I am not talking about the film starring starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon. I am talking about how some like it hot when talking about heat in their food.
Table of Contents
Chillies
Chillies, are spicy fruits from plants of the Capsicum genus. They are widely used in cooking to add heat and flavour to various dishes. You will find they come in various shapes, sizes, colours, and more importantly heat levels, depending on the specific variety.
A Few Key Points About Chillies:
- Heat Levels: The spiciness of chillies is measured on the Scoville scale. The scale ranges from 0 (no heat) for bell peppers to over 2 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU) for some of the hottest chillies like the Carolina Reaper or the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion.
- Varieties: There are numerous varieties of chillies, each with its distinct flavour and heat profile. Some popular types include Jalapeño, Thai Bird’s Eye, Serrano, Habanero, Cayenne, Poblano, Anaheim, and many others.
- Flavour: Chillies not only provide heat but also contribute unique flavours to dishes. Some are fruity and sweet, while others have a more earthy or smoky taste.
- Culinary Uses: Chillies are used in cuisines worldwide to add spiciness and depth to recipes. They can be used fresh, dried, powdered, or as part of various sauces and pastes.
- Health Benefits: Chillies contain a compound called capsaicin, which is responsible for their heat. Capsaicin is known to have various health benefits, including pain relief, boosting metabolism, and improving heart health.
- Cultural Significance: Chillies have a significant cultural impact and are integral to the cuisines of countries like India, Mexico, Thailand, Korea, China, and many others. They are often used in traditional dishes and play a vital role in shaping the unique flavours of these cuisines.
- Handling Precautions: When handling chillies, it’s essential to wear gloves or wash hands thoroughly afterward to avoid irritation or accidentally transferring the spicy oils to sensitive areas like the eyes.
As with any ingredient, the use of chillies in cooking should be adjusted according to personal preferences for spiciness. Some people enjoy the intense heat and use the spiciest varieties, while others prefer milder types to add a gentle kick to their dishes. You can find chilli ingredients already prepared ready for you to add to your dishes.
Chilli Mash Co
The Chilli Mash Co was founded in 2017 creating a platform for a wide selection of ethically sourced chilli products. They really took off during the Covid lockdowns and have continued with an ever growing customer base.
Offering a wide range of chilli based products from mild to fiery hot. I was sent their Festive Stack of 9 jars to try
The Festive Stack is a set of 9 jars that any chilli lover will love, from mild to very hot. The set includes –
- Naga Pickle
- Carolina Reaper Mayo
- Jalapeno Chilli Mustard
- Reaper & Onion
- Scotch Bonnet Pickle
- Scotch Bonnet Puree
- Habanero Chilli Jam
- Tropical Chilli Jam
- Jalapeno Chilli Jam
We have tried the Jalapeno Chilli Jam on a burger which was amazing and my husband tried the tropical.
Giveaway
The Chilli Mash Co are giving 3 of my readers the chance to try their products
- 1st Winner – Hot Sauce Trio
- 2nd Winner – The Reaper Trio
- 3rd Winner – Jam Packed
See below on how to enter making sure you read the terms and conditions. Making sure you complete the mandatory sections.
a Rafflecopter giveawayDon’t forget my other giveaways currently running
I’d love to win the jam packed set.
I would really like to try the Tropical Chilli Jam. It sounds so yummy!
I love spice would love to try the Ghost Hot Sauce
I would like to try Hot Sauce Trio, and use them in my burgers and try it our with my mates
I’d loved to win for a friend who is chilli obsessed so sure they would love these
The hot sauce trio love this on pizza, cheese on toast and macaroni cheese
I think the Jam Packed, mainly because the heat in the others might be too much for me
We love trying new hot sauces in our house so that would be a treat.
The hot sauce trio sounds yummy
Jam Packed
Carolina Reaper Mayo could be right up my street
I’ve got to go for the Smokin Ghost Hot Sauce, would love to try it.
I love a bit of spice in my food and love the sound of jalapeño jam on a veggie burger!
I think i’d struggle with the Reaper one
I’d like to try the hot sauce trio
Carolina Reaper Mayo sounds like an interesting sauce to try
The hot sauce trio is the one I would most like to try, but they all sound delicious
I would love to try the Tropical Chilli Jam with cheese and crackers, it sounds delicious
I absolutely love hot food so the reaper and onion sounds amazing
Oh any of it, the hotter the better!
The Jam Packed set sounds interesting and something I’ve never tried before.
These all look delicious but the Jalapeno Chilli Mustard would be particularly enjoyed in our household, especially on burgers!
I would love to try the Reaper Trio, especially the Reaper and onion chutney.
Tropical chilli jam is the one that I am most curious to try
I would love to try the Hot Sauce Trio. Like a bit of spice.
I’d love to try the tropical chilli jam, it sounds absolutely delicious!
I would really love to try these!!
I would really love to try the Jam Packed products
My fiance would love these for when he does BBQ’s
I’d be very happy to win any of these! We eat so much spicy food that I almost can’t taste anything without a bit of heat.
They all look great but Jam packed is something different and sounds so good!
I love chilli but I’m more into fragrant spice rather than hot spice. Probably why I prefer chilli oil rather than hot sauce because you can get it infused with seafood, garlic and other spices. I’ll give this one a miss as I’m almost addicted to this new Thai chilli oil I’ve found
I love the sound of ‘Jam Packed’, particularly the Tropical Chilli Jam!
I’d love them all inparticular the sauces – I would use on everything and in my cooking
I’d like to win The Reaper Trio. My family love hot sauces. The hotter the better.
The Reaper Trio – I like a little heat and these sound fabulous.
I love the sound of the Jalapeno Chilli Mustard! The Reaper Trio looks amazing though 🙂
I love spice would love to try the Ghost Hot Sauce
Jam Packed would be amazing! Fingers Crossed