Our whole dried chilli pods are such a versatile product - great for adding a little extra to dishes from all over the world.
But not a lot of people know how to use them... or even where to start!
This guide is an all you need to know on dried chilli pods, which chilli to use for which dish, and how to prepare/use them for different things.
Keep reading for more!
Our Range
Our collection of chilli pods spans from all across the world, these are imported to make them the most authentic & true to taste they can possibly be.
Ancho Chillies
These chillies are native to Mexico - and crucial for making authentic Mexican dishes such as tacos, birria, fajitas, sauces & salsa.
These provide a mild heat, with an almost smoked flavour - similar to a chipotle, but much softer.
Scoville Rating: 1,000 - 1,500
Guajillo Chillies
These also originate from Mexico, and pair exceptionally well with the ancho chilli, using in dishes to give an authentic Mexican taste.
These are slightly hotter than the ancho and are a non negotiable ingredient in the world famous birria taco - adding a unique boost of flavour to the meat.
Scoville Rating: 2,500 - 4,000
Habanero Chillies
These are a medium heat chilli well known across the world, and used in many South American dishes.
Ideal for adding a burst of heat to any recipe, including hot sauces, salads & chicken dishes.
These dishes pair well with sweet ingredients - think hot honey, fruit salads, or sauces & marinades with pineapple, mango or brown sugar!
Scoville Rating: 100,000 - 350,000
Pasilla Chillies
Another Mexican native, these are a mild heat chilli that provide a rich silky flavour to sauces, gravies & consommé.
Another great chilli to add to the line up for dishes like tacos, fajitas and enchiladas, but these work particularly well in dishes such as chilli con carne.
These chillies pair great with chocolate and can be added to desserts, mousses and sauces.
Scoville Rating: 1,500 - 2,500
Mulato Chillies
A great accompaniment to red meat based dishes, this Mexican chilli adds a punch of mild heat, and a slightly smoked flavour.
Perfect for use in sauces, marinades or meat rubs.
Scoville Rating: 1,500
Birds Eye Chillies
These are a versatile chilli, used across the world.
With an almost fruity flavour, perfect for adding to curries, chutneys & yoghurt based sauces or dips.
Small but powerful, up to 10x hotter than a jalapeno pepper.
Scoville Rating: 50,000 - 100,000
Bullet Chillies
A medium heat chilli, native to China, used in curry dishes, dumplings, soups & oriental pork, chicken or vegetable dishes.
This medium heat chilli with fruity notes is a great all rounder.
Scoville Rating: 15,000 - 50,000
Carolina Reaper Chillies
These chilli pods are not for the faint hearted, originating from fort mill, South Carolina, these small but mighty peppers are one of the most well known chillies in the world.
These are great for using in marinades, curries, sauces & salsa's - to be used with care.
Scoville Rating: 1,641,183,000
Chaotian Chillies
These medium heat peppers originate from China, and are widely used in Asian cuisine.
Perfect for using in stir frys, noodle dishes, soups, chilli sauces & more.
Scoville Rating: 15,000 - 50,000
Dried Chillies
These are your standard, dried chilli pod - originating form India and a great all rounder in terms of uses.
A medium heat chilli that is perfect for using in cuisines all over the world - we recommend these as a beginner product for those just getting on the chilli train.
Scoville Rating: 15,000 - 50,000
Ghost Chillies
One of the hottest chillies in the world.
these are great for adding a kick to marinades, meat rubs and curry sauces - use with caution.
A great strong, fruity heat - perfect for spicing up Caribbean flavours.
Scoville Rating: 855,000 - 1,041,000
Kashmiri Chillies
A favourite amongst Indian cuisine, widely used in curries, stews and sauces.
Pirs great with chocolate, great for using in desserts or in dressings for fruit or vegetables.
Milder heat wise, but still full of flavour.
Scoville Rating: 1,000 - 2,000
Scorpion Chillies
Developed in Mississippi - this is one of the hottest chillies in the world and MUST be used with caution.
these are great for spicing up sauces, curries and use in oriental or Caribbean dishes - pairing exceptionally well with fruit.
Scoville Rating: 1,200,000 - 2,000,000
Wiri Wiri Chillies
These tiny round peppers are widely used in South American dishes - adding a burst of fruity heat to things like sauces and soups.
Pairs great with sweeter dishes such as salsa, fruit chutneys & tomato based dishes.
Scoville Rating: 100,000 - 350,000
How to...
There are several ways to use dried chillies -
They can be:
Added directly to sauces, soups & other liquid based dishes.
Chopped & used in spice mixes.
Ground to use in rubs/marinades where texture is not desired.
Rehydrated in liquid & added to dishes.
Rehydrated & blended into a sauce or consommé.
De-seeded & use the seeds in spice mixes, curries & other spicy dishes.
Most of the above methods are self explanatory - but our favourite way to use these chillies is rehydration, these can either be added straight to a liquid based stock, sauce or broth - like in our slow cooker birria taco recipe - then blended along with other ingredients once cooked. Or they can be rehydrated prior to use, this is great for chopping and using in salads, vegetable mixes or stuffing meat. Or why not try rehydrating, finely chopping and using as a chilli paste to top dishes, flavour curry dishes or use as a meat rub!
To rehydrate: cover the chillies in boiling water and leave to soak for 10-12 minutes, the chillies should plump up & become softer, this makes for easy handling, chopping & blending!