r/Cooking•
betweentourns

A question about berbere

I love Ethiopian food but recently moved to a city without any Ethiopian restaurants. I've found a number of recipes for Misir Wot and both of the ones I've tried so far have been SO spicy. I'm wondering if different brands berbere have different levels of spiciness. Mine is from Penzeys. They don't sell berbere, but have '"Ethiopian Spice Blend" which they told me is the same thing.

I don't recall ever thinking the misir wot I had in restaurants was too spicy and the stuff I make has great flavor, but is too hot. Even when I cut back the berbere from 2T as called for to 1T.

Is it possible the Penzeys brand is spicier than others? Any recommendations for a brand to look for? I'd rather not make my own blend but maybe that is the only way.

Posted Mar 8, 2026, 1:09 PM UTC

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