chili flakes
Taste Profile
Primary Flavor
spicy
Intensity
strong
Flavor Notes
Pairs Well With
Cooking Behavior
Chili flakes bloom in hot oil, releasing capsaicin and aromatic compounds. Brief contact with hot fat (30 seconds) mellows the heat and creates a fragrant chili oil. Overcooking turns them bitter and acrid.
Best Techniques
Common Mistakes
- Burning in too-hot oil (turns bitter)
- Using too much without tasting
- Not accounting for heat building over time in a dish