick adobo sauce which blends with spices, vinegar, honey and tomato ketchup. Use this flavorful puree as-is to add depth to soups, stews or BBQ, or mix it with mayonnaise, oil and vinegar for a spicy spread.
