Dried Chile De áRbol

Dried chiles de árbol are slender, bright red chili pods with taut, papery skins and woody stems. They deliver piercing heat with a grassy, nutty profile that blooms when toasted; use whole to infuse oils and broths, or crumble or grind into salsas, moles, and spice rubs. Commonly sold as whole pods or flakes, they tolerate quick frying and brief simmering without disintegrating.\n\nOriginating in western Mexico, particularly Jalisco, chile de árbol became a staple in Mexican salsas and table sauces and spread throughout North American kitchens. Pods are sun- or air-dried after harvest, and commercial supplies now come from Mexican growing regions and export-oriented farms in China.