This hue is inspired by the warm, brick-red spice blend known as chili powder, a staple of kitchens and markets worldwide. Its color comes from ground dried peppers rich in carotenoids like capsanthin and capsorubin, pigments that produce deep red-orange tones when concentrated. While pure chili powders are made from a single pepper variety, the common blend—first developed by German immigrant William Gebhardt in Texas in the 1890s—mixes ground chilies (traditionally ancho peppers) with cumin, garlic, and oregano for flavor and depth. Gebhardt’s innovation in 1894 transformed chili from a seasonal dish into a year-round staple, and by 1896 his commercial blend helped popularize Tex-Mex cuisine across America. The resulting shade reflects both heat and earthiness, embodying the fiery warmth of spice tempered by the rustic tones of ground herbs. It’s a color that feels as alive as the flavor it represents—bold, aromatic, and unmistakably red.