Of all the chili powders available at the grocery store, this brand is undoubtedly a staple in the pantry of many Mexican families. In fact, they even have a mini version to carry in your backpack. Does that sound familiar? The health organization El Poder del Consumidor conducted a very recent study on this product, and it’s definitely better to buy another version.
Beware! That chili powder you buy at the grocery store can affect your health.
Chili powder is one of the foods that is always on the Mexican palate. Whether in sauce, vinegar, strips of chili, or even powder, it always accompanies us in snacks and dishes. And yes, that ground version is the one that’s always in our pantry or on the table, and we add it to fruit, corn, ice cream, or candy. But unfortunately, El Poder del Consumidor has already branded a brand with the huarache.
That was Tajín, yes, that super-famous one where we even fell in love with its mini version for lunch or to carry in our backpack just in case we crave it. The organization explained that, in addition to exceeding the sodium content (it exceeds 48% of the recommended intake for adults and 64% for children), it contains an additive that affects cells and the brain.
This is silicon dioxide, which in large doses or through direct exposure can cause silicosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust, a mineral found in many rocks.
“Silicon dioxide causes scarring that appears in the alveoli. These lesions can prevent oxygen from reaching the blood, making breathing difficult and, in severe cases, can cause death (depending on the degree of hypersensitivity). It has also been observed to affect neuronal differentiation and mitochondrial function,” El Poder del Consumidor explained about the Tajín additive.
And if that weren’t enough, they also lie about their transparency in their information, since the brand claims it’s a “natural” product because it’s “free of artificial colors or flavors,” but the truth is that it does contain them.
Make your own Tajín chili at home quickly and easily
It’s time to put on your apron, because yes, in this food product analysis, we also bring you nothing more and nothing less than the homemade and super-easy-to-make version, so there are no excuses like “nothing else is edible” or “what am I going to replace it with now?” None of that.
This recipe is from content creator Josué Flores Cocina, who even does a comparison and shows that making your own Tajín chili at home is half the price of buying it; in fact, it costs just over 150 g. Write down what you need.
Ingredients:
16 guajillo chiles
3 ancho chiles
45 arbol chiles
35 g salt
27.5 g citric acid
Process:
Remove the seeds from the chiles and toast them for a few minutes. Let them cool and then grind them slightly with your hands.
Place them in the blender and let them turn into a powder.
Place the ground chiles in a bowl and add the citric acid and salt. Mix with a spoon.
Transfer your chili piquín to a tightly sealed jar and that’s it.
Remember: no one told you to stop eating chili (well, it’s best to avoid it if you have gastrointestinal problems). The ideal is always to leave behind those brands that are too harsh or give us products that, frankly, aren’t good for our health. And yes, so you don’t suffer, you already know how to make it at home.
Source: guacamole.radioformula
