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Those who love Korean cuisine probably already know this next backup. Gochugaru powder is better known in the US as ground Korean chili powder. This famous Asian condiment is loved for its sweet and spicy taste with a subtle smoky note, making it a nice paprika alternative. It’s also prized for its color which adds a bright red hue to dishes like tteokbokki (Korean spicy rice cake) and yukgaejang (spicy beef soup).

Curcumin is a bioactive compound found in turmeric, a popular spice commonly used in Indian cuisine. It is known for its vibrant yellow color and distinct earthy flavor, but what many people don't realize is that curcumin is also a potent health supplement with a wide range of benefits.

In addition to sourcing high-quality paprika peppers, it is important to work with suppliers who use safe and effective solvents for extracting the pigments and essential oils from the peppers. Ethanol and acetone are commonly used solvents in the extraction process, and suppliers should ensure that the solvents are properly distilled and purified to meet food safety standards.

This sauce is hot and sweet, making it a very versatile dipping sauce. You can serve it with finger foods or douse your crispy noodles in it. While it’s mainly used as a dipping sauce, I also use it in stir-fries to add that perfect sweet, salty, spicy flavour.