Chiles

From perfectly mild to fiery heat, our comprehensive portfolio includes the largest selection of chiles to add authentic flavor, varying levels of heat and brilliant color to food & beverage products.

Ground

We take dried chiles and grind them to a powder-like consistency. This gives it a longer shelf life than fresh chiles and makes it easier to store.

Brined

Brining transforms fresh and firm chiles to a format that is softer and tangier, by gentling cooking them in a high-concentration solution of salt water.

IQF

The Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) process is used on food items that need to be preserved individually, rather than as a whole piece – making it much easier to work with.

Dehydrofrozen

DHF products are preserved by evaporating 50 – 60% of the chiles’ water before freezing. This allows the chiles to rehydrate quicker than with fully dehydrated products.

Dehydrobrine

Made using a high acid, high salt, coupled with a required hold time before shipping to render the product shelf stable at ambient temperatures with no thermal processing.

Paprika

A low-heat pepper that is a great vehicle for adding red color to sauces, soups, stews and salad dressings. Our proprietary paprika seeds are grown in the Southwestern US by farmer partners who have been working with us for decades. Once harvested, the chiles are brought to our processing facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico for cleaning, washing, drying and grinding.

Chili pepper

Chili peppers have been used in many different cuisines around the world for centuries, to provide a light, mild heat. Our chili pepper products are prepared from fresh peppers that were grown in the Southwestern US and dehydrated, milled to desired particle size, blended and processed at our facility in Las Cruces, NM to achieve desired pungency, color, and flavor.

Close up shot of ground chiles pepper powder

Chili powder

Made from one or more of our chili pepper types, combined with salt and spices. This product works well in Mexican dishes varying from chili con carne to enchiladas with red sauce and as a seasoning or natural coloring additive in savory sausages, hearty chilis, long simmering stews, spicy breadings and colorful egg dishes. Our dried chili powder is sure to mildly heat up any application.

Red chili

High heat with a touch of fruitiness, this chili can be used to bring bold spice to Southern, Caribbean, Mexican, South American and Indian cuisines or mixed with vinegar to create a liquid hot sauce. Grown and processed in India, this chili is also available in a crushed format. These vibrant flakes with seeds add punch to your applications both visually and from a flavor standpoint.

Speciality chiles

From Smokey Chipotle Peppers to the infamous green Hatch Chiles, which are exclusively grown in Hatch Valley, New Mexico, our range of specialty chiles is sure to meet your spice needs. Whether you’re looking for a hot heat, a subtle spice or to add natural, bright colors, it is likely you will find it in our portfolio.

Close up shot ofi specialty chiles spices

Read ofi news

Press Release Mar 7, 2024

ofi’s net-zero ambition recognized at UK’s largest sustainable business awards

Events Mar 6, 2024

Join ofi at Expo West 2024, March 14-16

Come connect with ofi at our booth at Natural Products Expo West 2024, the leading trade show in the natural, organic, and healthy products industry. Stop by to discover our portfolio of nutritious and delicious ingredients and learn more about how we drive sustainability impact through collaboration and work directly with customers to create new recipes and better products.

This year our theme is Flavor Fusion where you can see if you are sweet or spicy as you explore our ingredients through creating your own trail mix. We’ll be featuring a variety of ofi ingredients from our spices, nuts, and cocoa portfolios along with highlighting some of our capabilities.

Visit us from March 14-16, at Booth #3887, Hall D at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA.

[1] Actually, Lots of Gen Z Would Rather Spend Valentine’s Day with Their Friends - YPulse

Articles Feb 14, 2024

The sweet treats and trends winning hearts this Valentine’s Day

Author | Madeline Bills | Cocoa Innovation Manager at ofi

Chocolate has long been synonymous with Valentine’s Day, with sweet treats a classic way to celebrate the season of love.

But Valentine’s Day is evolving, with Gen Z and Millennials redefining traditions. Many consumers are choosing to celebrate this day with friends and family members, as well as significant others. In 2023, 40% of Gen Z and 20% of Millennials said they were planning to buy their friends a Valentine’s gift.^[1] And what better way to do so than with cocoa?

As consumers change the way they celebrate Valentine’s Day – and who they celebrate with – there is an opportunity for manufacturers to develop new products. From introducing more exotic flavors in confectionery to creating more experiential formats and expanding into new categories, we’re seeing companies inventing new ways for consumers to celebrate the season of love with those who matter most to them. At ofi we explore the top chocolate, confectionery and bakery trends shaping Valentine’s Day 2024 and how manufacturers can develop new offerings to win the hearts of consumers.

^[1] Actually, Lots of Gen Z Would Rather Spend Valentine’s Day with Their Friends - YPulse