Piri Piri
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- Origin
- Mozambique
- Scoville Heat Units
- 50 000 - 100 000 SHU
- Flavor
- Fruity, Citrus
- Color
- Red
- Shape
- Small and elongated
Description
The Piri Piri also spelled Peri Peri is a small but intensely hot chili originally from Africa that was spread by Portuguese colonial traders and explorers becoming deeply embedded in the culinary traditions of Mozambique Portugal Angola and Brazil. Its tiny elongated red pods of 2-4 cm deliver bright fruity heat with a characteristic citrusy tang and are used in the legendary Portuguese piri piri sauce grilled chicken marinades and as the defining ingredient of Mozambican cooking. The Nando's restaurant chain popularized piri piri flavors globally bringing this African-Portuguese chili tradition to international mainstream cuisine.