A guajillo chili or guajillo chile (chile guajillo in Spanish) is a variety of chile pepper of the species Capsicum annuum which is widely used in the cuisine of Mexico. Its heat (rating 2,500 to 5,000 on the Scoville scale) is considered mild to medium. They are sometimes used to make the salsa for tamales; the dried fruits are seeded, soaked, pulverized to a thin paste, then cooked with salt and several other ingredients to produce a thick, red, flavorful sauce. Guajillo chilies may be used in pastes, butters, or rubs to flavor all kinds of meats, especially chicken. Alternatively, they can be added to salsas to create a sweet side dish with a surprisingly hot finish. In its dried from Chiles can keep for months in a dry, cool place.