What are Calabrian Chili Peppers?

What are Calabrian Chili Peppers?

Calabrian chili peppers are spicy and flavorful peppers known for their rich, red color and strong, aromatic heat. Originating from the region of Calabria, these peppers are a staple in Italian cuisine, adding a kick to dishes like pasta, pizza, and sauces. Their unique flavor profile - spicy and slightly smoky with fruity undertones - makes them stand out among other peppers.

Want to learn more about spicy food trends? Check out our guide.

Calabrian Chili Peppers: From the Beginning

Calabrian Chili Roots

Calabrian chili peppers are native to the southern region of Calabria, Italy where the warm Mediterranean climate creates ideal growing conditions. Their distinctive blend of flavor and heat is shaped by Calabria’s unique environment. The region’s sunlight, soil acidity, and other natural elements create Calabrian chili peppers’ rich flavor and perfectly balanced heat. They have been a staple in Italian kitchens for generations, adding bold flavor to dishes throughout the years.

Calabrian Culture

Calabrian chili peppers have been cultivated since the 16th century, leaving a lasting impact on the region. As one of Italy's most historically rich areas, Calabria remains the last with over 10% of its population working in agriculture. The local economy relies heavily on farming, particularly the production of native crops like the Calabrian Chili Pepper, olives, and citrus.

Calabrian chili peppers have had such a lasting impact on the region's economy that their significance is celebrated annually with a dedicated festival. For over 30 years, the Diavolicchio Diamante, the local name for the pepper, has been honored in the town of Diamante. During the five-day event, attendees can enjoy educational sessions, cooking demonstrations, and local restaurant expos highlighting the influential chili.

Healthy Heat

Packed with provitamin A and vitamin C, Calabrian chili peppers also offer antiseptic, digestive, and vasodilatory benefits. Italians have embraced these health benefits for years, and ancient cultures even relied on the peppers as a natural antibiotic.

Did you know Italy is home to one of the world's five blue zones? Read more on the blue zones and benefits of the Mediterranean diet in our blog here!

What Makes Calabrian Chili Peppers Unique?

Calabrian chili peppers are more than spicy – they’re flavorful too! Unlike other high-heat peppers, the Calabrian Chili Pepper offers a smokey and slightly fruity flavor that perfectly complements their intense heat.

Spicy, Not Scorching

But just how spicy are these peppers? The Calabrian Chili Pepper has a Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) rating of 25,000 to 40,000. That means they’re spicier than a jalapeño but milder than a habanero, making them approachable to many palates and a punchy addition to many dishes.

Cooking With Calabrians

In the Kitchen

Calabrian chili peppers are often used whole, crushed, or in the form of a paste preserved in either vinegar or oil, making them easy to incorporate into everything from pasta sauces to dips. Their versatility is what makes them a favorite among both chefs and home cooks.

Roland® Calabrian Chili Peppers

At Roland Foods, we have not one but THREE Calabrian Chili Pepper products in unique formats! Always authentically sourced, our Calabrian chili peppers are spicy, fruity, and flavorful. Discover our selection below!

• Whole Calabrian chili peppers in Oil
• Crushed Calabrian chili peppers in Oil
• Whole Calabrian chili peppers in Vinegar

Ready to try Calabrian chili peppers? We’ve curated three mouthwatering recipes using our new Calabrian chili peppers for you to try at home.

• Pizza Topping: Elevate your pizza with whole or sliced Calabrian chili peppers for a smoky, spicy kick in every bite. You can also drizzle Calabrian Chili Pepper oil over your toppings or dough for a perfectly balanced heat. Try our Flame-Grilled Spicy Calabrian Chili Pizza for inspiration!
• Pasta Sauce: Incorporate Calabrian chili peppers into your pasta sauce or a delicious Calabrian Chili Sauce like our Spicy Rolled Lasagna with Calabrian Chili Sauce for a bold twist on a classic.
• Calabrian Hot Honey: Combine the heat of Calabrian chili peppers with the sweetness of honey to create a bold, flavorful condiment. Perfect for a delicious dip on a charcuterie board or sampler board. Explore this idea with our Antipasto Board recipe.

Calabrian Chili Peppers are Trending!

On the rise! Google searches for Calabrian chili peppers have been climbing over the past four years – both consumers and operators are curious about these spicy peppers!

On the Menu

This trend extends beyond authentic Italian cuisine, as Calabrian chili peppers are making their way into fusion dishes, quick bites, and even fast-food menus. Restaurants are incorporating Calabrian chili peppers and Calabrian Chili Oil into sauces and marinades for items like flatbreads, mozzarella sticks, and sandwiches.

See how Calabrian chili peppers are penetrating the menus of your favorite restaurants:

• Carbone: Carbone's famous Spicy Rigatoni, made viral by its unique, spicy-sweet flavor, gets its heat from Calabrian chili peppers
• Blaze Pizza: Blaze Pizza has recently added Spicy Chili Oil to their menu, featuring olive oil infused with Calabrian chili peppers
• Burger King: Burger King’s new “Fiery Menu” offers Fiery Mozzarella Fries containing Calabrian chili peppers
• The Cheesecake Factory: The Cheesecake Factory’s “Bee Sting Flatbread Pizza” gets its spicy kick from Calabrian chili peppers

Online, Too

The excitement about Calabrian chili peppers doesn’t stop in professional kitchens. On TikTok, influencers are raving about Calabrian chili peppers, sharing creative recipes and cooking tips that showcase their versatility. Whether it’s stirring them into sauces, using them as pizza toppings, or making spicy Calabrian Chili Oil, these peppers are capturing significant attention on social media.

Bringing Heat to Every Table

As spicy flavors continue to trend in the food and beverage landscape, we can’t wait to see more exploration into global peppers like the Calabrian Chili Pepper. We hope this guide has been informative and useful for your future chili experimentation.

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