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SMART SHOPPING: Chili Powder

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To see what the difference was among the various brands of chili powder found at the market, we gathered up seven widely available brands and pitted them against one another in a taste-off. To focus on the flavor of the chili powders, we tasted them sprinkled over potatoes and cooked in beef-and-bean chili. Many included unusual ingredients, but our top picks stuck with classic flavorings: cumin, oregano, and garlic. We also liked the addition of paprika, which gave our top two picks a nice complexity. In the end, tasters concluded that Morton & Bassett Chili Powder was the clear winner. Tasters found that it had a deep, roasty, complex flavor; subtle sweetness; and just the right amount of heat.