Chinese Chile Crisp

"The three best cuisines in the world are Chinese, Chinese and Chinese"  — James Beard

With our founder Mark having spent a good span of his formative years in China and the summer of 1994 in Chengdu, the capital of the Szechuan Province and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, we knew we had to launch our line of oo’mämē chile crisps by first paying homage to this source of his culinary passion and love of global flavors. Chengdu is world-renowned for its spicy cuisine and culinary innovation. And, while at first glance, Szechuan food might seem to rely exclusively on hot and spicy notes, Chengdu’s 200+ Masters Chefs are skilled at nuance, coaxing out layered flavors with a finely tuned balance of the fiery Szechuan peppercorn. Our Chinese oo’mämē Chile Crisp captures all that in just one jar.

Perhaps the best known of Chengdu’s dishes is Kung Pao chicken. Hot oil is infused with a variety of chilis, including mala, the famous Szechuan peppercorn. A contraction of two Chinese characters – 麻   and 辣 meaning numbing and spicy, Mala is aptly named. From there, Kung Pao gets a serious dose of peanuts, garlic, ginger and a few other aromatics, along with chicken marinated in a fermented rice wine, adding a level of umami.

Our oo’mämē chile crisp short-cuts that lengthy meal prep process by providing a condiment you can add to your own selection of fresh ingredients, all while honoring the Chinese philosophy of harmony balanced with uniqueness. Like the Master Chefs, our oo’mämē Chinese Chile Crisp brings layers of spicy Szechuan flavors, while also adding a variety of textures to create that party in your mouth feel. Tingly Mala peppercorns, spicy red pepper flakes, chewy crystallized ginger, savory fermented black beans, and crunchy peanuts are just some of the guests at this party. Together they create a bold and sassy flavor-riot that packs a punch, taking you on a global culinary journey while simplifying mealtime. Gain the confidence to go beyond your standard repertoire and explore new cuisines!