I am trying to figure out the proper name for those small green chilies (they're thin, about 2 inches in length) used frequently in Indian recipes. They seemed to be everywhere while I was in London for a month, but I can only find them in New York at Indian groceries. I feel that I must be over thinking this, but still, I'm confused!

Lukas Volger
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8 Comments

luvcookbooks
luvcookbooks October 12, 2010
Thai bird peppers are mild compred to Scotch bonnets. I avoid the stand that sells scotch bonnets at the farmer's market. My lips tingle when i'm near them because the heat aromatizes. Think they're Thai, judging by dimensions.
 
pauljoseph
pauljoseph October 11, 2010
In our language Malayalam we call ''Pachamulagu'' or ''Kappal mulagu'' English it is cayenne chili peppers
 
pierino
pierino October 11, 2010
I'll go with Thai Bird (fits the dimensions described) but I'm staying far away from anything that has a million Scoville units. Apply to tongue. Die.
 
mrslarkin
mrslarkin October 11, 2010
I think they're Serranos.
 
Savorykitchen
Savorykitchen October 11, 2010
I'm with Stockout. I have had pretty good success with Thai bird chilies as a substitute.
 
Stockout
Stockout October 11, 2010
I believe you are talking about the bhut jolokia. Accepted by Guinness World Records in 2007 as the world's spiciest chili, it is grown and eaten in India's northeast for its taste, as a cure for stomach troubles and a way to fight the crippling summer heat. It has more than 1,000,000 Scoville units, the scientific measurement of a chili's spiciness.
Can be bright red or green.

Hope this helps.
 
thirschfeld
thirschfeld October 11, 2010
probably serranos
 
kellysnoms
kellysnoms October 11, 2010
I believe you're talking about Serrano peppers. They are used a lot in Thai dishes, not sure about Indian.
 
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