Chile de Árbol
Also known as Arbol Chile · Bird's Beak Chile · Rat's tail chile
The Chile de Árbol is a small, slender, fiery Mexican chili known for its bright red color and clean, smoky heat. It is widely used in dried form for salsas, hot sauces, and seasoning blends.
About 6.7 times a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU typical).
Growing
~90 days to maturity
Fruit size
5–8 cm
Flavor & Use
Smoky and nutty with a clean, sharp heat and subtle sweetness. When toasted it develops a rich, toasted flavor that adds depth without overpowering other ingredients.
Culinary
About
Chile de Árbol peppers are thin, 2–4 inches long, with a curved, tree-branch shape (hence the name “de árbol”). They ripen from green to a vibrant bright red and are most commonly used dried. The skin is smooth and the walls are thin but flavorful.
Backstory
One of the most common dried chiles in Mexican cuisine for centuries. Its name means “tree chile” because the pods grow upright on the plant like small branches. It is a key ingredient in many traditional salsas and is prized for its ability to add both heat and complex flavor when toasted.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
ExploreWe don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is Chile de Árbol?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 141,073–194,592 SHU (Lab-verified; typical 167,833). Capsi uses a sourced range and a trust tier, not a single marketing number. How we verify heat: https://web.thecapsi.app/learn/heat-and-capsaicin/how-we-measure-heat
- What does Chile de Árbol taste like?
- Smoky and nutty with a clean, sharp heat and subtle sweetness. When toasted it develops a rich, toasted flavor that adds depth without overpowering other ingredients.
- How do I grow Chile de Árbol?
- Chile de Árbol: about 90 days to maturity, subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
- What can I substitute for Chile de Árbol?
- cayenne, serrano