"Chile powder"

Question

Would that be polvo de guindilla in Castellano? Or is there another term? I'm referring to the red ground powder used for example in curries or even Chile con carne. Thanks

Answer 1

Chile powders are made from dried peppers. The flavor and heat depend strongly on the type of pepper. If you want Indian/Pakistani flavors, you should buy chile powder from an Indian market. There are a lot of different varieties corresponding to regions, and which one is "best" depends on what you are after--the Kashmiri powder is very mild, but has a distinctive flavor.

Buying powders with Spanish names is unlikely to get you anything similar to Indian or Thai spices. There are lots of peppers grown in South America, but they are usually sold fresh or dried rather than ground into powder.

And you can always buy polvo de chili, which is not the same thing.

That is one of the things I miss about living in LA: having specialty markets within walking distance for ingredients from India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Mexico, Japan, Central America, and Asia as well as a wide variety of restaurants. If you were willing to drive, there were a lot more options available.

Answer 2

Thanks, I know both pimentón, picante and dulce. The dulce is the more popular. It's great for sofritos with tomatoes garlic and onions. The picante is a little closer but not the same .

Both pimentóns have as a base ñoras

They should not be confused with pimientos choricerosalthough both are sun-dried and look similar. As you can see I've been researching this .

Neither are proper alternatives to the Indian ground, (molido?) spice I am looking for which is, of course, red chile powder, the best of which is reputed to be made in Kashmir, I don't mind where it comes from if I can find some though. Thanks for your interest.

I grow dry and grind my own Chilies , the ones like yours I roast and grind it is delicious. - ray76, Nov 8, 2011

Answer 3

In Mexico there is a chile powder called Tajín, or perhaps Tajín is the company that makes it, which has chile powder, dehydrated lime juice and salt. Delicious on fuit! Not what you are asking about, but generically it is called salsa en polvo.

Hmm :-) - lagartijaverde, Nov 8, 2011

Answer 4

Hi Birdland!

I'm unsure about this, but I've never heard "polvo de guindilla" in Spain.

Maybe "pimentón picante"?

Pimentón picante is very usual, but I don't know if it is the same thing.

Answer 5

I have some "Locoto en polvo" which is so hot you would't believe it.

It is not red though - it is a beige colour.

Maybe toooo hot? - lagartijaverde, Nov 8, 2011

Unless you are making the very hottest of curries I think yes. Also depends how much you use of course. - ian-hill, Nov 8, 2011