Tien Tsin chiles are very hot Chinese chiles that are particularly suited to Hunan and Szechuan cuisines. They are also perfect for making your own chile oil. Tien Tsin chiles are small, red and flat, and can be difficult to distinguish from the bags of unidentified “red chiles” you see at the supermarket. These are much more flavourful though, and much hotter.
Heat level: 8–9 out of 10