Full flavour evident in pepper and chilli passion

Tricia and Alvin Watson of Orcona Chillies 'N Peppers amid the staples of their products. Photo / Paul Taylor

Chillis and peppers are a staple taste-stamping mark on many meals, and when you come across simple-sounding dishes like "shrimp with red peppers", "chicken and smoked paprika" and "stuffed jalapenos" you just know there is something very special in there.

The recipes for these tempting tastes are all part of the big picture for Pakowhai-based Orcona Chillis 'N Peppers which was set up in 2000 by Anne Prescott and Kevin Baker and purchased in 2014 by Alvin and Tricia Watson.

The Watsons are as passionate about chillies and peppers as Anne and Kevin were, and have maintained the high quality and standards.

The landscape they are settled upon is perfect for the growing of the very best .

The chillis are grown in 2500sq m of temperature controlled greenhouses at Pakowhai and there are a dozen different varieties now on the market for sale.

Orcona Chillis 'N Peppers are unique in that they are the only producers in this country of smoked paprika flakes and the passion for creating something superb is reflected in the way they go about it.

They are smoked in a special process which has aromatic qualities of its own - the result being something which has understandably become well-lauded.

They also produce 100 per cent pure chilli-based relishes, sauces and dried chilli products and everything is produced on site at their own commercial kitchen.

It's all about full flavour and quality, and that has been recognised not just nationally but even internationally.

The hot sauces, relishes, fresh and dried chillis are another colourful and very tasty part of the ingredients which make up the great Hawke's Bay foodscape.

Orcona Chillis 'N Peppers:

* Pakowhai Rd

* www.chilli.co.nz (check out the recipes on site)

* Phone: 873 5083