Organic turmeric powder is made from the dried and ground roots of the turmeric plant, which is native to Southeast Asia. It is known for its vibrant yellow color, earthy flavor, and potent anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it a popular ingredient in cooking, traditional medicine, and beauty products.
This particular chili sauce refers to the popular American condiment usually sold in bottles, found at your local grocer. There are popular brands, like Heinz chili sauce. The consistency is very similar to your typical ketchup, though the seasonings often vary slightly.
Pronounced as “gwaa-hee-oh“, guajillo is hotter than ancho chili powder and brings a spicy kick that ranges from 2,500 to 5,000 SHU. Apart from its spicy taste, this substitute has a lot more going on in flavor than cayenne. It is pleasingly sharp, tangy, and smoky just like paprika. That is why it’s also a good substitute for both hot and smoked paprika.
Even before being domesticated, six to eight thousand years ago, chilis had found a way to spread over more land and proliferate more widely by using birds as their seed carriers. Not only do birds fly and can spread the seeds over long distances but they also swallow the fruit whole, which keeps the seeds intact and allows them to germinate once they are “dropped”.
Customers can purchase dried chilli padi from manufacturers in various quantities, ranging from small packets for home use to bulk orders for restaurants and other food establishments. Many manufacturers also offer different levels of heat for their chillies, allowing customers to choose the perfect spiciness for their dishes.
Our gold standard for study? Lee Kum Kee’s version (if you’re just too lazy to read on, you can buy a jar here). A close study of various ingredients—some more chemical than others—brought me back to a core list of ingredients…
Now that you have a good idea of what hot or spicy paprika is, let me introduce you to my favorite substitutes for paprika.