Types of Chilies in Mexican Food
Tipos de chiles en Mexico

Chilies are originally from Central America and Mexico. Chilies are well know by their spicy flavor, attractive aroma; and are eaten cooked, raw, sliced, broken, battered, fried, etc. They are an essential part in all Mexican meals. Its most common presentation is in sauce, apart from meals to be served to the taste of each. Its spicy taste is due to a substance called Capsaicin which is what causes the itching or pungency (spicy heat) of chili peppers.
El chile, - ají (aji) ó guindilla -, es originario de Centroamérica y México. Los chiles estimulan con su sabor picante, su atractivo aroma; y son consumidos cocidos, crudos, en rodajas, triturados, rebozados, fritos, etc. Son parte imprescindible en todas las comidas mexicanas. Su presentación más habitual es en salsa, aparte de las comidas para ser servida al gusto de cada uno. Su sabor picante se debe a una sustancia llamada Capsaicina que es la que provoca el picor, según su concentración será su picante.