Q: Dave,In looking around for the best hot sauce, I have come across many of these sauces with Scoville ratings of 1,000,000 and even up to 16,000,000 (pure capsaicin). While I know these are food additives only, and I would never attempt to taste them on their own, what are the dangers to the body? And at what levels would …
Pepper/Salt/Vinegar Proportions
Q: Dave: Most hot sauces are made from pepper mash plus salt plus vinegar. But in what proportions? Do you always need to cook the pepper mash?Thanks, Daniel A: Daniel:The salt is already in the mash, and that’s what preserves it as it ferments. The mash can be cooked, but for Tabasco Sauce it is not; it is just mixed and …
Recipes for Arrivivi Gusano chiles?
Q: Dave,I bought some Arrivivi Gusano pepper plants this year and I got a huge crop (bought from the Chile Woman and boy did I get my money’s worth), but I have no clue as to what to cook or make from them. I could make some hot sauces, etc. (the usual) but I am looking for specific recipes for …
What is Pepper Mash?
Q: Hi Dave,What is pepper mash and how would it differ from using pure pepper powder or fresh pods? Your web site was very helpful in locating fresh peppers and mash, but I cannot find a supplier of habanero powder. Thanks. Dan A: Hello Dan:Mash is fresh chiles crushed in a hammer mill and mixed with up to 10 percent salt …
Regulations Against Home Kitchens
Q: Dear Dave,I have come up with my own recipe for habanero sauce and was wondering how to go about setting up to bottle it. My main question is, is it legal to produce my sauce and bottle it in my home kitchen? As a small industry wouldn’t I be exempt from certain regulations? All I really want to do …