Chinese crushed red pepper, also known as Chinese chili flakes, brings a bold, spicy flavor to dishes. These flakes are made from dried chili peppers and are widely used in Chinese cuisine to add heat and aroma to stir-fries, noodle dishes, and sauces. Chinese crushed red pepper varies in heat level, with some varieties offering a mild warmth suitable for enhancing flavors without overwhelming dishes, while others provide a fiery kick that intensifies the heat.

Apart from being really easy to make, here are some more reasons why I like to make this sauce at home

In terms of nutritional value, both paprika and bell peppers are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, but bell peppers have a higher water content and are lower in calories.

Hot paprika, on the other hand, is made from hotter varieties of red peppers, such as cayenne or chili peppers. It has a deeper red color and a much spicier, more intense flavor compared to sweet paprika. Hot paprika adds a fiery kick to dishes and is commonly used in spicy dishes like chili, curry, and spicy sausages. It is also a key ingredient in dishes from regions like Hungary and Spain, where it is used to add heat and flavor to traditional recipes.

Get some high-grade cayenne powder here.

Those who love Korean cuisine probably already know this next backup. Gochugaru powder is better known in the US as ground Korean chili powder. This famous Asian condiment is loved for its sweet and spicy taste with a subtle smoky note, making it a nice paprika alternative. It’s also prized for its color which adds a bright red hue to dishes like tteokbokki (Korean spicy rice cake) and yukgaejang (spicy beef soup).