Green Chili Powder

Green chili powder is made from dried, ground green chili peppers. The peppers are typically harvested before they fully ripen, giving them a brighter, more vegetal flavor and less intense heat than red chili powder. The drying and grinding process concentrates their flavor and makes them easy to use as a spice.

Manufacturers use green chili powder primarily as a spice to add heat and a distinct flavor to foods. It is a common ingredient in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, as well as other ethnic dishes. You'll find it in sauces, marinades, spice blends, and prepared meals.

Green chili powder is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as a food ingredient. Capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat, is being studied for potential health effects, but research is ongoing and evidence is mixed. Regulatory bodies like JECFA have evaluated capsaicinoids, but no specific numeric limits are set for green chili powder itself. At typical dietary intakes, it is not associated with adverse health effects.