History of Guajillo Chiles

People have been eating chiles for thousands of years. By the time Columbus arrived in the Americas, chiles were already a huge part of the local diets. Aztecs were cultivating various chiles, one of which was the mirasol chile. The name mirasol means "looking at the sun" which is exactly how these particular chiles grow- pointing toward the sun. There was once a Franciscan friar by the name of Bernardino de Sahagun who arrived in New Spain, or modern day Mexico, and spent the next 50 years immersing himself in the culture, learning the language, and writing about it. The Aztecs were extremely partial to chiles and gave them great importance in their diets.

Guajillo Chile Cultivation

Guajillos start out as Mirasol chiles. These chiles grow all over the world, though mainly in China, Peru, Mexico, and parts of the United States. Chileheads are very particular about their guajillo chiles. As they tend to have a bit of a hotter flavor profile when they are grown in Peru and China, chilehead prefer guajillos grown in other parts of the world.

In the warmer, arid regions of Mexico and the US where you are to find the highest quality guajillos, you will find that the plants produce chiles that grow about 4-6" long and measure about an inch thick. This is a chile with an elongated, tapered point that is sometimes curved. The color of the chile tends to be a burgundy to brick red with copper tones, but it can vary in color and shape. Sometimes they are small while other times they are longer. Their skin can be smooth or wrinkly. This can be confusing for those who are untrained in identifying specific chiles. Top quality guajillos will usually be smooth, but it just depends on where they were grown. Like other chiles, guajillos require plenty of water and direct sunshine to grow successfully. They shouldn't be overwatered, as this can cause root rot.

Where are Guajillo Chile Flakes from?

Our Guajillo Chile Flakes are from the United States.

Are Guajillo Chiles Hot?

Guajillo Chile Flakes have a heat range of 2,500 to 5,000 SHU depending on where they are grown.

Cooking with Guajillo Chile Flakes

Guajillo Chile Flakes are used in Mexican cooking to add flavor, color, and just a little bit of heat. They are usually used in conjunction with Ancho and Pasilla Chiles in moles. You will also find that Guajillo Chile Flakes taste wonderful on meats and as such are great for use in rubs and pastes designed to be used on meat. They're also a great ingredient to use in enchiladas, salsas, sauces, soups, stews, and tamales. They're also common in North African and Peruvian cooking.

Because of their unique, sweeter flavor, they are a good chile flake to experiment with if you like the taste of chiles but don't necessarily love the heat you can find in some chiles. Because of their sweeter qualities, guajillo chiles pair really well with chocolate.

Guajillo chile flakes can be toasted before they are used in a recipe. Simply heat a pan over medium heat, add the chile flakes and let them heat up until they become fragrant, about 20 to 30 seconds. Once they're toasted, you can use them in any dish you desire and their deep flavors will continue to stand out.

One of our favorite recipes using Guajillo Chile Flakes is Pasilla de Oaxaca Black Bean Dip.

What Do Guajillo Chile Flakes Taste Like?

Guajillo Chile Flakes are slightly fruity, with a sweet heat. They are tannic and have a flavor that is a little piney, and somewhat like tart berries with smoky undertones.

Can I Substitute Ancho Chile Flakes for Guajillo Chile Flakes?

Ancho Chiles are in fact a very common substitute for Guajillo Chiles. You can use either type of chile flake interchangeably.

Guajillo Chile Flake Substitutions and Conversions

When substituting for a chile flake, there are several angles to consider. If you are looking for an easy, adequate substitution, Ancho Chiles are a good bet. If you want something with a similar flavor profile and heat level, reach for a Pasilla Negro. If you want something that tastes similar, but is a bit hotter, then Cascabels are a good choice.

Read More

** This product is certified kosher.