Botanas Mexico Chile California is a two-pack of 16-ounce bags of whole dried California chili pods, sourced from Mexico. Chile California — also known as the dried Anaheim pepper or Chile Seco — is a dark burgundy, gently wrinkled dried chili measuring five to seven inches long with a mild heat level, making it the most approachable of the traditional dried chile varieties.

These whole dried pods deliver an earthy, smoky, and slightly sweet flavor with faint fruity undertones and very little fire. They are a foundational ingredient in traditional Mexican cooking, used to prepare authentic red chile sauces, enchiladas, tamales, mole, menudo, pozole, and soups. At Costco's bulk two-pack size, this is an excellent value for home cooks and professional kitchens alike.

To prepare, toast the pods briefly in a dry skillet to deepen their flavor, then soak in hot water for 15 to 30 minutes to rehydrate. Once softened, blend into smooth sauces, use as a stuffing base, or add whole to slow-cooked stews and braises. Removing the dried seeds before blending produces a milder, cleaner result.