When selecting red pepper flakes, look for bright red flakes that are not too dark or dried out. The flakes should be uniform in shape and size with no sign of mold or moisture. Avoid containers that have been opened or punctured, as this may cause the flakes to lose some of their flavor.
Red pepper flakes can be stored indefinitely if they are properly preserved. However, as with most spices, they will last longest and taste best if they are stored in a cool, dark place. Consider purchasing small containers of red pepper flakes so that you can open a fresh container for each recipe rather than storing the flakes in your spice cabinet. When properly stored, red pepper flakes will retain their flavor for about one year after opening.
How to Select
When selecting red pepper flakes, it is important to check the ingredient list for freshness. The ingredient label should read either “red pepper” or “crushed red pepper.” If it does not and lists other ingredients, chances are that the red pepper flakes are stale. By checking the ingredient list, you can also ensure that no other spices, such as salt and sugar, have been added to the product.
How to Store
Keep red pepper flakes in a tightly sealed container at room temperature. They will keep for about six months in an airtight container. If kept longer than six months, their flavor will diminish and will not be as strong as when they were purchased. Red pepper flakes can also be kept in the refrigerator or freezer for up to one year. As with all spices and herbs, it is best to store them away from light, heat and moisture. These elements will cause the flavor of the red pepper flakes to diminish more quickly than if they were stored properly.
Red pepper flakes are made from hot dried red peppers and are an excellent way to add heat and flavor to your dishes. In Italian cuisine, red pepper flakes (more commonly known as crushed red pepper) are used to spice up pizza, pasta and even soup. There are many different types of hot dried peppers that can be used to make red pepper flakes such as Aleppo, cayenne, chile de arbol, jalapeno, piquin and santaka. Each type of pepper has its own unique flavor as well as heat level. The higher the Scoville Heat Units (SHU), the hotter the pepper.
Selecting Red Pepper Flakes – The best kind of red pepper flakes to buy are those that have larger pieces of peppers in them. Usually you will find these in bulk food stores or in stores that sell Korean or Asian foods. If you buy a product that has mostly crumbs instead of larger pieces of peppers it is most likely because the product contains only the broken pieces left over from making other red pepper flake products such as powders or pastes. You can tell if there is a high concentration of broken pieces by looking at the color. If it is darker than a brick red color then it probably has too many broken
1. Look for little white specs; this indicates the flakes are fresh, as they are the natural oils in the peppercorn.
2. Store them in a dark, cool place such as a pantry or spice drawer; avoid storing red pepper flakes near the stove or other sources of heat.
3. To preserve freshness, store in an airtight container.
4. If you can’t find fresh red pepper flakes and only have dried, then add just a bit of oil (olive oil is fine) and let stand for 15 minutes before using in your recipe.
Purchasing:
Dried red pepper flakes are available in the spice section of most grocery stores. If you can’t find them, substitute cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper.
Storing:
Because dried red pepper flakes contain oils that can evaporate, they must be stored properly to retain maximum flavor and heat. Store in a cool, dry area away from light. To further protect their flavor, store in an airtight container.
If stored properly, dried red pepper flakes will keep for about one year. If the dried red pepper flakes have lost much of their heat, try crushing them before adding to your dish.
Red pepper flakes are a spice used to add heat and flavor to many dishes. The flakes come from dried and crushed hot red peppers, such as cayenne or chili peppers. They are commonly used in Italian cooking, though they are also found in many other cuisines.
How to Select
Red pepper flakes can be found in the spice section of most grocery stores. Whole dried chiles can also be ground into a powder with a mortar and pestle or spice grinder. To make homemade pepper flakes, purchase whole dried hot red chiles. Remove the stems and seeds from the chiles and tear them into small pieces that will fit in a food processor or blender. Grind the pieces until they break down into flakes.
The size of the flakes can vary from brand to brand. It is typically not necessary to grind the pepper flakes smaller, but if you prefer a hotter taste use smaller flakes or grind them finer when adding them to your recipe.
The hotness of chili peppers is measured on the Scoville scale. Dried red pepper flakes are made from cayenne peppers and are typically rated at 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville units. To make the flakes, the ripe red peppers are dried and then crushed. Red pepper flakes add a kick to sauces, dips, spreads and other dishes.
It’s easy to use too much of this potent spice so start with a small amount and work your way up until you have reached the desired heat level. Red pepper flakes are also great sprinkled over pizza or pasta dishes. They can be used in place of fresh red chilies in any recipe that calls for them.
