Here are 4 types of Thai chilis you need to know!

Thai food is some of the tastiest food. It also happens to be some of the spiciest. While I'm not a huge spicy-food person, depending on what it is, I do love Thai food. The good thing is that there are different levels of heat to choose from, so it can be more customizable to different palates (or stomachs).

Thai chilis are used in a variety of ways. For example, they can be fresh, fried, dried, and even pickled. They are used in tons of dishes, such as soups, salads, pastes, and dips. We are going to talk about some of the different types of Thai peppers and their spice levels:

How to Measure Heat

If you watch Hot Ones, you may be aware of the Scoville system. This system works by using Scoville Heat Units (SHU) to measure the concentration of capsaicin. Capsaicin is the active component in chilis, where they get their spice. These units measure how many times the capsaicin needs to be diluted in sugar water for it to lose its spice and taste. To put it simply, a SHU measures how much capsaicin is present, and a higher SHU means it is spicier. 

While generic Scoville scales tend to combine all Thai chilis together, that really shouldn't be the case. In fact, there are over 79 types of Thai chilis, with varying spice levels. Let's take a look at a few different types!

Prik Ban Chang

We're going to start off by looking at a milder pepper. Prik Ban Chang peppers usually have a SHU between 30,000 and 60,000. They get their name from the Ban Chang district of Samut Songkhram, where they are grown. However, they are originally from South America. Prik Ban Chang peppers have an oblong shape, smooth skin, and measure around 5-7 inches. These peppers have a slightly spicy and peppery taste, with a touch of freshness. Prik Ban Chang peppers are commonly used for stews, soups, and rice.

Prik Mun

These guys are also relatively mild, ranking at around 20,000-50,000 SHU. The name "Prik Mun" translates to "oily chili." It's not surprising, given the name, that these chilis possess an oily texture. These peppers are grown all over Thailand and can be found at most Thia restaurants. They made for a great relish-like condiment where they are cut into slices and pickled, that work across multiple dishes. Prik Mun peppers are about 3-5 inches and have glossy and oily skin. The taste is sweeter, but with a kick of spice, while still remaining on the milder side. 

Prik Kee Nok-Bird's Eye Chili

Prik Kee Nok peppers get their name from their small size, round shape, and because birds spread their seeds. Their SHU is usually between 50,000 and 100,000. These only grow to 1-2 inches. They come in a variety of colors, including purple, black, green, orange, and red. These are very spicy and very popular. They are often used in hot sauces, as well as stir-fries, noodle dishes, meat dishes, and soups. They even have medicinal uses, such as treating arthritis and toothaches. 

Prik Kee Noo Suan

This pepper is a variation of the Bird's Eye Chili. Prik Kee Noo Suan peppers are tiny but punchy. The name actually means "mouse dropping chili," due to the size. They grow to be about 2 inches. These peppers rank between 80,000 and 100,000 SHU. Their skin is both glossy and bumpy. The flavor can be difficult to detect because, more than anything, you're going to notice the heat. They can be green, orange, or red, depending on ripeness, with the green color providing the most spice on the front end. The red variety pack just as much heat as an aftertaste. These peppers are a main ingredient in dishes such as green curry and tom yum. 

This is only a small dip into the world of Thai chilis. If you've learned anything from this, it should be that Thai chilis are not all the same, and should not be grouped together as one, as they oftentimes are. There are so many types of varying degrees of heat and different flavor profiles, used in many Thai dishes.

If you're looking for some absolutely amazing Thai food in Denver, where you can experiment with spice levels, I recommend Daughter Thai. Daughter Thai is owned by 3 awesome Thai women, and they're bringing us authentic Thai food with a Denver twist. This spot is absolutely worth checking out.

Do you have a favorite chili pepper? Let us know in the comments!