THAI CHILI

Each year, Louisiana Pepper Exchange names a Pepper of the Year, spotlighting the pepper shaping what’s next in sauces, snacks, and food innovation.

For 2026, that pepper is Thai Chili.

Why Thai Chili?

Thai Chili represents where heat is going: flavor-forward, globally inspired, and highly adaptable.

Known for its sharp, clean heat and vibrant flavor, Thai Chili brings intensity without overpowering—making it ideal for modern sauces and scalable commercial applications.

Why it matters now:

  • Rising demand for global heat with balance

  • Strong performance in sauces, condiments, and foodservice

  • Broad appeal across innovation and core SKUs

This isn’t novelty heat.
It’s heat with purpose.

Flavor Profile

  • Bright, punchy heat

  • Clean finish

  • Excellent flavor carry

Thai Chili delivers intensity while letting other ingredients shine—making it a powerful foundation for layered, craveable sauces.

THAI CHILI

FORMATS AND APPLICATIONS

Thai Chili is available across multiple formats to support innovation and scale:

  • Fermented mash

  • Puree

  • Sauce systems

  • Custom formulations

Ideal for:

  • Hot sauces & finishing sauces

  • Condiments & dressings

  • Snack seasoning systems

  • Foodservice applications

FEATURED INNOVATION

THAI CHILI GUAVA SAUCE

To kick off Pepper of the Year™ 2026, we’re launching Thai Chili Guava—a bold new sauce that balances vibrant heat with subtle sweetness and depth.

This release showcases the versatility of Thai Chili and signals how this pepper will show up across innovation in the year ahead.

Explore Thai Chili for your next product.
Talk with our team about formats, applications, and custom solutions.

Request a Sample
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“The Johnny Sanchez event was the best culinary innovation session I’ve attended this year."

VP, National QSR Brand

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