A comprehensive guide to the ingredients that give chili crisp, chili oil, taberu rayu, and salsa macha their distinctive heat, aroma, texture, and flavor.
Ingredients with links are included in our Ingredient Articles Archive
The Oils
The foundation of every chili oil.
Chiles & Peppers
These provide the primary heat, color, fruitiness, and aroma .
Ingredient Flavor Contribution Common Uses Aleppo Pepper Mild heat, fruity, raisin-like Specialty chili oils Árbol Chile Bright, sharp heat Salsa macha Bird's Eye Chili Intense, clean heat Southeast Asian chili oils Cayenne Straightforward heat Commercial blends Chipotle Smoky, earthy Fusion recipes Erjingtiao Mild-medium, fragrant Sichuan chili crisp Facing Heaven Chili Bright red color, medium heat Sichuan Gochugaru Sweet, fruity Korean-inspired oils Guajillo Berry notes, mild Salsa macha Habanero Fruity, tropical, very hot Specialty crisps Kashmiri Chili Brilliant color, mild heat Indian-inspired oils Morita Chile Fruity, smoky heat Mexican salsa macha New Mexico Chile Earthy Southwest recipes Pasilla Cocoa, raisin Mexican styles Pequin Sharp heat Regional Mexican Poblano (dried ancho) Sweet, chocolate Salsa macha Puya Fruity medium heat Mexican oils Scotch Bonnet Fruity, floral Caribbean fusion Sichuan Erjingtiao Signature aroma Chinese brands Tianjin Chili Classic Chinese dried chili Chili crisp Thai Chili Clean, immediate heat Thai oils Tien Tsin Chili Traditional Chinese Commercial products Yidu Chili Rich aroma, moderate heat Premium Sichuan recipes
Sichuan Ingredients
These create the unmistakable Chinese profile .
Garlic & Other Alliums
Perhaps the most important ingredients after the peppers.
Ginger Family
Ingredient Contribution Fresh Ginger Bright warmth Fried Ginger Sweet spicy crunch Galangal Piney citrus Young Ginger Mild freshness
Seeds
Seeds provide texture, nuttiness, and aroma.
Nuts
Especially important in salsa macha
Ingredient Flavor Almond Buttery crunch Cashew Sweet richness Hazelnut Toasted sweetness Macadamia Creamy richness Peanut Classic Chinese flavor Pecan Mild buttery Pine Nut Delicate richness Pistachio Sweet nutty Walnut Earthy bitterness
Beans & Legumes
Add texture, aroma and umami.
Mushrooms
Powerful umami boosters.
Ingredient Contribution Shiitake Earthy umami Porcini Deep mushroom flavor King Oyster Meaty texture Wood Ear Crunch
Aromatic Spices
Herbs
Ingredient Function Cilantro Fresh brightness Thai Basil Sweet spice Holy Basil Peppery Oregano Earthy Rosemary Piney Sage Savory Mint Cooling
Umami Ingredients
Ingredient Contribution MSG Pure umami enhancement Yeast Extract Savory depth Mushroom Powder Natural umami Bonito Flakes Japanese richness Anchovy Salty complexity Dried Shrimp Seafood umami Fish Sauce Fermented depth Oyster Sauce Sweet umami
Sweeteners
Ingredient Purpose Sugar Balance Rock Sugar Smooth sweetness Brown Sugar Molasses notes Honey Floral sweetness Maple Syrup Rich sweetness Agave Neutral sweetness
Acids
Used sparingly.
Ingredient Contribution Rice Vinegar Brightness Black Vinegar Complexity Citric acid powder Brightness Apple Cider Vinegar Fruity Lime Fresh acidity Lemon Citrus lift
Salts
Ingredient Purpose Sea Salt Clean salinity Kosher Salt General seasoning Flake Salt Texture Smoked Salt Smoky notes
Crisp Elements
These distinguish chili crisp from plain chili oil.
Specialty Ingredients
