Topic: What is chili powder?

[RebeccaVT]

A lot of recipes on here (and Indian recipes in general) call for chili powder.  In the U.S. "Chili Powder" refers to a blend of spices which I associate it more with Mexican or Tex-Mex flavors.  For example, the ingredients one I have in my cupboard now are:  Ancho chili pepper, cumin, garlic and Mexican oregano.

I was just wondering if Chili Powder in the U.K. is the same thing or something different? 

[adriandavidb]

One brand here (schwartz) contains origano; most, particularly the Asian varities just contain dried ground chilie pepper, some maybe contain salt.

Perhaps cayenne pepper would be your best bet, that would be an 'extra hot' chilie, but it is usually made from just cayenne chilies maybe?

[currymonster]

Hi Rebecca,

As far as I know US Chili Powder is a mix of spices primarily for making Chili Con Carne and other Tex Mex Dishes.

Chili Powder in Indian recipes is powder made purely from dried ground pods of the chili pepper plant. Hot Chili powder is usually made from ground Cayenne peppers. The Chili Powder I most often use for these dishes is called Deggi Mirch and can sometimes be  found in Asian/Indian shops, its made from a medium/mild strength dried ground chile which has a slightly 'earthy' tase and is very red in colour. If you can't find it dried ground New Mexico chili powder it might be a substitute.

Hope this helps  

[joshallen2k]

Yep, Chilli Powder is one of those things you're best to get from the Indian Grocery. Most of the recipes on this site call for "Extra hot Chilli Powder" when measurements are given.

Chilli Powder = ground hot red peppers

Chili Powder = cayenne, paprika, oregano, etc for "Chili"

Two very different things.

[RebeccaVT]

Thank you!!  I knew there had to be a difference.  The flavor of my mexican chili powder just didn't seem right for curry.  I'll look for some Deggi Mirch.

[joshallen2k]

Rebecca, just a word of warning on Deggi Mirch. Its a great chilli powder for curries, and adds a nice red color.

It is however, pretty mild compared to the "hot" and "extra hot". For example, if you were to make a Madras that called for a tsp of chilli powder, and you used deggi mirch, the end result would be on the mild side.

You would need to add extra Deggi, or mix it with some extra hot.

[RebeccaVT]

That's good to know. I do like spicy, but it's easy to go overboard with Cayenne.   Maybe I'll just have to experiment with different chilli powders.

[Unclebuck]

i use these chilli powders

[RebeccaVT]

Thanks, UncleBuck!   Our Indian grocer carries some MDH products, so I'll see if they have it. 

May I ask what the difference is between the Deggi Mirch and the Kashmiri Mirch?

[Unclebuck]

Thanks, UncleBuck!   Our Indian grocer carries some MDH products, so I'll see if they have it. 

May I ask what the difference is between the Deggi Mirch and the Kashmiri Mirch?

A good question

see this link

http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=2791.0