
What is a Chipotle, anyway?
If you’re anything like us and are obsessed with this smoky and earthy spice, you might still be surprised to learn exactly what a chipotle pepper is. Maybe you've seen a chipotle pepper; maybe you've even cooked with one or had it on a plate of fajitas as a garnish. These days, we're willing to bet you've said the word at least once in the last few years, especially if you're the guy who ate at Chipotle every day for 186 days in a row. We're also willing to bet you've never tasted the new Salmon Brokers Chipotle Salmon Burger, at least not yet.
A chipotle pepper is merely a smoked, dried jalapeño. That’s it.
It's believed that Chipotle comes the Nahuatl word, "chipotle" which means "smoked chili pepper." In short, it is a smoke-dried jalapeño. It is used primarily in Mexican and Mexican-inspired cuisines, such as Mexican-American, Tex-Mex, and southwestern dishes and recipes -- a good example is the Chipotle Salmon Burger.
Most chipotle chilis are produced in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua. This variety of chipotle is known as a Morita, which is Spanish for small mulberry. In central and southern Mexico, chipotle chilis are known as chile meco, chile ahumado, or tipico. Morita's from Chihuahua are purple in color, while chile meco is tan/gray in color. Most chipotle chilis found in the United States are of the morita variety. Almost all of the chipotle meco is consumed in Mexico.
Chipotles are purchased in a variety of forms, including chipotle powder, chipotle pods, chipotles en adobo in a can, concentrated chipotle base, and wet chipotle meat marinade. There are many more varieties of chilis that are smoke-dried including red jalapeños, serranos, habaneros, and Santa Fe Grande chilis.
Chipotles are often an essential ingredient in many dishes including our own Chipotle Salmon Burger. They impart a relatively mild but earthy spiciness that can bring some heat to your palate as well as a distinctive smoky flavor.
Try the Salmon Brokers Chipotle Salmon Burger and we bet you will be hooked. Maybe not like the guy who ate at Chipotle for 186 days in a row but we believe you will make this healthy and nutritious burger a part of your regular diet.