So I may have been living under a rock when it comes to large international manufacturers of sauce, but blow me down, Heinz make hot sauce now?! If you’re like me, and you would much rather pick up something local at the farm shop, or at the latest chilli event than consider the possibility that a multi-million pound company that is know for creating beans and ketchup has created something different, you’ll understand my shock! I know they have branched out with some other types of ketchup, and adding chilli to beans, but this is something quite unusual for me to comprehend, Heinz Hot Sauce – Green Jalapeno.
Ingredients:
Spirit Vinegar, Jalapeno Chilli (13%), Chilli, Sugar, Peppers, Onion, Garlic, Salt, Herb and Spice Extracts, Spinach Extract, Thickener – Xanthan Gum.
This beautiful mid green sauce has a thin consistency with plenty of pulp and seed bits in it. Sadly I opened the bottle to the acrid plastic ‘new lid’ smell, so I had to pour it out onto a plate to get an accurate sniff.
First impression is pickled onions. Not surprising really as the first ingredient is spirit vinegar. The taste sadly also reflects this. It is very tart, almost too sour (made my eyes water, and reminded me of when I drank a cup of vinegar just to prove I could). I get the occasional hint of garlic, and there is a little heat that is carried with the vinegar all over the mouth to get a little tingle, but unfortunately as far as taste goes, I can’t taste any peppers, any of the fresh Jalapeno tang, or make out any particular herb or spice. Just strong vinegar with a hint of garlic.
I would use this in place of vinegar on chips, in a sweet and sour recipe, maybe on a pizza or pasta dish. If you’re looking for a green, slightly garlic-y vinegar with a slight tickle then this is for you!
I have located it in some Tesco supermarkets priced at £1.49 per 150ml bottle. Perhaps the other larger supermarkets may also stock it.
| Flavour | *~~~~~~~~~ |
| Heat | **~~~~~~~~ |
| Packaging | ******~~~~ |
| Value | *****~~~~~ |
| Overall | ***~~~~~~~ |