We’re back with a new post in our Chronicles of Indian chillies series! This is Chili no. 3, if you were counting. As you know, over the last few weeks, we’ve been on a spicy trail of the senses, exploring different chili pepper varieties here in India.
First up was the Bhavnagri Chili (????) from Gujarat and Rajasthan, soon followed by another variety from Gujarat: the spicy Jwala Chili (????????).
Today, we have a variety from down South, the Byadgi Chili from Karnataka (????)!
We learnt a lot about this chili pepper, including:
- This is a red chili pepper variety, making it the first red on our list
Byadgi Chili is named after the town of Byadgi in Haveri district, Karnataka. These chilies are famous for their aroma, mild pungency, and moderate seed content. They are also considered one of the brightest colorant chilies in India.
- Byadgi Chilies have two sub-varieties: Dabbi and Kaddi
Dabbi Byadgi Chilies are plump and round with more seeds, while Kaddi Byadgi Chilies are gnarled, thin, and long, with not many seeds.
- Identifying traits
What’s important to note about Byadgi Chilies are the shriveling of these peppers, characterized by the wrinkles on their pods. Thick-skinned chilies typically do shrivel up, they have more color and tend to be sweeter. As Byadgi Chilies shrivel, they lose moisture, helping concentrate their color and sweetness.
- Byadgi Chili falls under the Capsicum annuum family
You may have heard of bell, cayenne, pimiento, jalapeño chili peppers (among plenty other varieties) – they’re all in the same family! Neat, huh?
- These peppers can act as coloring in foods, and… Cosmetics
Byadgi Chilies’ deep red color and oleoresin (a natural plant product containing chiefly essential oil and resin) can be used in the making of nail polish and lipsticks! Whoa!
- Byadgi Chilies, a South Indian cuisine staple
Byadgi Chilies are used in the preparation of rasams, sambars, chutneys (a dip, kind of like your fave Indian chili sauce), and masala mixes. Byadgi Chilies also feature in recipes for Bisi Bele Bath, Chicken Ghee Roast, Chicken Sukka, Chili Chutney, and Karwari Fish Curry.
When dried, Byadgi Chilies crumble like ‘ash paper’ and can be used as paprika, in a flaked form.
- Byadgi Chilies have a Geographical Indication tag, as of 2011
A geographical indication (GI) tag signifies products having a specific geographical origin and possessing qualities or a reputation due to that origin. Super cool! Speaking of cool, Byadgi Chilies are grown under rain-fed conditions and night frost. This helps render the sweet flavor synonymous with these Capsicum annuum chilies!
Sources: Britannica, Merriam-Webster, Ranveer Brar, Savaari, Vikhroli Cucina
That was a lot of interesting information, wouldn’t you say? It’s made us very hungry for some burgers and trusty fries, with lots of spicy chili sauce, yes, please!
Ooh, and if you’re a fan of our burgers that have just enough lively spice and all those special McDonald’s chili sauces, keep your eyes peeled! ???? Something spicy, coming right up. Well, soon enough! McDonald’s the word ????
Chop, chop, time to get your order now! Don’t forget to use the McDonald’s App in stores AND the McDelivery® website and McDelivery® App when you’re ordering online.
It’s time to McDonald’s and chill! ????️
