What is red chili powder?
Red chili powder is a spice milled from dried hot red peppers (Capsicum annuum and Capsicum frutescens varieties). Capsaicin and its derivatives provide the heat; carotenoid pigments, above all capsanthin, provide the red colour. Heat is measured in Scoville units (SHU) and colour intensity as an ASTA value; industrial grades are classified by these two figures. Türkiye, India and China are the main producers.
How is it produced?
Ripe peppers are harvested, destemmed, dried in the sun or in dryers to below 11% moisture and milled. Product with seeds is cheaper and hotter; seedless (pericarp only) product gives a higher colour value. Sweet paprika serves manufacturers who want red colour with low heat, hot varieties serve high-heat needs. Temperature control during milling prevents colour loss.
Applications in food manufacturing
Fermented sausage, cured meat, kebab and döner seasonings; hot sauces and marinades; snack and crisp coatings; seasoning blends; ready meals and pickles; pastes and spreads. Typical usage in the finished product is 0.2–2%, calculated from the SHU value for the target heat.
Technical properties and quality criteria
Check heat (SHU; 10,000–50,000 and above by grade), colour (ASTA; typically 60–120), moisture (≤ 11%), particle size (40–60 mesh), total and acid-insoluble ash, microbiological values and, above all, the safety parameters: aflatoxin, pesticide residues and illegal colourants such as Sudan dyes. These analyses should be reported per lot.
What to check when buying
Define the target SHU and ASTA range for your application first and ask the supplier for a grade within it. The with/without seeds choice affects colour and price. Because of the aflatoxin and Sudan dye risk, work only with suppliers who provide lot-specific analysis reports. Obtain the specification, COA, origin document and these safety reports with the quotation.
Wholesale sourcing: price and minimum order
The wholesale price of chili powder is set by crop size, origin, heat and colour grade, seed ratio, scope of analysis and order quantity. The typical minimum order is one pallet (500 kg). PERDIST identifies the grade matching your target heat and colour, compares sources and provides a written quotation with safety analyses.
Frequently asked questions
Need current pricing, minimum order, origin or technical documents for this ingredient? Tell us the application and monthly quantity; we reply with a written quotation within one business day.