Yeah, yeah, you love Secret Aardvark. We know. But there's
a whole grocery shelf of locally made hot sauces out there just waiting
to burn your face off. We put five to a blind taste test using crackers
and cukes.
Thai and True Sarachee Hot Sauce 9 ounces
âItâs not very hot, but itâs sweet and really good.â
âI would eat this on just about anything.â
âItâs like someone combined sriracha and some of that Thai chicken sauce and combined them.â
Use it on: Hot wings, rice, noodles.
9 ounces
âWatery, watery, watery.â
âA whole lotta clove. Itâs really off-putting.â
âIt tastes like chai. I feel like Iâm in Townshendâs tea shop right now.â
Use it on: You got us.
7 ounces
âWay too vinegary for my tastes.â
âItâs super smoky.â
âItâs a real back-of-the-throat burn.â
Use it on: Eggs, pulled pork.
5 ounces
âI want to know if thatâs artificial color, itâs an amazing color.â
âItâs good, kinda sweet.â
âThis would be a great cocktail hot
sauce, or if youâre just looking for something to keep on your table
because youâre a capsaicin addict.â
Use it on: Bloody Marys.
Secret Aardvark Habanero Hot Sauce 10.5 ounces
âThick!â
âI think this has a depth of flavor the others donât.â
âMy face hurts.â
Use it on: Pizza.
Best: The overall favorite was
Thai and True. Though not exactly a traditional hot sauce, most agreed
they would happily use it in place of one. For a more everyday
condiment, Portland Pepper Sauce also had some strong supporters.
Hottest: Flameboy.
Best bottle: Flameboy's hip-flask shape and retro
label was a standout, with all agreeing it was the sauce they would most
likely give as a gift for that reason. For practicality, the squeeze
bottles and thin spouts of Thai and True and Secret Aardvark came up
trump.
WWeek 2015