Gochugaru

Gochugaru is a type of Korean red chili pepper powder. UGA Extension: it gives kimchi its signature heat and vibrant red color ¹. It is a fruit of Capsicum, dried and milled, not Black pepper.

Do not invent Scoville numbers or a “one tablespoon equals cayenne” rule. If a formula specifies gochugaru for kimchi, that grind and cultivar are part of the paste. A generic red chili flake is a different heat and a different color.

What to notice. Brick-red, slightly sweet chili aroma, not acrid smoke unless the bag says smoked. In Kimchi it rides salt and Napa cabbage; it does not replace salt as the safety lever. Lacto-fermentation is still LAB on vegetable sugar.