Kashmiri Chilli Powder

Description

If you've ever wondered how Indian dishes like Tandoori chicken or Rogan Josh get that incredibly vibrant, deep red color without tasting like liquid fire, Kashmiri chili powder is the secret. While we touched upon it briefly in the general red chili guide, this specific powder is so distinct that it functions as a completely unique ingredient in a chef's arsenal. It is made ground exclusively from a specific variety of long, deeply wrinkled, dark crimson chilis grown primarily in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as parts of Himachal Pradesh. Its defining characteristic is a fascinating culinary paradox: it features a brilliant, fiery, almost neon-red color but carries an incredibly mild, gentle heat paired with a sweet, smoky, and slightly fruity flavor.