Why did my red chili powder turn brown?
![Why did my red chili powder turn brown? - Composition of multicolored ground spices spilled on black background Why did my red chili powder turn brown? - Composition of multicolored ground spices spilled on black background](/assets/images/why_did_my_red_chili_powder_turn_brown_0.jpeg)
When fresh , it was pure red in color. But after a couple of months it turned brown. Its home made so no case of adulteration.
Best Answer
What you are seeing is called oxidation (in most vegetable matter this is the enzyme breakdown of the phenols into melanin)
Some of the chemicals in the chilli powder have reacted with oxygen in the air, and over time have therefore changed colour. This is quite normal, and many foods exhibit this change
It most foods it does indicate a loss of flavour as well. This can be a good thing, as it may take away sharp tannin tastes for instance
In my experience chilli, whole or powder, changes in a good way with aging
The only way to reduce this effect is to pack the chilli powder in air tight containers, and use oxygen absorbers (pure iron) and a vacuum pump or flood it with nitrogen gas. Another way is to store it in the freezer, but this may have other undesirable side effects
Commercially some powdered foods are protected by coating them with a preservative, in this case citric acid. To be effective the surface of each grain of the chilli powder needs to be coated in a citric acid "film". The techniques for doing this are not generally possible, and may involve "secret" machines using ion-deposition, or centrifuge drying
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![Why did my red chili powder turn brown? - Top view of dry curcuma with smoked paprika and mix of ground peppers on plastic spoons on marble table Why did my red chili powder turn brown? - Top view of dry curcuma with smoked paprika and mix of ground peppers on plastic spoons on marble table](/assets/images/why_did_my_red_chili_powder_turn_brown_1.jpeg)
![Why did my red chili powder turn brown? - Assorted colorful dry powdered spices on black background Why did my red chili powder turn brown? - Assorted colorful dry powdered spices on black background](/assets/images/why_did_my_red_chili_powder_turn_brown_2.jpeg)
![Why did my red chili powder turn brown? - Ground turmeric and hot paprika on cutting board Why did my red chili powder turn brown? - Ground turmeric and hot paprika on cutting board](/assets/images/why_did_my_red_chili_powder_turn_brown_3.jpeg)
Quick Answer about "Why did my red chili powder turn brown?"
Why did my Red Chilli Powder Turned Brown? Some of the chemicals in the chilli powder have reacted with oxygen in the air, and over time have therefore changed colour. This is quite normal, and many foods exhibit this change. In my experience chilli, whole or powder, changes in a good way with aging.How can you tell if chili powder is bad?
How to Tell if Chili Powder Is Bad. Like other ground spices, chili powder doesn't go bad in a way it's unsafe to eat. Unless, of course, water gets inside the package. If there are any signs of mold, wet spots, or big clumps, that means water got there, and you should discard the powder.Can you use old chilli powder?
The good news is using expired chili powder has no real risks. To be sure, chili powder does not have an expiry date. The spice does not go bad and is safe to use past the sell-by date recommended by the manufacturer. However, you should never consume spice that contains mold or shows signs of spoilage.Does red chili powder expire?
You can expect chili powder to last for up to three years if you store it correctly. Note that even under ideal storage conditions, you should still expect chili powder to lose some of its flavor over time. Like any ground spice, its pungency will decrease the longer you have it.What color should chili powder be?
Chili powder is a red-colored blend of powdered spices. While it contains some cayenne pepper for heat, it also has spices such as cumin, garlic powder, oregano, and paprika intended to lend the flavors expected in chili con carne.Is ur chilly powder pure? Lets check
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