Spice guide / Dried red chilli (generic Indian)
What is Dried red chilli (generic Indian)?
Generic dried red chilli when a named cultivar is not specified.
Short answer: Dried red chilli (generic Indian) (Hindi: सूखी लाल मिर्च) is Capsicum annuum / Capsicum frutescens. Hot, fruity or smoky depending on cultivar. Culinary use only — not a medicine.
| Common name | Dried red chilli (generic Indian) |
|---|---|
| Hindi | सूखी लाल मिर्च |
| Sanskrit | — |
| Botanical name | Capsicum annuum / Capsicum frutescens |
| Family | — |
| Origin | India |
| Main producing regions | Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh |
| Flavour | Hot, fruity or smoky depending on cultivar |
| Aroma | — |
| Forms | whole, powder, flakes, crushed |
| Retail packs | 100g–5kg (typical; see products) |
| Bulk | 10kg+ |
What is Dried red chilli (generic Indian)?
Prefer named cultivars (Guntur, Byadgi, Kashmiri) when the lot is identified. This entity is the fallback generic chilli.
History of Dried red chilli (generic Indian)
Origin
India
Growing regions
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh
How it is grown
Harvest
Processing
Grades
- Standard: Admin-configured commercial grade
- Premium: Admin-configured higher visual/purity selection
- Export Grade: Only show when export specifications exist for the lot
- Machine Cleaned: Machine cleaned — confirm process for the lot
Only grades that apply to a lot should be shown at purchase. These are templates, not invented industry certificates.
Flavour, aroma and colour
Hot, fruity or smoky depending on cultivar. . Colour: . Heat: hot.
Whole vs ground
Dried red chilli (generic Indian) is sold whole (or as seed/leaf) and as a ground form. Whole keeps aroma longer in a UK cupboard; grind or crush just before cooking when you can. Powder is convenient for daily dal, curry and marinades — buy a pack you will finish in a few months.
Culinary uses
- Curry
- Pickle
- Tadka
Traditional uses
Recorded in culinary tradition. Traditional use is not scientific evidence of a medical effect.
SpicyCenter does not claim that spices cure, treat or prevent disease.
Storage and shelf life
Nutrition
Dried red chilli (generic Indian) is a culinary seasoning. Nutrition values are pack-specific and must match the label for UK/EU sale. We do not claim that this spice treats, cures or prevents disease.
Buying guide
Retail packs typically run from 100g to 5kg. Bulk starts at 10kg. Selling prices are checkout prices. Indian market figures, when present, are indicative only.
Recipes using this spice
- Dal tadka — Yellow lentils finished with a hot cumin, chilli and hing tempering.
- Goan-style vindaloo (home heat) — Vinegar-chilli curry — hotter than a korma; adjust chilli to taste.
- Lemon rice — Tempered leftover rice with mustard, curry leaf and turmeric.
- Panch phoron mixed vegetables — Five-seed tempering (panch phoron) on seasonal vegetables.
- Keema masala — Minced meat with meat masala — good with pav or rice.
