Learn
Become a chili expert.
We're always on the hunt for the world's most delicious chilis. Here's the heritage, the heat, and the science behind every Don Chilio jar — written so you can hold your own at any table.
Two condiments, one obsession
Same love for chili. Two very different personalities.
Every jar starts with a question we ask ourselves: what makes this pepper special — and how do we let it shine?
That hunt shows up in three places: how we source, how we slow-infuse with 100% olive oil, and how we balance heat with flavor instead of just stacking Scoville.
Heat Scale
Our Heat Scale
Five rungs. Pick where your palate lives.
Heat levels are our own ratings, balanced for flavor — not just Scoville.
The Difference
Same love for chili. Two very different personalities.
Same love for chili — two very different personalities. Here's how each earns its place on your plate.
Salsa Macha
- Rooted in Mexican tradition, made our way
- Built on dried chilis and seeds
- A better-for-you choice — 100% olive oil, clean ingredients, no preservatives
- Silkier, more oil-forward texture
- Smoky, earthy, sometimes sweet
- Drizzle it, cook with it, dress your salad, finish your pasta — no rules
Chili Crisp
- Known in Mexico as chicharrón de chile
- Built on fresh chili peppers, flash fried in 100% olive oil
- Crunchy bits suspended in flavor-packed oil
- Bold, layered heat
- A better-for-you choice — 100% olive oil, clean ingredients, no preservatives
- Spoon it, top it, cook with it — eggs to ice cream, tacos to ramen
Our Story
How Don Chilio Began
A family recipe, a hot idea, and the road from a Mexico City kitchen table to your pantry.
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2017
Founded in Mexico City
Born around the family table in Mexico City. Brothers Diego & Mauricio De La Torre — chili heads since childhood — turn their grandfather's chili-crisp recipe into Don Chilio.
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2018
100% Olive Oil, No Shortcuts
We commit to slow-infusing every jar in 100% olive oil and real Mexican chiles — the way it was always made at home.
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2020
The Line Grows
Fresh-chili crisps and traditional salsa machas join the family, spanning heat level 1 through 5 so there's a jar for every palate.
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Today
At Your Table
From our family to yours — still made the way our grandfather taught us, one small batch at a time.
Good to know
Common questions
What is salsa macha?
Salsa macha is a traditional Mexican chili oil, made by slow-infusing dried chilis, nuts and seeds in oil. It's silkier and smokier than chili crisp.
What's the difference between salsa macha and chili crisp?
Salsa macha is smoother and oil-forward, made from dried chilis and seeds. Chili crisp is crunchier, made from fresh chilis flash fried in oil. Don Chilio makes both — all in 100% olive oil.
How spicy is Don Chilio?
Our line spans heat level 1 (Jalapeño) through heat level 5 (Habanero). Take our heat quiz to find your match.
Are Don Chilio products gluten free?
Yes — every salsa macha and chili crisp is gluten free, non-GMO, and made with 100% olive oil.
Ready when you are
Ready to pick your heat?
Take the 60-second quiz, or jump straight to the line.