picante

Picante is a Spanish adjective meaning spicy or hot to the taste. It derives from the verb picar, “to bite” or “to sting,” and is used in Spanish-speaking regions to describe foods that have a noticeable heat or peppery bite.

In culinary use, picante commonly describes sauces and condiments that incorporate chili peppers. A salsa picante or picante sauce is typically a tomato- or pepper-based sauce with chili peppers, onions, garlic, and spices, with heat levels ranging from mild to very hot. The term also appears in dish names or labels in various cuisines, such as carne picante or sopa picante, to indicate spiciness. In the United States, picante sauce is a recognized category of salsa marketed by several brands, including Pace Picante Sauce.

Regional variations influence how picante is understood. In Mexico and other Latin American cuisines, the label can refer to the heat contributed by jalapeños, serranos, habaneros, or other chiles, as well as to the overall peppery character of a dish. Some preparations emphasize fresh peppers for bright, immediate heat, while others rely on dried or ground chiles for a different profile. The term is also used more loosely in product labeling, where picante signals spiciness rather than a specific flavor composition; perceptions of heat are culturally variable and subjective.

Overall, picante denotes spiciness and peppery heat in food, with meanings that span everyday language and brand-based product naming across Spanish-speaking and broader culinary contexts.