Explore Our Favourite Types of Hot Sauces

Eating spicy foods triggers a number of physiological changes in us. Our breathing quickens, our heart rate rises, and our adrenaline starts to flow. Spicy food wakes us up and sharpens our senses. Let’s discover the different types of hot sauces from different areas of the world.

What is a Hot Sauce?

A hot sauce is made of different regional ingredients and includes one or more varieties of peppers containing capsaicin. Capsaicin is the chemical in chilli pepper that imparts heat and spiciness. It serves the pepper plant in two ways. The first way is that it protects the plant from different types of fungi and bacteria by making the plant an inhospitable host.
The second way is by ensuring a wider dispersal of the chilli plant’s seeds. Birds aren’t affected by the heat of a chilli plant, whereas mammals are affected and tend to avoid eating the plant, leaving more of a food source for birds. The birds cover a wider area of the native surroundings and help achieve a wider dispersal of the seeds, thus helping the plant species to survive.
Humans have developed a taste for capsaicin, which has led to a worldwide passion for heat that makes mealtimes infinitely more tasty and enjoyable.

What Makes Hot Sauces Different from Each Other?

Although hot chilli peppers are believed to have originated in Central and South America and were first cultivated by people in Mexico, they’ve been adopted by many cultures around the world. Many varieties of peppers have evolved in different regions, and with the addition of regional spices, seeds, fruits and herbs, the sauces take on the character of the cuisine they originated from. The different types of hot sauces are often made unique to a region or country by the inclusion of these unique ingredients.

Popular Types of Hot Sauces

Let’s take a look at some of the world’s most popular types of hot sauces, including:

Tabasco Sauce (USA)

Tabasco sauce is actually a brand and not a type of sauce. The sauce contains cayenne and green or red jalapeno peppers and a high vinegar content. The style is called Cajun or Louisianna-style and was first developed in the southern Mississippi delta areas of the US as an accompaniment for oysters and seafood. Tabasco Sauce was one of the first hot sauces to be marketed in Europe as well as throughout the US.

Salsa Picante Hot Sauce (Mexico)

“Salsa Picante” simply means spicy sauce in Spanish. For Mexican food lovers, it’s a must-have addition to every Mexican meal. The sauce uses a base of tomatoes and adds chilli peppers and other spices. Onions and lime juice are also common additions. Salsa Picante sauces can range from mild to fiery hot.

Harissa Chilli Paste (North Africa)

Harissa is commonly sold as a thick, aromatic and spicy paste. It comes from the northern African Maghreb countries of Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia. It’s made from roasted red peppers, including Baklouti peppers, garlic, and a variety of herbs, seeds, and spices of the region.

Peri-Peri Sauce (Portugal/Africa)

This popular sauce, often spelt “piri-piri,” has attracted worldwide attention as an equally spicy and tangy accompaniment to grilled, barbecued, or fried chicken. It’s made with piri-piri peppers, spices, and lemon juice. Creative chefs also add it to stews, pasta, and rice dishes.

Gochujang Hot Sauce (Korea)

Gochujang hot sauce has become a staple of Korean cuisine and is used in a variety of sauces and broths. It’s made from fermented chilli peppers and soybean paste and is extremely mild and sweet-tasting. The fermentation adds a unique flavour profile that sets it apart from other hot sauces.

Sambal Oelek (Indonesia)

Sambal Oelek is a coarsely ground and seasoned pepper paste that is equally tangy and spicy. The sauce can also include ingredients like shrimp paste, shallots, garlic, ginger, palm sugar, and lime juice. It’s traditionally made with a pestle and mortar, which gives the sauce its unique texture.

Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauces (Caribbean)

Scotch bonnet peppers are the signature ingredient of several varieties of hot sauces in Jamaica and the Caribbean Islands. These different kinds of hot sauces also contain tropical fruit or fruit juices, allspice, nutmeg and soy sauce to add unique touches to the flavour profiles. They are commonly served with Jamaican Jerk chicken, one of the most popular dishes in the region.

Sriracha Hot Chilli Sauce (Thailand)

Sriracha hot sauce has taken the world by storm and has become the top-selling hot sauce in many countries. The sauce is composed of chillis, sugar, salt, garlic and distilled vinegar. The use of Thai peppers is the secret behind Sriracha sauce’s popularity and bright, bold flavours.

Introducing Flying Goose Sriracha Sauce

Flying Goose Sriracha sauce is made in Thailand using locally grown fresh and ripe chillies. This results in an authentic sauce that’s more intensely flavoured than many products sold as Sriracha sauces.
We offer a range of authentic Flying Goose Sriracha sauces, including smoky, mild & sweet, extra garlic and wasabi. We also offer two types of Sriracha mayos to liven up any salad or sandwich. All of our Sriracha sauces are vegan and gluten-free.
Discover our diverse range of Sriracha sauces and products.