Crushed red pepper factories are responsible for processing and packaging the dried and crushed fruits of the Capsicum annuum plant, typically the cayenne pepper variety. These peppers are harvested when they are fully ripe and have developed their signature spicy flavor. The peppers are then dried and ground into flakes or powder, which are then packaged and sold to consumers.

Hot chili sauce is a type of condiment or table sauce made from chili peppers and other ingredients such as vinegar, sugar, and spices. It is usually used as a general spicy seasoning for various dishes or as a table condiment. The taste, ingredients, and peppers used in chili sauces vary greatly depending on the region where they are prepared.

Types of Paprika

I use cornflour as a thickening agent in my sauce. The mixture may look watery at first, but after the cornflour slurry (equal parts cornflour and water) is added, it develops a thicker consistency. However, you can also use potato starch or tapioca starch if that’s what you have on hand.

Hungarian Paprika

This is why sriracha is more of a chili paste than a sauce with its thick consistency. It has fewer notes of other flavors since it has fewer ingredients than hot sauces but it’s also why the spicy hot taste is more straightforward than hot sauces. This is also why the chill used is so important.

Chinese crushed red pepper, also known as Chinese chili flakes, brings a bold, spicy flavor to dishes. These flakes are made from dried chili peppers and are widely used in Chinese cuisine to add heat and aroma to stir-fries, noodle dishes, and sauces. Chinese crushed red pepper varies in heat level, with some varieties offering a mild warmth suitable for enhancing flavors without overwhelming dishes, while others provide a fiery kick that intensifies the heat.