Whole Dried Chillies
Entire dried chilli pods — 10,000–50,000+ SHU — graded by size and moisture, for food service, hot-pot and retail packs where the chilli must stay visible. Lantern, Jinta, facing-heaven and Xiaomi.
Indicative price: USD 1,500–1,800 per metric ton, FOB Qingdao — MOQ, packing and specification confirmed on quotation.
At a Glance
- Form
- Whole dried pods, graded by size and moisture
- Heat level
- 10,000–50,000+ SHU
- Moisture
- <13%
- Varieties
- Lantern, Jinta, facing-heaven, Xiaomi
- Certifications
- ISO 9001 & HACCP
What are whole dried chillies?
Whole dried chillies are the entire dried pod, kept intact rather than crushed or ground. They are the form for applications where the chilli is a visible ingredient — hot-pot, braised dishes, food service and retail packs. Size, colour and heat are all variety-driven, which is why the variety is the first thing to specify.
| Variety | Heat (SHU) | Region | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lantern pepper | 10,000 – 20,000 | Shandong, Hebei | Visible whole chilli |
| Jinta | 10,000 – 20,000 | Gansu | Bright colour, medium heat |
| Facing-heaven | 20,000 – 50,000 | Sichuan, Guizhou | Aromatic whole chilli |
| Xiaomi | 50,000 – 70,000 | Yunnan, Guizhou | High-heat whole chilli |
What are whole dried chillies used for?
- Food service and hot-pot
- Braised and stewed dishes
- Retail and grocery packs
- Chilli oil (whole-fruit infusion)
How to specify whole dried chillies
Name the variety, then the size grade and moisture. Lantern and facing-heaven give visual presence and aroma; Jinta adds bright colour; Xiaomi and Zidantou bring heat. Confirm under 13% moisture and whether you need de-stemmed, de-seeded or stem-on pods — the grade affects yield and final presentation.
Heat values are representative per variety. Confirm your exact variety, size grade and moisture when you inquire.
Why whole pods are the economical heat form
Whole chillies skip grinding and screening, so they are the lowest-cost form per unit heat in the range. They also release heat more slowly than powder: a whole pod exposes far less surface area to the dish, so its heat leaches out gradually instead of hitting all at once. That is the trade-off — whole pods are cheaper and slower-releasing, while powder is pricier but disperses instantly.
The Author's Take
Position: In my view, whole pods are the smart buy when shelf life and grind control matter — grind closer to use and you control the fade.
Reasoning: Whole pods fade slowest of all forms because the intact pod protects the pigment and aroma inside. Buying whole and grinding at the point of use gives you the longest shelf life and lets you control the particle size — at the cost of a grind step. If you can manage that step, whole pods usually beat pre-ground powder for quality.
Disclosure: This is my editorial view as a chilli supplier's technical team, not a contractual claim. Confirm your exact specification with us.
Related guides
- Whole vs flakes vs powder
- How to specify and source dried chilli
- Scoville Heat Units (SHU) explained
- Food safety & quality
Buyer Specification
The matrix below is confirmed together before quotation — our typical range against your target. Where a value reads Confirm specification, we set it to your requirement and document it in the quotation.
| Specification | Typical / available |
|---|---|
| Product form | Whole dried chillies |
| Variety | Lantern, Jinta, facing-heaven, Xiaomi |
| Heat level (SHU) | 10,000–50,000+ |
| ASTA colour value | Confirm specification |
| Mesh size | Confirm specification |
| Moisture | <13% |
| Processing | Confirm specification |
| Certifications | ISO 9001 & HACCP standard — BRC, Halal, Kosher on request |
Values are representative ranges. Packaging (bulk, retail or OEM), MOQ and the document set (COA, batch traceability, phytosanitary) are confirmed on inquiry — always confirm your exact target specification before a final order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are whole dried chillies?
Whole dried chillies are entire dried chilli pods, graded by size and moisture. They span 10,000–50,000+ SHU across varieties like lantern, Jinta, facing-heaven and Xiaomi, and are used where the chilli must stay visible — food service, hot-pot and retail packs.
Which varieties are best for whole dried chillies?
Lantern pepper and facing-heaven give a strong visual and aroma; Jinta offers bright colour and medium heat; Xiaomi and Zidantou bring higher heat. The variety drives size, colour and SHU, so name it when you specify.
What moisture are whole dried chillies supplied at?
Whole dried chillies are typically supplied at under 13% moisture for shelf stability, with size and moisture graded to your specification. Confirm the exact grade when you order.
How many pods per kilo?
It depends on the variety — a large Jinta pod runs about 17 g, so roughly 59 pods per kilo, while small facing-heaven or Xiaomi pods run far more per kilo. Because pod count per kg can vary several-fold across varieties, order by weight and size grade, not by pod count.