Red Chilli [Whole/Powder- With and Without Stem]

Chilly has two important commercial qualities. If some varieties are famous for red colour because of the pigment capsanthin, others are known for biting pungency attributed by capsaicin. India is the only country rich in many varieties with different quality factors.

Chilli is the dried ripe fruit of the genus Capsicum. Capsicum annuum is an annual sub - shrub, the flowers of which are borne singly and fruits usually pendent, which provide red peppers, cayenne, paprika and chillies and sweet pepper (bell pepper) a mild form with large inflated fruits.

Today, it is unimaginable to think of India cuisine without the hot spice, chilli. India has become world's largest producer and exporter of Chilly, exporting to USA, Canada, U.K., Saudi Arabia, Singapore , Malaysia, Germany and many countries across the world. It contributes 25% of world's total production of chilli. Some of the hottest chillies are grown in India. Indian chillies have been dominating international chilly market. Majority of chilly grown in India is cultivated in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka etc. spreaded over about nine lakh hectares of land. India produces about seven to twelve lakh tonnes of dried chillies annually.

Chillyes sold in dried form may be left a little longer on the plant to partially wither and dry out. Fruit left to over ripen like this can develop even higher levels of pungency than less mature fruits. Harvesting is done by hand or with the aid of a small knife. Some cultivars are so pungent that the harvester needs to wear gloves to avoid the skin on their hands from becoming blistered.

Chilly peppers contain a small amount of essential oils and oleoresins which can be obtained by steam distilling and solvent extraction of fruits. They replace powders in the food-processing industry.

Chilly is being exported to various countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Germany, Africa, China, Portugal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Mauritius and other mid-east countries as well.