Mitmita Ethiopian Spice

Mitmita is the fiery Ethiopian seasoning known for its vibrant orange-red colour and its heat. It is built on chili pepper, so the heat arrives first and stays, but behind it sit cardamom and clove, which give it an aromatic depth that plain chilli powder does not have.

The blend features chili pepper, cumin, coriander, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, ginger and garlic, a combination that delivers intense heat, warm depth and a lingering complexity.

How to use it

Mitmita is used for beef dishes such as kitfo, sprinkled over lentils, and added to soups and roasted vegetables. Start with half a teaspoon for four servings and build from there, since it is considerably hotter than most blends. The technique tip: with kitfo it is stirred into warmed spiced butter and folded through the minced beef off the heat, not cooked into it. Serving it in a small dish on the side is the usual practice, so each person seasons to their own tolerance.

The shaker jar

The jar option is packed in a clear 8 oz shaker jar made from lightweight, food-safe PET, so the colour and texture of the blend are visible at a glance. The flip-top cap opens to a three-hole sifter for an even sprinkle straight over the pan, the grill or the plate, and closes again with a simple press. A pressure-sensitive liner seals the jar until first use, and the fitted cap keeps the blend fresh between uses. When a recipe calls for a measured spoonful, simply unscrew the cap; the wide mouth takes a teaspoon with ease. Once empty, the jar is easy to refill with your next Ameen blend and makes a practical home for dried herbs, chilli flakes, sesame seeds or homemade rubs. Hand wash only.

Details

Also known as

Kitfo Spice, Ethiopian Chili Blend, ሚጥሚጣ (Mitmita)