Spice guide / Kashmiri chilli
What is Kashmiri chilli?
Mild heat, vivid red colour — widely used for colour in gravies.
Short answer: Kashmiri chilli (Hindi: कश्मीरी मिर्च) is Capsicum annuum. Mild, slightly sweet, smoky-fruity. Culinary use only — not a medicine.
| Common name | Kashmiri chilli |
|---|---|
| Hindi | कश्मीरी मिर्च |
| Sanskrit | — |
| Botanical name | Capsicum annuum |
| Family | Solanaceae |
| Origin | India — Kashmir and other regions producing Kashmiri-type pods |
| Main producing regions | Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh |
| Flavour | Mild, slightly sweet, smoky-fruity |
| Aroma | — |
| Forms | whole, powder, flakes |
| Retail packs | 100g–5kg (typical; see products) |
| Bulk | 10kg+ |
What is Kashmiri chilli?
Kashmiri chilli is a mild Capsicum annuum type valued for colour. Colour and heat vary by cultivar and harvest. Not interchangeable with Guntur Teja.
History of Kashmiri chilli
Origin
India — Kashmir and other regions producing Kashmiri-type pods
Growing regions
Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal 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
Mild, slightly sweet, smoky-fruity. . Colour: . Heat: mild.
Whole vs ground
Kashmiri chilli 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
- Tandoori
- Butter chicken
- Curry
- Rogan josh
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
Kashmiri chilli 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.
Indicative Indian market price
No dated market print has been imported yet. Admin must enter min/max/average with market, grade, date and source.
Indicative Indian market prices must be imported or entered with date, market, grade and source. Empty values are intentional so the site does not fabricate today's rates.
Market prices →Recipes using this spice
- Everyday Indian curry base — Cumin, coriander, turmeric and Kashmiri chilli as a starting masala for vegetables or chicken.
- Rajma — Kidney beans in a slow tomato-onion gravy.
- Palak paneer — Spinach gravy finished with kasuri methi and garam masala.
- Butter chicken (home method) — Tomato-cream gravy; Kashmiri chilli for colour, kasuri methi at the end.
- Chicken tikka masala (UK household) — The UK classic — tikka-spiced chicken in a tomato-cream sauce.
- Malabar fish curry — Coconut or tamarind fish gravy with mustard and curry leaf.
- Baingan bharta — Smoky mashed aubergine with cumin and garam masala.
- Pav bhaji — Mashed vegetable street snack — pav bhaji masala and butter.
