‘It’s more exciting than ketchup!’ How chilli crisp became the hottest condiment

TL;DR

Lao Gan Ma's chilli crisp, a popular Chinese condiment, is a significant commercial success and a social media phenomenon.
Chilli crisp, distinct from chilli oil, is created by pouring hot oil over a mix of chilli flakes and other ingredients, resulting in a crunchy texture and complex flavor.
The growing demand for authentic flavors, amplified by social media, has led to a surge in independent chilli crisp producers in the UK.
These producers, often drawing on their diaspora heritage, are creating unique versions with ingredients like fermented soya bean paste, Sichuan pepper, chicken skin, and bagoong.
Chilli crisp is highly versatile, complementing a wide range of dishes from savory meals to desserts, and the British palate is becoming increasingly adventurous with spice.
The production of chilli crisp, even on a large scale, presents manufacturing challenges, requiring specialized equipment.
Making chilli crisp at home is presented as a relatively simple and rewarding process.

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