HotPepperIndex
Poblano
Capsicum annuum

Poblano

Puebla, Mexico
Mild
Also known asPoblano Pepper · Chile Poblano · Ancho (when dried)
Scoville
0SHU
Heat0%
1k–2k SHU · PepperScale, Chili Pepper Madness, Wikipedia

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).

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.

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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.

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Flavor

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.

earthysmokyslightly sweetrichmild heat

Culinary uses

chiles rellenos (stuffed & fried)roastedmole saucessoupsstewsrajas (grilled strips)dried as ancho chiles

Substitutions

Anaheimbell pepper

Related variants

Appearance

Size
4-6 inches long
Skin
thick, dark, slightly wrinkled
Color
dark green to reddish-brown
Flesh
thick, meaty
Shape
large, heart-shaped or tapered

Growing

Sun
full sun
Soil
well-drained fertile loam
Notes
Loves warm weather. Very productive. Excellent for containers.
Water
consistent
Harvest
pick dark green for classic flavor or let ripen to red/brown
Plant height
2-3 ft
Days to maturity
75-85

Nutrition

Per 100g approx
Calories: 40 · Vitamin a: high · Vitamin c: very high

Origin detail

Region
Puebla
Country
Mexico
Breeder
Traditional Mexican landrace

Tags

mexicanheirloomstuffing-pepperrellenosmildthick-walleddark-green

Sources

Huge shout-out to the breeders, growers, researchers, and seed savers linked below — their independent work is what lets us fact-check our own. Go visit them.

These references are used to verify what we publish — not as the source of the content itself. Seed catalogs, breeder pages, research papers, and cultivar databases let us cross-check every fact before it lands here. Open any card to read the original or dig deeper.

4 sources · Added May 7, 2026, 14:50 UTC · Updated May 11, 2026, 12:25 UTC
Origins
A World of Capsicum
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