The History of Poblano Peppers

Poblano Peppers (Capsicum annuum) originated in or near Cholula, an ancient city located in Puebla, Mexico. It’s widely believed that poblano peppers were consumed as early as 700 AD and were part of the diet of the Aztecs. Poblano peppers are a key ingredient in many modern Mexican dishes, too, including mole poblano. (Mole poblano was reportedly created in Puebla by a nun around the 17th century.) Additionally, dried poblano peppers are known as ancho chilis, which are another staple in Mexican cooking. Widely consumed in their native Mexico as well as in the United States today, poblano peppers have been providing flavor and mild heat in Mexican-style dishes for many centuries.