Ancho chili (ground)

Description

Ancho is the dried version of the Poblano chili, originally from Mexico. These are very mild chilies, and incredibly – they are extremely popular in the meals of Mexico’s passionate eaters. Fresh Poblano chili pods are large and fleshy – reaching up to 15 cm in length and 7 cm in thickness. Unripe Poblano chilies are green, but under the influence of the sun, they gradually change color to dark red and then almost black when fully ripe. Green Poblano chilies are mostly eaten fresh, but the dark and ripe ones are mostly dried.

Ancho has a sweet, fruity flavor, somewhat similar to raisins, licorice, and even coffee. Ancho is often combined with hotter chilies to make meals more diverse.

Ancho will be a great fit for dark sauces, meat dishes, pasta dishes, and various desserts – especially those made with chocolate and fruits.