Chipotle peppers are jalapeños that have been allowed to mature and turn red on the vine. They are then smoked and dried. Smoking jalapeños dates back to the Aztecs, who were thought to smoke the peppers as a way to preserve them.  This process imbues the peppers with a smoky, deep well-balanced heat, which makes chipotle powder a great addition on any Mexican or Tex-Mex dish. Chipotle powder is also used in many spice blends and rubs for chicken, pork and beef. Our chipotle powder ranges from 4 to 5 on a 1-10 heat scale and should be added a dash at a time until the desired heat level is reached.