The Most Expensive Chile In Mexico Comes From One Small Region

Cook

Ingredients

The Most Expensive Chile In Mexico Comes From One Small Region By Laura Christine Allan Oct. 5, 2025 11:20 am EST

If you're in a Mexican market or bodega, and you happen to see a small, black dried pepper for sale called chilhuacle negro, check its price tag. If it costs under $100 per pound, you might consider buying some, because that's one seriously good deal. Mexican-grown dried chilhuacle chiles are often priced at over $200 per pound, though you can find solid discounts if you buy in bulk. You may think this is a pretty steep price, and you'd be right. Chilhuacle is currently the most expensive chile in Mexico and is, in fact, one of the most expensive spices in the world .

This pepper is used in traditional Oaxacan cooking, including a dish called mo