Hot Sauce Separates as it Sits

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Q:  Dear Dave,I made some hot sauces off of your basic Homemade Tabasco Style Sauce recipe and they came out very good. I do have one problem though. As the sauce sits, it separates on the top. Does this mean I should use less vinegar when I’m preparing it, or should I consider something else?  Also, I’ve heard that it’s …

Uses for Essential Habanero Hot Sauce

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Q:  Dear Dave,My husband and I had so many habaneros that we decided to make your Essential Habanero Hot Sauce.  It looks and smells great. Now what do we use it on or in?  What is it good with?–Jeni  A:  Hello Jeni:It is particularly good on any kind of seafood, particularly grilled fish and shrimp.  I use it in tomato …

Tips: New Hot Sauce Business

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Q:  Dave,I have become a recent victim of corporate cutbacks. I feel this is a good time in my life to pursue my passion for hot sauces and attempt making, bottling and marketing my own concoction of bottled heat (and taste). Any advice you can provide to help in my pursuit of the hot sauce business would be much appreciated.Thank …

Fresh vs. Frozen & Hot Sauce Shelf Life

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Q:  Hello Dave,Will a frozen supply of peppers work as well as fresh (my freezer is overflowing with peppers from last summer and this summer’s bounty), and what is the average shelf life in the fridge for hot sauce?  Is there an average for vinegar / ketchup based sauces?  Thanks so much!–Alicia  A:  Hello Alicia:Yes, frozen works as well as …

Hot Sauce: pH and pH Meters

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Q:  Hi Dave,I’m working on making a hot sauce. I’m in the final process and it is a hit with friends and family.  But now I need to learn more about preservation.  I know the pH level needs to be low, but how low?  I also need to know where I can find a good pH meter.  My sauce as …