Chilli powder is an integral ingredient in the spice boxes of Indian kitchens. Without the fiery red powder, Indian cooking doesn’t get its distinct heat and flavour. There’s Kashmiri red chilli, Guntur sannam, bhut jolokia, jwala chilli, birds eye chilli, Ramnad gundu and so on to choose with Difference Between Deggi Mirch And Kashmiri Lal Mirch.
There’s one chilli powder that’s used quite ubiquitously in Indian households and that is deggi mirch. It’s used for the bright orange-red colour and heat it imparts. It’s ideal for dishes like chicken tandoori, paneer tikka, pav bhaji and other foods where a deep red colour is integral.
What is deggi mirch chilli powder?
Deggi mirch powder is a spice mix made by combining two chilli peppers — Kashmiri chillies and red bell peppers. It’s prized for its mild pungency and the rich orange-red colour it imparts. It’s used widely in the north of India to flavour and colour foods like dals, kebabs, curries, etc.
Health benefits of deggi mirch chilli powder
The health benefits of deggi mirch are the same as those of regular red chillies. It is a good source of vitamin C, vitamins A, K, B6, potassium. phenolic compounds and carotenoids. In the right quantity, red pepper mix like deggi mirch can be beneficial for stomach disorders, skin diseases, inflammatory conditions like arthritis and obesity.
Ayurvedic texts also hail red bell peppers and chillies for their blood-purifying properties. Rich in antioxidants, deggi mirch can also help in reducing inflammation in the body and boosting the immune system. Carotenoids, vitamin A and C in the spice mix also benefit skin health. Let’s take a look all the health benefits of deggi mirch.
1. Could aid in weight loss:
Peppers are fat-burning foods capable of torching body fat if consumed regularly. These peppers also help in decreasing appetite, reducing the risk of obesity and weight gain. Capsaicin in red chillies and bell peppers reduces the formation of fat cells, promotes satiety and modulates gut bacteria to prevent weight gain.
2. Could increase lifespan:
A study connected red pepper consumption to a longer life. It said that adults who consumed hot red chilli peppers and spicy food had 14% lower death hazards due to cancer, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory disease.
3. Boosts immune system:
Deggi mirch contains good amounts of vitamin C, which is a crucial nutrient that boosts the immune system.
4. May prevent cancer:
High vitamin C content in deggi mirch also helps keep a check on free radicals, preventing oxidative stress and diseases like cancers.
5. Anti-ageing:
Vitamin C is a crucial nutrient in producing collagen, a protein responsible for the structure of the skin. When the body ages, the production of collagen goes down, giving rise to wrinkles and loose skin. When the body gets enough vitamin C, it produces enough collagen to keep the skin looking younger for longer. Peppers also contain vitamin A, which protects the skin against sun damage and prevents premature ageing.
Other health benefits of deggi mirch:
- Antioxidant
- Antimicrobial
- Can improve brain health by preventing Alzheimer’s disease
- Can improve neural health by preventing Parkinson’s disease
- Improves eyesight by fighting cataract
- Improves iron absorption
- Supports protein metabolism
- Can heal skin problems
- Speeds up wound healing
- Purifies blood
- Improves brain functions
Deggi mirch and Kashmiri mirch difference
Deggi mirch and Kashmiri mirch (chilli powder) have been often confused for the same thing because they have similar functionalities in Indian cooking. Both are used in dishes where you need a mild pungency and a bright-red colour. However, deggi mirch and Kashmiri chilli powder are not the same.
Deggi mirch contains Kashmiri chilli powder along with dried red bell pepper powder. It’s slightly spicier than Kashmiri chilli powder. The colour imparted by deggi mirch chilli powder is also slightly orangish.
Kashmiri chilli powder on the other hand is not as pungent and imparts a reddish colour.
What is the Difference Between Deghi Mirchi and Kashmiri Mirchi?
India is the epitome of the production and usage of spices. Indians love spicy food and so their favorite spice has to be mirchi (chillies). The most famous options available in powder form are Deghi Mirchi powder and Kashmiri red chilli powder. Both these spices are versions of red chilli powder in terms of how spicy they are. Both Deghi Mirchi and Kashmiri Chilli are mild considering their spice levels, but despite that, both are very different in taste.
To know the difference, we will have to dive deep into its understanding. Let us understand the difference between them.
What Is Deghi Mirchi?
Deghi Mirchi measures about 1,500 to 2,000 Scoville units. The dried Deghi Mirchi powder tastes similar to paprika but when it is roasted with some oil, its releases it spiciness and adds a different flavor to the dish.
What Is Kashmiri Mirchi?
India is the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of Kashmiri red chillies. They are a blend of quality red chillies grown in Kashmir. These chillies could be used as a whole spice, in powder form, or by slitting it in pieces. Kashmiri chilli gives a vibrant red color to food and is also capable of adding flavor to any dish. These chillies are also mild and measure about 1,000 – 2,000 Scoville units.
How are Deghi Mirchi and Kashmiri Mirchi different?
Deghi Mirchi is like mild paprika. It gives a deep red color to gravies, stews, and soups without much heat. This chilli is hotter than Deghi Mirchi but milder than other chillies like Gantur and Manthania, to name a few.
There are different types of chillies like Green chillies, Gundu chillies, Reshampatti Chillies, Naga Chillies, and Jwala Chillies. If you are willing to know more about Vasant Masala’s ethically produces Kashmiri chilli powder, you can click on the link mentioned below to read more.
Is Deggi Mirch the same as chili powder?
“Deggi Mirch is a favorite in the Dishoom kitchen. Milder than a regular chili powder, Deggi Mirch has a medium heat with a vibrant red hue, thanks to Kashmir chili peppers.
What is so special about Kashmiri Mirch?
Kashmiri red chili is a mild and dry chili, which adds a rich flavor to Indian cuisine. They are not too spicy and their vibrant red color adds a splash of color to the dish. In fact, the ground version of the Kashmiri red chilli, i.e. the powdered form, is widely used in Indian cooking.
How can we identify Kashmiri Lal mirch?
Kashmiri Mirch Rich wine red color, wrinkled appearance and not so hot, that is the definition of Kashmiri chili. The Kashmiri chili is smaller, rounder, and less hot, but it gives a very bright red color to food.
