Chile pequin - Why is it called that?

Pequin pepper (or "Piquin") is a hot chile pepper, also known as "bird pepper", is commonly used as a spiceespecially in Mexican cuisine. Birds love eating these peppers, hence the nickname.

The pequin is so small, the largest are scarcely the size of an apple seed. It takes its name, in fact, from Spanish word 'pequeño,' which means small or tiny. Despite its size, this chile packs a wallop. One or two, punctured and dropped into a pot of food, provides a most fiery enhancement.

Chile Pequin

Pequin basically means 'small or tiny' and it's about 5000 times as hot as chile de arbol. Chile Japones is only a bit hotter than arbol. Only the most die-hard chile head can handle a sauce made with chile pequin. If you want a hotter sauce, just add more chile japones.

If you want a hotter sauce with a different flavor, use dried chipotles. They make a nice, smokey salsa.

I've had friends from Mexico City choke on a sauce made from chile pequin. You would put 2-3 drops of it in a whole bowl of pozole.

On a taco or just with totopos, you'd blow the top of your head off.

Of course, if you can eat habaneros, you can probably handle chile pequin as well.

Chile pequin means "small chile". A similar chile, called chiltecpin, means "flea" (fleas are small with a big bite)

All the very small round to oval shaped chiles are very hot and should be used in moderation.

This type of chile is too spicy we call them as'' chile piquin''in spanish, and the birds like to eat them. It's little one ,but you don't know how can be. try it, and you'll know.

No pequin, its piquin, and yes it is small but packs a good wallop when fresh. It is also eaten dehydrated and mixed with lemon and salt, there are several brands and people like to sprinkle it on fruit like mangoes, jicama and pineapple.

Birds love them, hence their nickname 'bird pepper'. ;)