Pimiento, also spelled pimento, is a type of pepper that is mostly sweet with a little heat. It is a variety of large, red, heart-shaped chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) that measures 3 to 4 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide. Pimientos can have various colors including yellow, green, red, and maroon. Some are green when immature and turn red when they reach maturity. The flesh of the pimiento is sweet, succulent, and more aromatic than that of the red bell pepper. Some varieties of the pimiento type are hot, including the Floral Gem and Santa Fe Grande varieties. Pimientos are used in various ways, including as an ingredient, spice, or garnish. They are commonly used for making pimento cheese, a popular Southern delicacy that combines cheese, mayonnaise, and pimientos. Pimientos are also stuffed into olives, pureed in cheese dips, or dried and made into paprika. They can be used anywhere you would use a bell pepper, such as in Mexican fare, chilis, soups, pasta, risotto, and other grains. Pimentos are sweet and mild, registering between 100 and 500 heat units on the Scoville scale.