The cascabel chili (little bell), also known as the rattle chili, is one of the Mirasol cultivars of the species Capsicum annuum. The 'rattle' and 'bell' designations describe the tendency of loose seeds to rattle inside a dried cascabel when shaken. Fresh cascabel, which is 2âÂÂ3 cm in diameter, is also known by the alias bola chili or chile bola (Spanish for ball chili). The pigmentation of the fresh chilis blends from green to red; when dried, the color darkens.
Farmers cultivate cascabel in several states throughout Mexico, including Coahuila, Durango, Guerrero, and Jalisco.
In Hungary it's one of the most popular types of peppers (locally known as cseresznyepaprika or cherry chili). It was usually stored in a bundle or tied in a ball in a window. It is also kept as an ornamental plant. They are often used in csalamádé, pörkölts, and in soups like halászlé and others, and it's also made into fà ±szerpaprika. Its famous varieties are the Kalocsai, the Szentesi and the Giant Cseresznye varieties, which are local specialities (exported from the Kalocsa and Szentes regions respectively).
The pickled version of the peppers is commonly used by fast food restaurants such as In-N-Out and Jack in the Box. In 2016 there was a shortage in supply, as poor soil and rain led to a reduction of up to 60%, forcing many restaurants to switch to banana peppers. A similar shortage occurred at the beginning of 2023.