Twas Writ: >Thanks to all the kind answers to my request for info about habanero flakes >and to Doug for his answer...Surprised I didn't hear from Rael. Hmmm...I was suprised as well <g>. Actually, I sent some private email to a CHer who asked a question about grinding chiles in general which sorta made reference to "flakes" and "powdered" and thus, I suppose my mind said: hey, you spoke on this already. Oh well. In short, I keep all my chiles dehydrated other than the fresh ones which obviously, go quickly. Whole and dehydrated in the freezer and the same in the cupboards. When I need them "chopped" or whatever, I just cut them up for the purposed desired. I have some ground chiles of varying grinds but they were processed, i.e. bought/sent to me in that state. I suppose the way I grind my chiles depends upon the volume I need. If I'm making a single meal - say, my quick-fix of ramen noodles and chile - I simply chop one + up; sometimes just throw 'em in whole; same goes for stir-frys, etc. If I'm making jambalaya or red beans, for examples, I don't - can't, really - make a single order (batch...whatever..); gotta make a butt-load. Hence, I'll grind up XXX amount o' chiles and go with that. In short short: I usu. cut/grind chiles as I need them. And I really don't know if there'd be much difference in having my chiles ground or "flaked". I add da heat until I get it right regardless of the "shape". There ya go... =8^) Peace, Hendrix, and Chiles....... Rael rael64@earthlink.net Redneck Sous Chef Monk of the TCS Order of Immaculate Twister Keeper of the Faith and a Towel...