Dried Bird's Eye Chilli: Intense Heat & Vibrant Flavour

The Fiery Heart of Southeast Asian Cuisine

Unlock the explosive heat and distinctive flavour of our Dried Bird's Eye Chillies. Known as Prik Kee Noo in Thailand and a staple across Southeast Asia, these small, potent chillies pack a powerful punch that is both immediate and intense. Don't let their size fool you—they deliver a sharp, clean heat (50,000-100,000 SHU) with a slightly fruity, smoky undertone that forms the foundational spice for countless iconic dishes.

Ideal for grinding into flakes, blending into pastes, or infusing into oils, these dried chillies offer a more complex, concentrated flavour than fresh alternatives, making them an essential tool for authentic Asian cooking.

Why Choose Our Bird's Eye Chillies?

• Intense, Clean Heat: Delivers a sharp, immediate spiciness that is central to Thai, Vietnamese, and Indonesian cuisines.

• Complex Flavour Profile: Offers more than just heat, with subtle fruity and smoky notes that deepen when dried.

• Versatile Form: Can be used whole for infusing, crushed for texture, or ground into a fine powder for even distribution.

• Long Shelf Life: Dried chillies retain their potency for months, always ready to add a kick to your cooking.

• Authentic Ingredient: The non-negotiable, traditional chilli for dishes like Thai Green Curry and Vietnamese Pho.

Popular Ways to Use Bird's Eye Chillies:

• Spice Pastes: A key component in authentic Thai curry pastes (Green, Red, and Panang).

• Chilli Flakes & Powder: Grind to create homemade, intensely hot seasoning.

• Infused Oils & Vinegars: Steep in oil or vinegar to create a fiery condiment.

• Soups & Broths: Add whole or crushed to Pho, Tom Yum, and other soups.

• Stir-fries & Sambals: Crush and add to wok dishes or Indonesian sambal for authentic heat.

Handle with Care: We recommend using gloves when handling these chillies, and avoid touching your eyes or face. Start with a small amount—you can always add more heat, but you can't take it away!

Store in a cool, dark, dry place in an airtight container.

Most Popular Recipe: Easy Thai-Style Chilli Oil

This versatile condiment is a fantastic way to use Bird's Eye Chillies. It's incredibly easy to make and can be used to elevate everything from noodles to eggs, pizzas to dumplings.

SpicenEasy's Easy Thai-Style Chilli Oil

• Prep Time: 5 minutes

• Cook Time: 5 minutes

• Makes: Approximately 1 cup

Ingredients:

• ½ cup SpicenEasy Dried Bird's Eye Chillies, lightly crushed*

• 1 cup neutral oil (e.g., grapeseed, rice bran)

• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

• 2 shallots, thinly sliced

• 1 tbsp SpicenEasy Coriander Seeds, lightly crushed

• 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised and cut into 2-inch pieces

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp SpicenEasy Organic coconut Palm Sugar or brown sugar

Instructions:

1. Prepare Ingredients: Lightly crush the dried Bird's Eye Chillies using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder. You want a mix of fine powder and larger flakes for texture.

2. Heat Aromatics: Combine the oil, garlic, shallots, coriander seeds, and lemongrass in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the garlic and shallots turn golden brown and are fragrant. Do not burn!

3. Combine with Chillies: Place the crushed chillies, salt, and sugar in a heatproof bowl. Carefully strain the hot oil through a fine-mesh sieve directly onto the chilli mixture. Discard the solids.

4. Infuse and Cool: Stir the chilli oil well to ensure everything is submerged. Let it cool completely to room temperature, allowing the flavours to meld.

5. Store and Serve: Transfer the chilli oil to a clean glass jar. It will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator. Drizzle over noodles, soups, rice, grilled meats, or dumplings.

Chef's Tip: For a smokier flavour, you can briefly toast the crushed dried chillies in a dry pan before adding the hot oil. Always be cautious when working with hot oil. The key to a great chilli oil is infusing the oil with the aromatics first without burning them. Letting the oil cool on the chillies prevents them from burning and becoming bitter.

The SpicenEasy Promise

We bring you the authentic, potent flavours of world cuisines, delivered fresh to your door anywhere in New Zealand. From our fiery Bird's Eye Chillies to our flavour-packed recipes, we're here to help you cook with confidence and creativity.