Chipotle derives from the Nahuatl word Chilpoktli and its pronounced [Chee-POT-tleh] or [Chi-poht-lay]. Chipotle is a brown, shriveled, smoked dried jalapeno also known as chili ahumado. The Chipotle peppers date back to peoples prior to the Aztecs that inhabited the area surrounding Mexico City. It’s believed that the Aztecs smoked the peppers using the same “smoke drying” process they used for drying meat, in order to preserve the peppers longer, because the jalapeno was prone to rot. Jalapenos naturally ripen and turn bright red, around the end of the growing season. Chipotles are made after the jalapenos turn red and have lost most of their moisture. They are then put into a closed chamber spread on metal grills; smoke then enters the sealed chamber after wood is placed in a firebox. To improve smoke penetration the jalapenos must be stirred every few hours. The jalapenos must be smoked using this process until most of the moisture is removed, usually lasting several days. When done smoking, the jalapenos have dried having a brownish color and looking like a raisin or a plum. When smoked the jalapenos loose a little bit of their heat, as it gets combined with the taste of smoke.

Many love chipotles not only for its spicy flavor, but because of the natural wood smoke taste that accompanies the pepper. Chipotle peppers have medium heat, and a distinctive flavor. They can be purchased in various forms like Chipotle pods, Chipotle powder, Chipotles in Adobo sauce in a can, chipotle paste and many more. Chipotles are an essential ingredient in Mexican Cuisine; giving a mild and earthy spiciness to many Mexican recipes. Because of its smoky and jalapeno flavor, Chipotles are used to make salsas, soups, chili, stews, sausage, spice rubs, BBQ sauces, hot sauces and Adobo which is made by grinding and combining other spices. Using the whole chipotles in your recipes; seeds included, will result in hot but not super hot dishes.

MexGrocer brings you the best brands of Chipotle peppers and sauces so you can prepare the best dishes and appetizers.

Chipotle en Adobo Sauce – Chipotles packed in a can with a sauce made with tomato sauce, vinegar, spices, and other chiles. You can use the chilies, the sauce, or both in your recipes. Some Chipotle products you can use in your favorite recipes are Embasa Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce, Herdez Chipotles in Adobo Sauce, La Costena Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce, San Marcos Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce, and La Morena Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce. If you like it hot, then give your recipes a kick with La Victoria Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce – Hot. For a gourmet flavor use Roland Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce.

Chipotle Chili Paste – Adds further to the Chipotles durability, it may contain other peppers to moderate the heat of the chipotles. MexiChef Chipotle Pepper Paste makes an excellent addition to soups, rubs for vegetables and grilled meats, meat prepared for tacos, chilies, and other fillings.

Chipotle Sauce – Today, there are many variations of chipotle sauces and seasonings that create an array of interesting products that range from a creamy sauce or finishing sauce, taco sauce, seasoning and gourmet sauces. MexGrocer proudly brings you a collection of sauces so you can spice up all of your dishes: La Victoria Chipotle Taco Sauce Medium to bring your tacos to life, San Marcos Chipotle Sauce, La Morena Homemade Style Chipotle Sauce, pour Knorr Chipotle Sauce over hot cooked chicken or turkey, Enchiladas and fried eggs, Sabores Aztecas Chipotle Salsa, Dip a chip with El Pinto All Natural Wild and Fiery Chipotle Salsa – hot or El Pinto All Natural Chipotle – Medium and make delicious soups and stews with Chile Chipotle Spicy Sauce by Max’s Chile Pepper Blends. To add a gourmet flavor to your favorite dishes use Zaaschila Chipotle Creamy Salsa Spread and Roland Spicy Chipotle Finishing Sauce to add a kick to any sandwich or wrap, and use Fischer & Wieser The Orginal Raspberry Chipotle Sauce for a crowd-pleasing appetizer on meatball or cocktail sausages, as a barbecue sauce, glaze, basting sauce for poultry, shrimp, meats or simply as a dip. Pour Buffalo Chipotle Sauce or El Yucateco Chipotle Hot Sauce over vegetables, eggs or potato chips.

Make sure to use Dried Chile Chipotle Chili Pods to give flavor to stews, soups or in the braising liquid for meats! Give your soups and stews a spicy kick with Knorr Chipotle Bouillon and make a killer barbecue sauce or salsa using San Miguel Chiles Chipotles.

If you love chipotle chiles or know someone who does, then this is the perfect gift pack for you and those on your shopping list. The Chipotle Lovers Gift Pack comes packed with the best brands of chipotles in different types of presentations, such as hot sauces, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chipotle sauce, in taco sauce and finishing sauce, as well as cooking paste. Perfect for chefs, amateurs and chile lovers, with this wide range of varieties, you will find your favorite chipotle peppers to enjoy in your favorite authentic Mexican meal.