Four Pepper Blend by Flat Iron Pepper Company
I discovered this Flat Iron Pepper Company blend of flakes several years ago when I was looking for something with a bit more heat. Like many people, I kept a canister of red pepper flakes in my spice cabinet to put on pizza. My red pepper flakes still have a place in a lot of recipes, but I can pretty much guarantee that you will find a permanent home in your spice cabinet for this four pepper blend once you try it.
This blend derives its name from the four varieties of peppers it contains: habanero, jalapeno, arbol, and ghost. Don’t be alarmed by the presence of habanero and ghost if you just prefer a modicum of heat. This is a balanced heat that gradually builds up instead of hitting you right in the face – there is a marked difference between shaking a little bit over your food versus adding just a tiny bit more.
The arbol peppers add a smoky depth that you won’t find in most hot pepper blends. It’s a big change from the one-dimensional cayenne red pepper flakes that you’ve been using. Consequently, it adds new dimensions to foods that you have always enjoyed. Four Pepper Blend is my go-to for pizza, but I also put it on sandwiches, pasta, and in my chicken or shrimp quesadillas.
These are pricey compared to generic red pepper flakes, a.) you are getting a premium product, and b.) one container is going to last you awhile. This blend doesn’t contain salt or additives – just pure pepper flakes. Regular red pepper flakes often contain a large number of seeds in relation to the flakes. There are still seeds (which contain most of the capsicum that gives hot peppers their punch) in Four Pepper Blend, but there are far more flakes.
There is a lot of competition for a coveted spot in my spice cabinet, but Four Pepper Blend has earned a permanent place. Flat Iron Pepper Co offers a four-pack gift set that includes this one, “Dark and Smoky,” “Sweet Heat,” and “Hatch Valley Green.”