Where can I source Mexican chilies in the UK?
I've traveled to Mexico and the US and seen different chilies available there, but at home in the UK (or even worse, in my fiancée's home of Finland) I find it very hard to find Ancho, Poblano and Chipotle chilies.
Oaxaca Restaurants lists a lot of interesting-sounding chilies, but I have no idea how to source them.
I have once found dried Chipotle chilies in a supermarket, but at that time I was not entirely sure of the right way to rehydrate them (and I'm still not).
Where should I look for North American type chilies? And if I only find dried, can I use them instead of fresh?
Best Answer
Mex Grocer has an excellent selection: http://www.mexgrocer.co.uk/. I've ordered chillies once from them in the past with success.
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What are Mexican chillies called?
These super hot (100k-140kn scoville units) and tiny Mexican chillies are also known by many other names such as tep\xedn, chiltep\xedn, chilito, or chiapas. They are most commonly found dried but these peppers have the same name regardless of whether they are dried or fresh.Where do most chilis come from?
Chili peppers originated in Bolivia and were first cultivated in Mexico. After the Columbian Exchange, many cultivars of chili pepper spread around the world, used for both food and traditional medicine....Chili pepperGenus:Capsicum L.Varieties and Groups13 more rowsWhat is the most popular chili pepper in Mexico?
Jalape\xf1os really have a space all their own among chilies. It's the most popular chili, not only in Mexico but also around the world. There's a bright bite, perfect for fresh salsas and just spicy enough.Do they have chilli in the UK?
The answer is no. There is no Chili's in the UK or London, but there used to be \u2013 more on that in a bit.WHERE TO BUY MEXICAN CHILLIES IN LONDON
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Answer 2
There are a bunch of places online (a bunch sell through amazon). Personally I've found Chinese supermarkets to be pretty good. They may not sell every variety but they have much better range than the mainstream ones.
You don't really rehydrate them to their original form but soak them in warm water for about 20-30 minutes to get the flavour out and then just use them like regular fresh chilis.
Answer 3
The Chilli Company in Suffolk (just up the road from me :-) ) certainly have chipotle chillies as they sell chipotle sauce; although they don't list chillies for sale on their website it might be worth giving them a ring.
Answer 4
If you want traditional Mexican chillies then I recommend getting them from mexika.co.uk they seem to have a good variety, the chilli section is here here.
Answer 5
The best place I know of to get chiles in the UK is from Lupe Pinto's in Scotland. They've got two stores and until recently had an online store. They carry stuff from North & South America. I think you can also get a tortilla press and masa for making corn tortillas (which is on my wishlist, being a Texan in the UK)
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