Spice
Árbol
A tier
Chile de árbol is a slender, bright red dried Mexican chilli delivering clean, sharp heat with less fruit sweetness than guajillo. Essential for spicy table salsas and oil infusions. Toast carefully—burns turn bitter. Blend with tomatillo or peanut sauces. Powder is fierce; start small. Often sold whole in cellophane bags.
Track this ingredient
Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
DriedFlakeFreshPickledPowderRoastedSauceSmoked
Traits
Bright RedCleanDriedMexicanPungentSharpSharp HotSlim Dried Hot
History
MX
Árbol-type slim hot chillies were dried for everyday heat.
MX
Chile de árbol became a standard dried hot in Mexican markets.
US
US Latin markets stocked árbol widely.
Árbol heat defined many restaurant red table salsas.