Kashmiri Chilli Powder

Kashmiri chilli powder is a spice made from ground Kashmiri chilies, which are mild, wrinkled red peppers traditionally grown in India's Kashmir Valley. Known for its bright red colour and mild heat level, it's an important ingredient in Indian cuisine, particularly in tandoori dishes, butter chicken, and various curries. The powder is known more for its ability to add rich colouring and subtle sweet-smoky depth to dishes rather than heat, making it different from regular chilli powders which tend to focus on spiciness.

You can read more about it here: What is Kashmiri Chilli Powder? Everything You Need to Know

No, Kashmiri chilli powder is actually quite mild, with only 1,000-2,000 Scoville Heat Units (compared to regular cayenne's 30,000-50,000 SHU). It's primarily used for its vibrant red colour and subtle, sweet-smoky flavour rather than heat. This makes it perfect for dishes like tandoori chicken and butter chicken where you want rich color without intense spiciness.

The main differences lie in heat level, colour intensity, and intended use. Kashmiri chilli powder is significantly milder (1,000-2,000 Scoville units) than regular chilli powder (2,500-5,000 Scoville units) and produces a bright red colour that's ideal for food colouring. Regular chilli powder is typically hotter and often includes other spices like cumin, oregano, and garlic, while Kashmiri chilli powder is purely ground chillies. In Indian cooking, Kashmiri chilli powder is specifically used for its colouring properties in dishes like tandoori chicken and butter chicken, whereas regular chilli powder is used primarily for heat and overall spice flavour.

Add it early in the cooking process to develop its colour and flavour, typically during the masala (spice mixture) stage with other ground spices, or mix it with yogurt or oil for marinades in dishes like tandoori chicken and butter chicken. For curries, use 1-2 teaspoons per pound of meat or vegetables; for marinades, mix 1-2 tablespoons with 1 cup of yogurt. Since it's milder than regular chilli powder, you can be generous with the quantity without making dishes too spicy. It's also excellent as a garnish for adding visual appeal to finished dishes and can be used in dry rubs for grilled meats or roasted vegetables.
Add it early in the cooking process to develop its colour and flavour, typically during the masala (spice mixture) stage with other ground spices, or mix it with yogurt or oil for marinades in dishes like tandoori chicken and butter chicken. For curries, use 1-2 teaspoons per pound of meat or vegetables; for marinades, mix 1-2 tablespoons with 1 cup of yogurt. Since it's milder than regular chilli powder, you can be generous with the quantity without making dishes too spicy. It's also excellent as a garnish for adding visual appeal to finished dishes and can be used in dry rubs for grilled meats or roasted vegetables.

All of our spices and blends are imported from ethically and quality-tested suppliers in India. We've made sure to thoroughly test each spice to ensure you always receive superior and authentic quality.

If you're not happy with your spices, please contact us and we'll make it right.

Unfortunately, we do not accept returns. We will do our best to provide a refund and/or replacement for damaged or incorrect items.