Calabrian Chile Flakes, Capsicum annuum, have a Scoville Heat Unit rating of 25,000-40,000 SHU. They are also known as Calabrian hot chili pepper flakes, dried Calabrian hot chili pepper, Calabrian crushed red pepper flakes, or dried Calabrian chili flakes. 

These peppers originate from Calabria, which is the southern toe of Italy’s boot shape. Locally, they are called peperone picante Calabrese, the spicy pepper of Calabria. These little peppers have a lot of nicknames; they are also peperoncino, pepperoncino, pepperoncini, or pepperoncini.

Businesses interested in Calabrian Chile Flakes include:

• Italian, pizza, Mexican, Asian or Asian fusion, and bar and grill-style restaurants; 
• frozen pizza, meal subscriptions, sauce, jam, and condiment manufacturers;
• catering companies;
• seasoning companies; 
• olive oil shops; and 
• independent spice shops

Flavor Profile

Calabrian Chile Flakes are woody and warm, with notes of raisin or plum and a touch of smoke. 

Heat Level 

Calabrian Chile Flakes are hot, measuring 25,000-40,000 SHU.

How To Use

Use Calabrian Chile Flakes anywhere you would use Crushed Red Pepper Flakes. These chiles are excellent with meat, pasta dishes, rice dishes, tomatoes, soups, sauces, and cheeses.

They can be sautéed with vegetables, mixed into salads, served as a garnish for dark chocolate, or paired with onions and garlic and thrown onto pizza. They are common in Italian antipastos and make terrific, spicy bloody Marys.

Calabrian Chile Flakes pair well with garlic, onions, tomato, thyme, oregano, basil, lemon, truffles, mushrooms, and vinegar.

Use them with chicken, pasta, pork, tuna, capers, eggplant, carrots, artichokes, beans, chickpeas, sausage, shrimp, grilled pineapple, and in salsas and marinades.