Poblano
Also known as Poblano Pepper · Chile Poblano · Ancho (when dried)
Poblano is a Capsicum annuum cultivar from Puebla, Mexico. Capsi’s sourced range is 1,369 SHU (Lab-verified; typical 1,369). Flavor is earthy, smoky, slightly sweet, rich, mild heat. Used for chiles rellenos (stuffed & fried), roasted, mole sauces, soups, stews. Heat is a range, not a single marketing number.
The Poblano is a large, mild-to-medium Mexican heirloom pepper famous for its deep flavor and thick walls. It is the classic pepper used in the iconic Mexican dish chiles rellenos (stuffed and fried).
About 1/23 the typical heat of a Capsi Jalapeño (31,902 SHU).
Growing
~80 days to maturity
Fruit size
10–15 cm
Flavor & Use
Rich, earthy, and slightly smoky with a gentle warmth. Much more flavorful than a green bell pepper; the thick walls hold up beautifully when roasted or stuffed.
Culinary
About
Poblano peppers are large (4–6 inches long), heart-shaped or tapered, with dark green skin that turns reddish-brown when fully ripe. They have thick, meaty walls and a rich, slightly smoky flavor. Heat is gentle for most pods but can vary depending on growing conditions.
Backstory
Originating in the state of Puebla, Mexico, the Poblano has been cultivated for centuries. When dried it becomes the famous ancho chile used in mole sauces. It remains a cornerstone of Mexican cuisine and is beloved worldwide for its versatility and rich flavor.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
We don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.
The named parents aren't linked in Capsi yet.
Peppers bred from Poblano
Sources
Heat figures in Capsi are tied to a source and a trust tier. How we verify heat
- 1,369 SHU · Lab-verifiedL. Orellana-Escobedo, L.E. Garcia-Amezquita, G.I. Olivas, J.J. Ornelas-Paz, D.R. Sepulveda (2013) CyTA - Journal of Food · HPLC10.1080/19476337.2012.716082
- 1,000–2,000 SHU · Official breederUniversity of Florida IFAS Extension
- 1,000–1,500 SHU · Vendor ClaimPepperScale
- 1,000–2,000 SHU · Vendor ClaimChili Pepper Madness
- 1,000–2,000 SHU · Vendor ClaimPepperScale (1,000–1,500), Gardenia.net/UF IFAS (1,000–2,000 range), Chili Pepper Madness
- pepperscale.compepperscale.com
- gardenia.netgardenia.net
- gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edugardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu
- healthline.comhealthline.com
- chilipeppermadness.comchilipeppermadness.com
- en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org
- specialtyproduce.comspecialtyproduce.com
Last updated 18 Aug 2026 at 07:17
FAQ
- How hot is Poblano?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 1,369 SHU (Lab-verified; typical 1,369). 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 Poblano taste like?
- Rich, earthy, and slightly smoky with a gentle warmth. Much more flavorful than a green bell pepper; the thick walls hold up beautifully when roasted or stuffed.
- How do I grow Poblano?
- Poblano: about 80 days to maturity, subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
- What can I substitute for Poblano?
- Anaheim, bell pepper