Smoked Chili Flakes

Jar, 50g. 

The Karatzova peppers used for these vastly popular Smoked Chili Flakes are nowadays cultivated by just a handful of families living at the northern frontier of Almopia. Once ripe, these mildly hot, fleshy peppers are washed, hand-sorted, placed on birch wood, and slow-smoked for 10 days. During the smoking process, the farmers work shifts guarding the fire day and night, ensuring it never goes out. The peppers are then destemmed and crushed by hand, giving life to a spice rub collectively known across Greece as Bukovo.

Addictively pleasant, sweet, mellow, and with a lasting flavor, these Smoked Chili Flakes form an ideal backbone for stews, soups, and sauces. In the traditional cuisine of North Greece, they are often scattered over yogurt as a seasoning for meat grills and thick soups. They’re an essential ingredient for baked Feta cheese – a yummy mezze that you should absolutely try. They make the perfect topping for avocado toast or charred broccoli, while they’re equally satisfying on a soft-boiled egg.