Crushed Habanero Chiles, Capsicum chinense, are crazy-hot chiles that measure 100,000-350,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). They are also known as crushed habanero pepper flakes, habanero pepper flakes, habanero flakes, crushed habanero, or dried habanero flakes.

Many people mispronounce the word habanero. We often pronounce the n in habanero as though it is the ñ with a tilde over it, like in the word jalapeño. This is an example of hyperforeignism, a phenomenon that happens when foreign words enter the vocabulary and we are unsure of accents and pronunciation. Even though it resembles the more familiar word jalapeño, the n in habanero does not have a tilde and is pronounced simply and with no effect on the vowel that follows it; it is ha-ba-NEH-ro, not ha-ba-NYE-ro.

Crushed Habanero Chiles are popular with: 

• seasoning companies; 
• manufacturers of jams, salts, dog food and supplements, soda, and sparkling water; 
• barbecue restaurants; 
• food trucks; 
• independent spice shops; 
• brewers; and 
• distillers

One heaping half-teaspoon of Crushed Habanero Chiles is approximately equal to one Habanero Chile or one level teaspoon of Habanero Chile Powder. We also have Organic Habanero Chile Powder available. 

Flavor Profile

Crushed Habanero Chiles have a fiery heat followed by a sweetness reminiscent of mango, coconut, and papaya.

How To Use

Crushed Habanero Chiles should be added sparingly to a dish until you are sure of the impact of its heat. Always use a utensil when measuring them or, if you must use your hands, wear gloves. Habanero Chile Powder is delicious in Pineapple Habanero Salsa. Add an extra hit of heat to Jamaican Chicken Stir Fry. Make a spicy side dish with Braised Ethiopian Collard Greens. Stir this into Trinidad Style Curry Chicken, or use to boost the heat in Vegetarian Bean Chili or White Bean and Turkey Chili. Make some extra-fiery Spicy Coconut Shrimp.

Use in marinades, dressings, salsas, curries, on grilled meats, vegetables, in chili, soup, stew, and in savory fruit applications. 

Habanero pairs well with fruits like mango, banana, plantain, papaya, and pineapple. Use with chicken, shrimp, fish, oranges, lemons, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, carrots, lemongrass, chocolate, cilantro, and coriander.