Which Chili Powder Is Less Spicy?

If you’re looking for a relatively mild chili powder, one great way to tell which one you should choose is by color. Lighter, more orange-toned chili powders will be milder, while darker, deeper brownish-red chili powder will be hotter. The color difference is caused by the concentration of chili pepper used and how long the peppers were roasted.

Most chili powders aren’t made from powdered peppers alone: The pepper powder is mixed with ingredients like oregano, basil, cumin, and garlic powder. The more ground chili pepper is included, the redder the powder will look and the spicier the powder will be. Light-colored chili powders with a bright red/orange color also aren’t roasted as long, bringing less heat from the peppers. So if you’re shopping for chili powder at the store and want a less spicy option, choose one that’s a lighter color.