One of the finds at this years Fiery Foods Show, Green Bandit has carved out a specific niche in the hot sauce world - herb centric hot sauces. Jim previously reviewed the Cilantro Habanero Hot Sauce but I thought I’d take a minute to enlighten folks about a sauce that has not yet been reviewed here on the HSB: Green Bandit’s Basil Serrano Hot Sauce.

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Basil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Serrano Peppers, Habanero Peppers, Salt, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Ginger, Olive Oil, Garlic Powder, Xanthan Gum

If you don’t like Basil, then please don’t try this sauce, you won’t like it. Look at the ingredient list - Basil is #2. This sauce is all about the Basil followed by the heat of the serranos and habaneros. However, if your a basil fanatic like myself, or appreciate it in moderation, then this sauce is going to be right up your alley.

Label: People ask how my dad earned the name “Raging Abe.” He aquired it the day I stole his Basil/Serrano Hot sauce recipe. Can I come home now Dad? Be Creative and try this on everything.

Taste & Heat: All basil, all the time. All I can taste in this sauce is the basil and little citrus (probably the lemon juice). I love using this sauce on Italian food. Like the meatball sub pictured above, this basil based hot sauce makes the prefect dip - adds flavor and just a bit of heat. Again I would rate the heat level of this one a 5 (comfortably medium) out of 10.

I recommend trying this sauce out on your next Italian dish, be it pizza or pasta, give it a whirl and you’ll find your tastebuds will be taken on a culinary adventure with just the right amount of heat.

Conclusion: This sauce now has a permanent slot in my fridge just for the Italian dinner nights. It’s a true SAS (specific application sauce) but you could expand upon that if your feeling adventurous. Basil is the number one flavor, back with the heat of the peppers. The citrus is an afterthought on the palette. I guarantee you, if you’ve never tried Green Bandit sauces in the past, you’ve never tried a true herb-centric sauce.