Chipotle [chee-POTE-lay] peppers are actually dried, smoked jalapeno chile peppers. Throughout the Southwest, chipotles are used in soups, salsas, stews, sauces, and even an occasional dessert! They're known for their unique combination of smoky and spicy flavors, and they've found their way into the favorite cuisines of many celebrity chefs during the past few years.
Most of the natural heat of the jalapeno is retained in the drying and smoking process. Typically, jalapenos rate 5,000 to 10,000 Scoville Units and are considered a "medium" heat in comparison to other chiles.