IQF Poblano Peppers

IQF poblano peppers deliver mild-to-medium heat and rich flavor for commercial food production. With a Scoville range of 1,000–1,500 SHU, poblanos provide more warmth than Anaheim peppers while remaining milder than jalapeños, making them a versatile ingredient across sauces, frozen entrées, meal kits, and Southwestern-style applications.

Available in organic and conventional formats, IQF poblano peppers offer consistent performance, stable pricing, and dependable year-round supply.

Scoville Range & Heat Comparison

Pepper heat is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). For reference:

• -Green bell pepper: 0 SHU
• -Poblano pepper: 1,000–1,500 SHU
• -Jalapeño pepper: 2,500–5,000 SHU

This moderate heat range makes poblano peppers attractive for product developers who want noticeable warmth without overwhelming heat intensity.

At the extreme end of the scale, specialty peppers such as the Red Savina Habanero can exceed 350,000 SHU. Compared to these varieties, poblano peppers provide a controlled, consumer-friendly heat profile ideal for broad market appeal.

Sourcing & Harvest Process

Poblano peppers originate from Puebla, Mexico, and Mexico remains the dominant growing region. Additional seasonal production occurs in New Mexico, California, and Arizona.

Unlike bell peppers, poblano peppers are tipped and topped in the field. The calyx and stem are removed mechanically during harvest, leaving organic waste behind to support soil health for future crops. This reduces the transportation of unusable material and supports sustainable farming practices.

Peppers are harvested at peak ripeness to maximize flavor and nutritional value.

Individually Quick Frozen Quality

After harvest, poblano peppers are washed, blanched, cut to customer specification, and rapidly frozen using the Individually Quick Frozen process.

Blanching serves two important purposes:

• -Sanitization to minimize potential contaminants
• -Deactivation of catalase, a natural enzyme that can alter the green color over time

Rapid freezing preserves cell structure, flavor integrity, and nutritional value while keeping the product free-flowing. IQF poblano peppers deliver 100% usable yield with virtually zero waste.

Shelf life can extend for years when proper cold chain management is maintained.

Pricing Stability & Year-Round Availability

Fresh poblano pricing fluctuates seasonally due to weather conditions, labor availability, and transportation costs.

IQF contracts are typically structured for price stability throughout the year. This allows procurement teams to model costs accurately and protect margins while reducing exposure to market volatility.

Frozen storage provides operational flexibility and simplifies inventory planning.

Cut Specifications & Packaging

IQF poblano peppers are available in:

• -Diced cuts from 1/4” to 1”
• -Strips up to 1-1/2” long

Packaging options include:

• -44–50 lb cases
• -1,200–1,400 lb totes

Specifications vary based on cut size and customer requirements.