Chilli is the fruit of plants from the genus Capsicum, members of the nightshade family. Chillies originated in the Americas. However, their use and popularity became known all over the world soon enough.

Chili peppers have been a part of the human diet in the Americas since at least 7500 BCE. Research shows that chili peppers were domesticated more than 6000 years ago in Mexico (in the region that extends across southern Puebla and northern Oaxaca to southeastern Veracruz).

The chili is prominent in many Latin, South, and Central American dishes but now has become more popular across the world in cuisines such as Indian, Chinese, Thai and Korean.

Depending on the plant and the blend, chilli powder can vary in heat.  Variants of peppers may include cayenne, ancho, jalapeno, New Mexico, and pasilla. We now also stock Indian ghost habanero chilli pepper powder which rank as one of the hottest chilli peppers in the world! Great for heat lovers and daredevils.

There are many different effects and uses for chillies. Some claim it enhances emotions, are great as a medicinal product for ailments and in some cultures, they are a spiritual food.

Chillies come in many forms – fresh, dried, powdered or canned. They add great flavours and different levels of heat to your dishes. There is a chilli for everyone, from the mild child to the heat lovers!

Chilli pepper pods, which are a type of berry, are used fresh or dried. Chilies are dried to preserve them for long periods of time and the powdered version can simply be used by sprinkling into a dish.

Dried chilies are often ground into powders although many Mexican dishes including variations on chiles rellenos, use the entire chilli. Dried whole chillies may be reconstituted before grinding to a paste. The chipotle is the smoked, dried, ripe jalapeño.