Does chili powder get spicier as it cooks?
May 1, 2021, 4:28 pm
#1
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Does chili powder get spicier as it cooks?
I’m making a pot of chili today, something I do infrequently enough that I forget anything about the previous time. I tasted the chili powder I used before adding it, and it wasn’t spicy at all so I threw in a small amount of cayenne pepper. Tasting the chili as it cooks, it seems much spicier than it should be for the amount of pepper I used. Does the chili powder get spicier as it cooks?
May 1, 2021, 11:30 pm
#2
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I’m making a pot of chili today, something I do infrequently enough that I forget anything about the previous time. I tasted the chili powder I used before adding it, and it wasn’t spicy at all so I threw in a small amount of cayenne pepper. Tasting the chili as it cooks, it seems much spicier than it should be for the amount of pepper I used. Does the chili powder get spicier as it cooks?
May 2, 2021, 9:26 am
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I think so. I know many spices benefit from a little time to "bloom" in a recipe, I think that might increase the intensity. Plus, the quantity is reducing so the proportions are switching. This is why you don't salt soup or broth until the end...the salt doesn't reduce and the liquid does.
gfunkdave - I use fresh peppers to start my chili. Not only do you get a better flavor, you can control the heat. I roast jalapenos and poblanos, along with an onion and some garlic. Everything goes into the food processor and made into what's basically a paste. This becomes the base for my chili instead of powder. Definitely a different flavor since they're not dried though. You can control the heat by the amount of seeds and innards you leave in. Remove all the seeds from the poblanos. For the jalapenos, I'll usually roast about 6-8 depending on size and only leave about 2 whole before adding to the food processor.
May 2, 2021, 9:57 am
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All right on.
gfunkdave - I use fresh peppers to start my chili. Not only do you get a better flavor, you can control the heat. I roast jalapenos and poblanos, along with an onion and some garlic. Everything goes into the food processor and made into what's basically a paste. This becomes the base for my chili instead of powder. Definitely a different flavor since they're not dried though. You can control the heat by the amount of seeds and innards you leave in. Remove all the seeds from the poblanos. For the jalapenos, I'll usually roast about 6-8 depending on size and only leave about 2 whole before adding to the food processor.
gfunkdave - I use fresh peppers to start my chili. Not only do you get a better flavor, you can control the heat. I roast jalapenos and poblanos, along with an onion and some garlic. Everything goes into the food processor and made into what's basically a paste. This becomes the base for my chili instead of powder. Definitely a different flavor since they're not dried though. You can control the heat by the amount of seeds and innards you leave in. Remove all the seeds from the poblanos. For the jalapenos, I'll usually roast about 6-8 depending on size and only leave about 2 whole before adding to the food processor.
May 2, 2021, 10:25 am
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David
May 2, 2021, 10:59 am
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Oil can change the "heat". Piquantness usually peaks during cooking and slowly becomes less so (hours/days later if you are making it to eat over a few days). I find this with paprikas as well as chilis (dried red for the Indian market).
May 2, 2021, 12:00 pm
#7
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If it does end up being too hot, you can add a can or tomatoes to dilute it. Also, topping with sour cream and cheese helps diffuse the heat. Or cornbread or biscuits.
May 3, 2021, 5:46 am
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Personally, I don't like my chili to taste too tomato-ey. I'd probably try diluting it with beef broth first, which is my main liquid. Just be careful not to turn it into a soup! But I agree tomatoes would help with spice.