Japan isn’t commonly known for its hot sauces. Instead, the Japanese prefer to use chili oils. These oils aren’t always as thick as hot sauces, and it means they’re better used as dipping condiments or mixed into Japanese dishes to add a kick. Rayu is a popular chili oil that originates from Japan. It’s created from chili peppers and vegetable oil and is used as a dipping sauce for gyoza. History of Japanese Hot Sauce Even though rayu is a Japanese chili oil, it has roots going back to Chinese history. The Japanese took inspiration from Chinese chili oils such as Sichuan to create their own ve ..read more

Gochujang is Korea’s most popular hot sauce. It’s also known as a red chili paste and is very spicy and concentrated in flavor. It’s commonly used as a marinade for meats, added to stews and soups or served as a condiment. Popular brands of this hot sauce include Sempio, Chung Jung One and Wang Korea. History of Korean Hot Sauce Hot sauce first originated in Mexico 9000 years ago. The Aztecs created a paste out of chili peppers and water to add a spicy kick to their food. It was also used for medicinal purposes thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Since then, and thanks to the likes of ..read more

There are many types of Chinese hot sauce, coming in a range of pastes, oils and heat levels. Popular Chinese hot sauces include Lao Gan Ma and Sichuan chili oil. With both sauces being versatile oils, they can be poured over dishes to add a kick or even used as a dipping sauce to give any food some extra flavor. Chinese cuisine has become a phenomenon across the globe. It has takeaways and restaurants found in most towns and popular dishes stocked across grocery stores. With more and more people eating this cuisine, it means their hot sauces are becoming a popular accompaniment. History of Ch ..read more

You can’t appreciate stateside hot sauce without acknowledging the essential contributions of the state of Louisiana to the hot sauce galaxy.  Some even argue that Louisiana was where hot sauce originated in the U.S. because of its hot, humid climate—perfect for growing chilis—and its unique blend of Spanish, French, and African cultures.  Before getting into our favorite Louisiana hot sauces, let’s explore the Bayou State’s central role in the history of United States hot sauce. A History of Louisiana-Made Hot Sauce Although there were expressions of hot sauce in Massachusetts in th ..read more

When it comes to hot sauce, Thailand has many to choose from, with the most popular being Sriracha. The country has been able to tailor the original hot sauce recipe of chilis, salt and vinegar to suit their needs. In some cases, this has meant adding additional spices, or even giving their hot sauces a sweeter taste. When you think of spicy foods, it’s common to instantly think of Asian cuisine, especially Thai. With so many of their dishes eaten worldwide, the popularity of Thai hot sauce will only keep increasing. History of Asian Hot Sauce Hot sauce first took Asia by storm in 1542. This w ..read more

PHOTO: PEPPER GEEK Da’Bomb is a hot sauce most popularized by its undying reign as one of the spiciest sauces on YouTube’s cherished interview series Hot Ones.  This is the hot sauce that makes celebrities the likes of Queen Latifah, Post Malone, and Bear Grylls shriek, sweat, sing, and cry.  We’ve set out to provide an honest review of this hot sauce. Is it as violently spicy as folks say? What does it taste like? And what’s the origin story behind this blazer, anyway? The Hot Sauce Everyone Loves to Hate PHOTO: THE PITCH Da’Bomb is a hot sauce produced by Spicin Foods in Kansas C ..read more

When TRUFF hot sauce hit the hot sauce scene in 2017, it was an immediate success.  Perhaps the brand reaped such immediate fame because the brand’s founders, Nick Guillen and Nick Ajluni, were running a highly successful Instagram page all about sauce at the time of TRUFF’s release.  Perhaps TRUFF is delicious enough to garner a cult following right off the bat, all on its own.  We sought to assess this ultra-trendy, celebrity-endorsed, truffle-laden condiment for ourselves to answer the burgeoning question: Is TRUFF worth the hype?  Here’s what we found.  What Is Thi ..read more

Commonly known as pepper sauce, Caribbean hot sauce is made from peppers, salt, vinegar and mustard. With chili peppers originating from Mexico, they soon found their way to the Caribbean and became a popular condiment on the islands. The versatility of Caribbean hot sauce has meant that it’s become a staple food in most households. This has allowed it to have a huge impact on Caribbean cuisine as it can spice up classic curries, stews and meats to add flavor to all dishes. History of Caribbean Hot Sauce The invention of hot sauce started in Mexico in 7000 BC when Aztecs fancied a kick to thei ..read more

Tapatío makes everything better. From tamales and tacos to potato chips and—yes—instant ramen, we trust in Tapatío to elevate each bland meal to hot and tangy brilliance.  If you’re a number one Tapatío fan, you’ll be surprised to learn about this sauce’s family-oriented origins and seasoned history.  PHOTO: RANDY LEWIS CREATIVE The History Of Tapatío Tapatío Hot Sauce was founded in 1971 by Jose-Luis Saavedra in Maywood, California.  A Hot Sauce’s Humble Beginnings According to Tapatío’s website, Jose-Luis Saavedra began making batches of hot sauce with his family at their hom ..read more

Some of us don’t like our food too hot and spicy. We prefer flavor over spice. For many people, food with too much spice can take the flavor away. With food being too hot, it can be hard to concentrate on anything but the heat. This is where mild hot sauces can play a huge role in adding flavor to your food. The best mild hot sauce will give your food enough of a kick without ruining the flavor. If you love both extremes, then you may be wondering how to make your hot sauce more mild, so you don’t have to buy two separate bottles. THE BEST MILD HOT SAUCES Hot Ones Hot Sauce, Buffalo Hot Sauce ..read more