Cooking Tip

Why are Chile Peppers Hot?

• The heat in chili peppers is generated by a substance in the interior ribs or strings of the chiles, rather than in the seeds. Since the seeds are in such proximity with the veins, they carry the essence of hotness. In general, the smaller the pepper, the more potent its "bite". Peppers which are harvested have often reached their maximum degree of hotness; peppers left on the vine to dry become somewhat sweeter, rather than hotter.