Red Pepper Flakes (Mild)

Red Pepper Flakes bring a spicy kick to your meals. Perfect for adding heat to everything from pizzas and pastas to salsas and steaks, they bring bold flavor to your cooking. Rich in vitamin A, red pepper flakes have metabolism-boosting properties and can help promote digestive health.

Packaging: 4 oz Shaker Mason Jar

History: Red Pepper Flakes, made from dried chili peppers, have been used in cooking for centuries. Native to the Americas, they were popularized globally after the Columbian Exchange, and they are a staple in Mexican and Italian cuisines.

Tasting Notes:
Red pepper flakes bring a bold, spicy heat with a hint of smoky and slightly sweet undertones. Their vibrant heat adds a zesty, fiery punch to dishes, making them an essential seasoning for anyone who loves a bit of heat and flavor in their cooking.

Aroma:
The aroma of red pepper flakes is pungent and smoky, with a fragrant spiciness that fills the air. It has a bold, fiery scent that can awaken the senses, providing a savory warmth to the kitchen atmosphere.

Characteristics:
Red pepper flakes are made from dried and crushed red chili peppers, typically from varieties like cayenne or red chili. They come in varying heat levels, depending on the pepper used, but they generally offer a sharp, spicy kick that can liven up almost any dish. The flakes range in size, with some offering a subtle crunch and others delivering intense heat.

Perfect Pairings:
Red pepper flakes pair perfectly with garlic, onion, cumin, oregano, and basil. They also complement other spicy ingredients like black pepper, paprika, and chili powder. Ideal for Italian, Mediterranean, and Mexican cuisines, they are great in pasta sauces, pizzas, salsas, stews, and grilled meats.

Substitutions:
If you don’t have red pepper flakes, you can substitute with ground cayenne pepper, hot paprika, or chili powder. Keep in mind that ground chili powders tend to be more finely ground and may have a slightly different flavor profile, so adjust the quantity to taste. Fresh chopped chilies can also be used as a substitute for added heat.

Ideal Uses:
Red pepper flakes are perfect for adding heat to pasta sauces, pizzas, stir-fries, and soups. They’re also great for seasoning roasted vegetables, meats, poultry, and seafood. You can sprinkle them on top of finished dishes like salads, popcorn, or even eggs for an added kick.

Processing Method:
Red pepper flakes are made by drying and crushing red chili peppers. The resulting flakes retain the essential oils of the peppers, giving them their signature spicy heat and smoky aroma. The flakes are typically sold in a coarse form, making them easy to sprinkle and mix into dishes.

Botanical Name:
Capsicum annuum – Red pepper flakes are made from the dried fruit of various chili pepper varieties, such as cayenne, and belong to the Capsicum genus. These fiery peppers are widely cultivated and used in many global cuisines for their heat and flavor.