Peri Peri vs Piri Piri: Are They the Same Thing?

Walk down any UK supermarket spice aisle and you'll see both 'peri peri' and 'piri piri' on the shelves. Are they actually different, or is one a marketing trick? Here's the honest answer.

They are the same thing. Both 'peri peri' and 'piri piri' come from the Swahili word 'pili pili', which simply means 'pepper pepper'. The double word emphasises the small but fiery African Bird's Eye chilli at the heart of the blend.

The two spellings are a result of Portuguese colonial history. Portuguese traders encountered the chilli in southern Africa in the 1500s and brought it back to Europe. Over centuries, the spelling drifted: Portuguese cookbooks tend to use 'piri piri', while South African and English-speaking sources adopted 'peri peri'. Nando's, founded in Johannesburg in 1987, popularised the 'peri peri' spelling in the UK.

Both refer to a seasoning built around African Bird's Eye chilli, smoked paprika, garlic, herbs (typically oregano and bay) and citrus. Heat varies by brand — traditional Mozambican versions are very hot, while UK-aimed blends like Norva's are medium-hot with more aromatic balance.

How to use peri peri (or piri piri) at home: rub on chicken before grilling, sprinkle over chips for proper Nando's-style fries, stir into mayonnaise for a quick dip, or shake over halloumi, prawns and roasted vegetables. For best results, marinate proteins for at least an hour, ideally overnight.

So the next time you see both spellings on the shelf, you'll know: same chilli, same blend, same heritage. Choose a blend with a clear ingredient list — like our Norva peri peri seasoning — and cook with confidence.