Which Types of Peppers Are Sweetest?

Peppers are a diverse and versatile ingredient that adds heat, flavor, and color to dishes. Several types of peppers provide a sweet flavor profile with little to no heat, while many peppers are famous for their fiery heat.

In this blog post, we will dive into the hot pepper types that are the sweetest and how to use them in your cooking.

Bell Pepper

The most popular sweet pepper, bell peppers, are available in various colors, including green, red, orange, and yellow.

Bell peppers are sweet, mild, and perfect for salads, stuffed peppers, stir-fries, and as a pizza topping. Although you can roast or grill them for added flavor, people usually consume them raw since they have no heat.

Aji Dulce

Also known as the “sweet chili,” this pepper is a popular ingredient in Caribbean cuisine. It has a mild heat level ranging from 0 to 1,000 on the Scoville scale, making it perfect for those who want to add flavor without the heat.

The Aji Dulce has a fruity, citrusy flavor with floral undertones, making it ideal for salsas, sauces, and marinades.

Cherry Pepper

This small, round pepper is mildly sweet, with a heat level ranging from 0 to 500 on the Scoville scale. People often pickle cherry peppers and use them as a garnish for salads, sandwiches, and pizzas.

Banana Peppers

The banana pepper is a long, tapered pepper with a mild, sweet flavor. It can range in heat from 0 to 500 on the Scoville scale, making it a popular ingredient in salads, sandwiches, and pizza toppings.

Pimento Pepper

Pimento peppers are small, heart-shaped peppers with a sweet flavor and a mild heat level.

Chefs commonly use pimentos in Mediterranean and Caribbean cuisine. They often roast and stuff them with cheese or use them in pimento cheese spreads.

Cubanelle Pepper

Cubanelle peppers are long, tapered peppers that resemble the banana pepper but are thinner and longer. They have a mild heat level ranging from 0 to 1,000 on the Scoville scale and a sweet, slightly spicy taste.

Cubanelle peppers are a popular ingredient in Italian and Latin American cuisine. They are often used in stuffing, sautés, and pizza toppings.

Hungarian Wax Pepper

The Hungarian wax pepper is a medium-sized pepper. It ranges in heat from mild to medium-hot, with a Scoville rating of 1,000 to 15,000. The Hungarian wax pepper has a sweet, tangy taste, making it perfect for pickling, grilling, and stuffing.

Shishito Pepper

The Shishito pepper is a small, mild pepper with a wrinkled skin and a sweet, slightly smoky taste. It is commonly used in Japanese cuisine and is often served as a grilled or sautéed appetizer.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to add a sweet flavor to your dishes, there are several peppers to choose from.

The types of peppers listed above all offer a unique taste profile that can enhance your cooking.

Experiment with these peppers and find your favorite way to use them in your dishes.