Spicewalla Chilli Collection

Made from mild, plump poblano chiles that have been charred and dried, ancho has a supremely smoky depth that’s rich, full-bodied, and unmistakable. A staple in the famous many-ingredient mole dishes of Mexico’s Oaxaca region, it’s often used to thicken and flavor sauces and salsas, adding flavor without too much heat. Because it has a bit of fruity sweetness, it can marry well with chocolate in more adventurous desserts.

Chipotles are actually another famous pepper in disguise—they’re jalapeños that have been smoked, dried, and ground, often in the Chihuahua region of Mexico. They add a similar heat as fresh jalapeno, but with a more complex flavor. Earthy and rich, chipotle powder is a quick way to instill a little smokiness into dishes when you can’t fire up the grill, and blends well with brown sugar for salty-sweet rubs or margarita salt.

Columbus brought smoked paprika from Central America to Spain, where it was beloved for its fire and punch. Both smoked and sweet paprika are made from the same family of thin, long red peppers, and both lend savory flavors, rather than real heat. Also called pimenton, smoked paprika gives chorizo its bright red color, and lends a woodsy note to meat or veggie dishes. A little goes a long way.