Byadgi chilli

Piment byadgi

What it is

Byadgi is named for a town in the Haveri district of Karnataka and carries an ASTA colour value near 157, roughly three times that of a Kashmiri chilli. A large share of the crop never reaches a kitchen: the oleoresin is extracted for the capsanthin that colours lipstick and nail varnish.

In the kitchen

The deep wrinkles trap dust, so wipe the pods before use, and pull the seeds if you want the aroma without the heat. Dry-roast, then grind with a spoonful of coriander seed — ground alone it cakes from its own oil.

Goes with

Coconut Tamarind paste Curry leaf Coriander seed Mustard seed Urad dal Fenugreek

Same species

Ají amarillo Ají panca Ajvar Aleppo pepper Ancho chilli Bell pepper

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