Spice
Fresno
B tier
Fresno chillies resemble jalapeños but ripen commonly to bright red with slightly fruitier heat—excellent raw in salsas and as a colourful garnish chilli from California breeding. Use red Fresnos for fresh heat with visual pop. Green stage is similar to jalapeño. Good pickled. Heat sits in a similar medium band.
Track this ingredient
Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
DriedFlakeFreshPickledPowderRoastedSauceSmoked
Traits
BrightCaliforniaFruitierFruityJalapeño CousinJuicyMedium HotRed Ripe
History
US
Clarence Brown developed the Fresno chilli in California.
US
Fresno entered fresh market programmes.
US
Salsa culture used red Fresnos for colour and heat.
US
Chefs kept Fresnos as a jalapeño alternative with riper fruit notes.