 Some Like it HOT!
There is an unspoken vow amongst Americans to find and conquer the hottest, most hellish chemical known to the culinary world: Capsaicin. This is the chemical that makes peppers hot and is the flavor foundation around which hot sauces must swivel to create compellingly tasty, yet respectfully spicy, recipe. And, for the cult of hot sauce fanatics that seek this taste bud tweaking, tongue-frying, eye-watering devil condiment, we have a few recommendations that just might make you cry for mercy:
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MELINDA’S ORIGINAL HABANERO PEPPER HOT SAUCE
Glass bottle (5 oz), $2.99
The Habanero is the hottest chile pepper in the world, measuring between 200,000 and 300,000 Scoville Units (the hottest jalapeno measures only 5000 S.U.) Pepper connoisseurs the world over consider it to be the finest variety known to man. Using only the highest quality ingredients, Melinda’s blends fresh carrots, onions, garlic, and a hint of lime juice with the Habanero. The result is a pepper sauce that harmonizes heat and flavor without the overpowering pungency found in traditional vinegar-based hot sauces. Melinda’s vegetable base allows you to spice your food without drowning out the original flavor.
DA’ BOMB GROUND ZERO
Bottle (4 oz), $9.99
Having been featured on Food Network’s Roker on the Road, Da’ Bomb Ground Zero has a whimsical ingredient list that incorporates pineapple juice, habaneros, tomato paste, lemon, lime and secret spices. It is one sensationally hot sauce! Measuring at 234.000 Scoville units, it takes the toothpick test seriously: not many can handle more than toothpick’s worth. All humor aside, this sauce targets your tongue for a wicked ride that will literally bomb your taste buds.
TUONG OT SRIRACHA HOT CHILI SAUCE
Bottle (17 oz), $5.99
Sometimes referred to as the Red Rooster sauce, the contents of this sauce’s large plastic squeeze bottle has a cult following. It is a superb sauce made from sun ripened chilies and garlic that has become synonymous with the famous tastes of Vietnam. Use it to add a delicious, spicy taste to soups, sauces, pasta, pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, chow mein, or mix it 50-50 with tomato ketchup for a great dipping sauce.
PURE CAP HOT SAUCE
Eye-dropper bottle (59 ml), $10.49
Pure Cap comes in an over-sized prescription container with a small, 2 ounce inner bottle that dispenses through an eye-dropper. Perhaps it’s a slight cheat to put this on a list of gourmet hot sauces. Why? Well, besides registering at 500,000 Scoville Units, it’s only ingredients are vegetable oil and capsaicin. Capsaicin is the chemical extraction that makes peppers hot making PURE CAP’s ingredients the perfect liquid fire. If your goal is to add heat to a recipe without adding the flavor of hot sauce, this is the prescription for you! But be warned: use ONLY as a cooking additive, and keep away from children and pets. Pure Cap has the skull and cross bones on it’s label for a reason! |
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DAVE’S GOURMET TOTAL INSANITY SAUCE
Glass bottle (5 oz), $4.69
Winner of the National Fiery Foods Challenge and featured on the Food Network, this is a tasty hot sauce that can go right on your plate (but at 48,000 Scoville units - add it one drop at a time). It is accentuated with an overwhelming kick of garlic and refreshing squeeze of lime. Add Dave’s Total Insanity Sauce with care to soups, sauces and side dishes, and kick-up the everyday spicy tuna roll. Unlike other hot sauces that are meant to be a cooking ingredient, Dave’s Total Insanity Sauce can go right on your food. Heed the warning, however: ‘Use this product one drop at a time. Keep away from eyes, pets and children. Not for people with heart/respiratory problems.’
CHOLULA MEXICAN HOT SAUCE
Glass bottle (2 oz), $2.25
Cholula Hot Sauce is the fastest-growing premium Mexican hot sauce in the U.S. market. Made for three generations by the same family in Jalisco , Mexico . Cholula is made from a special blend of red peppers, piquin peppers, salt and spices which give a unique flavor and aroma unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. This simple recipe - when brought together and aged with the greatest care and attention - produces the incredibly pungent, fiery hot sauce that has become beloved the world over. Its intriguing packaging and patented wooden cap has become a quality icon, a status symbol recognized by millions. Cholula is a seasoning, an ingredient, a condiment and a sauce. This unique profile makes it the perfect complement to a wide range of foods and a perfect addition to the kitchen table to easily dash it on eggs, salads, soups, meats, salads, drinks like Bloody Mary’s, and in sauces or sandwiches and pizza. Any way you please, you’ll get a burst of flavor that’s sure to spice up your life.
CLANCY’S FANCY HOT SAUCE
Bottle (3.75 oz), $5.99
From Ann Arbor, MI, Clancy’s Fancy was developed by Colleen Clancy as a mixture she would give to friends for their culinary delight. In 1979, the sauce was officially produced for the public and has grown into a hometown favorite. It’s entire preparation is hands-on and only uses the freshest, natural ingredients. Combining Michigan apple cider vinegar, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, Michigan wildflower honey, Hawaiian ginger, paprika, and cayenne peppers, it’s one of the few hot sauces in the world that remains uncooked. This allows the ingredients to mingle inside the bottle to create well-balanced sauce of fire and flavor.
Joan Olkowski
Note:
Products and prices subject to change and may be limited to availability.
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