VarietiesC. annuumMediumMulato pepper
MediumC. annuumMexico

Mulato pepper

Mulato · Chile Mulato · Mulato Isleño · Mulato Roque

3,000Scoville Heat Units

Heat context

Carolina Reaper
Ghost Pepper
Habanero
Mulato peppe…
Botanical data
Heat (SHU)3,000
SpeciesC. annuum
OriginMexico
Days to mature90
Plant height60–90 cm
Wall thicknessThick
Ripe colourdark brown to black
YieldModerate
Growth habitBush
Germination7-14
FoliageGreen
Unripe colourdark green

About this variety

The mulato is a dried, fully mature poblano pepper, distinguished from the ancho by its chocolate-brown to black color and more complex flavor. Essential to mole poblano and other traditional Mexican sauces, it offers a unique combination of sweet, smoky notes with hints of chocolate, dried cherry, and tobacco that deepens during the drying process.

Flavour profile

chocolatesmokydried cherrytobaccosweetearthy
Culinary scores
Sauce
10/10
Drying
10/10
Pickling
4/10

Culinary uses

Essential ingredient in mole poblano and mole negro, used in traditional Mexican sauces, salsas, and adobos. Typically toasted and rehydrated before blending into complex sauce bases, or ground into powder for seasoning.

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Quick reference

Heat3,000 SHU
SpeciesC. annuum
OriginMexico
Days to ripe90
Ripe colourdark brown to black
Best forSauce, Drying, Essential ingredient in mole poblano and mole negro
Data confidence: 4/5. Sourced from community submissions and verified references. Suggest a correction