Cape Herb & Spice: bringing the heat with innovation in flavour on World Chilli Day, 27 February 2025.
As global food trends continue to favour bold flavours and multi-sensory experiences, one ingredient remains at the forefront of culinary excitement – chilli.
From its fiery origins in Central and South America to its status as a global pantry staple, chilli has become synonymous with heat, flavour, and innovation. At the helm of this flavour revolution is Cape Herb & Spice, a homegrown leader in spice innovation, responding to consumer demand for heat and crunch with cutting-edge seasoning solutions.
The Business of Heat: Why Consumers Can’t Get Enough Spice
The love for heat is nothing new, but its role in modern cuisine has evolved dramatically. Globally, around 34 million metric tons of chilli peppers are produced annually, spanning over 50,000 varieties. (To put 34 million tons of chilli peppers into perspective, it is about five times the weight of the Great Pyramid of Giza.) The dried chilli market alone is projected to grow to USD 2.3 billion by 2030, fuelled by a consumer base that craves more than just spice – they want complexity, depth, and sensory experience.
“Chilli peppers are as complex as wine, offering a spectrum of varietals and flavours. Each variety tells a unique flavour story, making chillies an exciting ingredient beyond just heat.” – Shelley Barnard, Sales and Marketing Executive at Cape Herb & Spice.
Cape Herb & Spice: Leading the Market in Innovation
Cape Herb & Spice, a member of the Libstar Group, first launched in 1992 with an early appreciation for chilli. Today Cape Herb & Spice exports its seasonings, rubs and sauces to more than 30 countries. Its extensive range includes several products, from seasoning shakers to hot sauce ranges ensuring that both mild heat seekers and spice aficionados find their perfect match. For serious chilli-lovers there is the Chilli Sauce Challenge – a punishingly hot selection of five sauces to challenge your tastebuds to a journey of discovery.
One of their most successful innovations is the Chilli Crunch seasoning, a game-changing product inspired by Chinese Chilli Crisp, a globally trending spicy and crispy condiment. Unlike traditional oil-based chilli crisps, Cape Herb & Spice’s dry blend of crispy sweet onion, roasted garlic, and chilli delivers bold flavour and irresistible crunch with a surprising zing of Szechuan pepper.
“The fusion of heat and texture is a massive global food trend,” says Barnard. “We saw an opportunity to create something innovative, removing the oil but keeping the addictive crunch. Our Chilli Crunch shaker brings together the best of both worlds – intense flavour and a satisfying glow.”
Sourcing the Finest Chillis: From Field to Flavour
A commitment to quality and traceability is at the heart of The Cape Herb & Spice operations. The company brings in chillies directly from source, ensuring each batch meets rigorous food safety standards while preserving its natural flavour complexity. Their expert team carefully selects chillies from Mexico, India, and Africa, blending them in-house to find the sweet spot of heat, texture and crunch.
For example, Cape Herb & Spice smokes red Jalapeños from Mexico at their factory in Cape Town, to craft their signature Chipotle seasoning, layering smoky depth onto the natural heat. The Chipotle seasoning is Barnard’s personal favourite as it has an underlying fruity, sweetness with savoury and smoky notes that delivers a medium heat and is incredibly versatile.
Indian Ghost Chillies, sourced from Nagaland, are exposed to the high temperatures of subtropical India that intensifies their fiery kick. This meticulous approach ensures that every shake, pinch, or spoonful of Cape Herb & Spice’s seasonings delivers an authentic and unforgettable flavour experience.
“Many people think chillies are just about heat, but they bring so much more to the table,” adds Barnard. “Mild chillies like Ancho – which means big – are sweet and tart, while hotter varieties like Habanero are fruity and nutty – it has a distinctive flavour which you taste before it throws you against the wall. Understanding the balance between heat and flavour allows us to truly appreciate the depth and diversity that chillies offer in cooking.”
Bold, Natural, and Always Innovative
The Cape Herb & Spice philosophy is simple: deliver bold, natural flavours with a focus on the highest quality ingredients which is as clean as possible. All their seasonings are non-GMO, non-irradiated, and free from artificial colours and flavours with no added MSG. They are also Kosher and Halaal certified and suitable for vegans, ensuring accessibility to a broad consumer base.
As global palates continue to crave spice, heat, and texture, Cape Herb & Spice remains at the forefront of innovation – bringing the world’s best chillies from farm to fork. Whether you’re looking for smoky complexity, sweet heat, or a satisfying crunch, their range is designed to elevate every meal with flavour that excites.
Explore the full Cape Herb & Spice range at www.capeherb.co.za
