Best Online Chili Sources

[scott123]

A couple of years back, a friend was hooking me up with what I believe were ground New Mexican chiles. They were $5/lb and she'd get them in the early fall (around the harvest). This powder was pure chile bliss. It was dried/ground, but it had this vibrancy/freshness that I've never tasted in a ground spice. It was bright red/brown, very soft to the touch, a little bit moist- absolutely nothing like anything I've ever seen for purchase or ground myself. One whiff and you knew that this hadn't been sitting on a shelf somewhere gathering dust for months. I didn't know a great deal about the source, but, judging from the flavor, you'd swear that the chilis were picked, allowed to dry for a few days, ground, and then immediately shipped.

I say that I 'believe' they were New Mexican, but she was never completely clear on the type. I do know that they had a little more heat than anchos, but were still very mild- which worked out absolutely perfectly for my needs.

My friend and I have since lost touch (really dumb move, I know). I'm fully aware that $5/lb for the best powdered chiles on the planet is a pipe dream, but I would love to find an online source that sold something as phenomenal.

Powder would be ideal, but whole dried chiles would be fine too, as the long as the quality is top notch and the price reasonable.

Edited November 12, 2009 by scott123 (log)

[ElsieD]

Scott, I buy New Mexican ground chiles from here:

http://www.chillychiles.com/catalogue/catalogue_frame.html?submenu=catalogue

I buy a kilogram at a time and use it for making chili con carne. It is super good. As you can see, they have lots of other kinds as well. you can mail order from them.

[Chris Amirault]

Rancho Gordo has had NM chile powder in the past, and it's excellent. I've also been happy with the chiles and powders at Penzeys.

[peterm2]

I'm about to put in an order with The Chile Guy. His prices are excellent and it seems he has rapid enough turnover to keep them fresh. Now if I could find some black chihuacle chiles, I would be a happy camper.

[TimmDavis]

I usually go with World Spice based out of Seattle for dried chilies, they even carry the ghost Chile. Though I will admit that I haven't had the nerve to order the hottest chile in the planet. And since I live in Oregon, it doesn't take long to get to me.

[scott123]

I'm about to put in an order with The Chile Guy. His prices are excellent and it seems he has rapid enough turnover to keep them fresh. Now if I could find some black chihuacle chiles, I would be a happy camper.

I just gave them a call. $3.50/lb for New Mexican chile powder and a verbal guarantee that I'd be getting powder from 'this' fall's harvest.

I think we've got a winner.

Now comes the hard part- deciding on how much I'm going to need. If memory serves me correctly, I went through 2#s in a year when I had NM chiles available. That involved quite a lot of restraint, though. I think 4# should do the trick. I'm also leaning towards a pound of arbol. A pound will probably last me a decade, but that's the smallest amount I can buy.

*rubbing my hands together* This is SO exciting! I've been chile deprived for way too long.

[scott123]

Update:

My chiles came!!!!!

I got four pounds of the NM mild and one pound of the guajillo (the one pound minimum for the Arbol was just too much for my present needs).

The NM mild is just gorgeous. I am in love (again). I keep opening the ziplock bag, sticking my face in and breathing deeply. I'm intoxicated.

Grand total for five pounds, including shipping to NJ- $25.

My mind is officially blown. $5 a lb. for what appears to be the chile of my dreams.

[plum tart]

Does anyone know a source for African devil or African bird's eye chiles used to make piri piri sauce. The World of Spice has a very nice blend which uses Mexican chiles and I like it but I would love to find the real thing.

[baroness]

Kalustyan's has the bird's eye chile.

[plum tart]

thank you for the tip. I found the piri piri chile and several others plus kokum and some other spices I have been looking for.