Matt Bray 
If you ever wanted to taste what a “sunny” day feels like if that sun were actually a ball of molten Caribbean spice, you’ve found it. High River Sauce’s Tears of the Sun Hot Sauce is a fascinating study in expectations versus reality. At first …
The title of “hottest pepper in the world” is something that’s challenged more often than you may expect. Every year hot pepper cultivators find new ways to hybridize chilies and utilize their environment (soil, water, sunlight) to create peppers that will compete for the top …
This spicy Chinese BBQ sauce brings together the best of two flavor worlds. Classic Asian pantry staples like soy sauce, fish sauce, and Chinese five-spice powder form a deeply savory and aromatic base, while chipotle in adobo adds smoky heat and richness. The result is …
Crushed red pepper, also known as red pepper flakes, is far more than a pizza-night afterthought. It is one of the most versatile heat boosters in the kitchen, capable of adding a quick spark to nearly any savory dish. While store-bought flakes are convenient, making …
Gochujang is one of the cornerstone ingredients of Korean cooking, prized for its deep savory flavor and gentle, lingering heat. Sambal oelek, a traditional chili paste from Indonesia and Malaysia, has become widely popular outside Southeast Asia as a fresher, brighter, and spicier alternative to …
Bhut Jolokia, better known as the ghost pepper, sits in a rare category of chilies where heat management becomes just as important as cooking technique. Once difficult to find outside of specialty markets, ghost peppers are now increasingly available at grocery stores like Whole Foods …
Do you have a recipe that calls for Old Bay seasoning and none in the house? Or maybe you enjoy seafood and fries, but Old Bay’s distinctive flavor just is not your thing. Either way, there are several effective substitutes depending on how closely you …
Paprika is one of the most recognizable spices in the pantry, valued as much for its vivid red color as for its gentle, pepper-forward flavor. It appears everywhere, from classic deviled eggs and potato salads to stews, soups, rubs, and sauces. Yet despite its ubiquity, …
Have a bumper crop of jalapeños? Or do you just happen to have more than the norm in your kitchen? There are plenty of smart and flavorful ways to use these delicious medium heat chilies. What to do with a lot of jalapeños often comes …
As Mexican and Tex-Mex cooking continues to grow in popularity, more recipes are calling for chipotle paste. This thick, smoky condiment delivers deep chili pepper flavor with moderate heat and an unmistakable barbecue-style smokiness. But chipotle paste is not always easy to find. Some grocery …