TEPIN CHILES, DE-STEMMED (C12)

Often referred to as the bird pepper, these miniature peppers are a favorite of birds and southwestern citizens due to their fiery, fruity flavor that is perfect for Mexican dishes like posole. Resembling a berry more than a chile, these pint-sized chiles grow wild and rely on birds to propagate their seeds. Part of the Capsicum annuum family, these kinds of peppers have been part of the human diet in the Americas since at least 7,500 B.C. While they are now staples in many cuisines, they were not introduced to Europe and Asia until the late 1400s when they were brought to Spain and quickly traded for their culinary variety and as a cheaper alternative to pricey peppercorns.