It is impossible to avoid running into Chapata Chilli when looking for pricey chiles in India. For the uninitiated, this variety originates from Warangal in Telangana. Unexpectedly, it is one of India's sweetest peppers. It's really amazing, isn't it? But why is it so expensive? Chapata sought the Geographical Indication, or GI, designation.
And it was able to acquire it in September of last year. Without exaggeration, the chilli's price skyrocketed immediately after this achievement and it began to sell for an astronomical price of around INR 1000 per kilogramme.
What does Chapata Chilli Look and Taste Like?
The Warangal region is the only place where the Chapata chilli, a tiny, deep red pepper, is cultivated. Its brilliant colour goes by the name Tomato Chapata Warangal chilli as well. It has a mild flavour and is a little less spicy. It doesn't burn particularly hot; its Scoville Scale rating is 0. So, a lot of people decide to use it as an extraction to give food colour.
Is Chapata Chilli in Demand?
On the domestic market, particularly in areas like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, this chilli is in high demand. It has a strong global market as well, with West Asia and European nations serving as its two main markets.
Why is Chapata Chilli Popular?
The Warangal-only red-dried chapata chilli, also known as "Tomato Chapata Warangal Chilli," has a look similar to Mexican capsicum. It is grown in nearby fields that have easy access to water. The green capsicum is dried to create the red chilli variety. The Scoville Scale, a tool used to measure how hot a pepper is, gives this chilli an extremely low heat or pungency score. 4,000 to 8,000 SHU is the heat value, compared to 16 million SHU for pure capsaicin.
Pickles and a number of savoury dishes made in restaurants use chapata chiles. The popularity of this kind is widespread, particularly in East Asia. There are various varieties of chapata chillies. It has a distinct sweet smell and a great flavour.
The Warangal chilli variety is used as a colourant by food and beverage manufacturers due to its beautiful natural colouring.
