• This is the place to discuss all spicy commerical products, not just sauce!

review Official Review: Tabañero Hot Sauce Picante

Product Name: Tabañero Hot Sauce Picante

Style: Mexican

Manufacturer: Tabañero Hot Sauce

Country of Origin: USA

Website: http://www.tabanero.com/

Ingredients: Select Habanero Peppers, Carrots, Onions, Key Lime Juice, Agave, Garlic, Salt, and Grapefruit Seed Extract

Label/Packaging: The label is a clear one which is kinda cool so you can see the contests of the bottle. It is also a large 8 oz size which I am always a fan of.

Appearance/Aroma: The sauce appears to be very thin and runny leading to its inevitable comparison to Tabasco. Hmmm... the smell of peppers, onions, and garlic. I cannot tell for sure if it is fermented or not.

Tabañero says it is the best.  Let's see if it is as flavorful and zesty as it claims, or if it is just another Tabasco clone.

Body of Review:
First of all this IS NOT Tabasco Brand sauce.  It is made in Tabasco Mexico and has no affiliation with the Louisiana Tabasco sauce.  When looking at the bottle and the consistency though I can't help but think it sure looks like it.  The Tabañero team went to Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula in search of the finest ingredients that the region had to offer.  Before they could begin production in 2007, there was a flood that wiped out all of their crops.  They helped flood victims during the recovery and eventually brought their sauce to market.  
 
Upon tasting a spoonful of Tabañero, I am immediately taken with it.  There is no vinegar whatsoever (the Tabañero team does not like vinegar).  Instead you are greeted with a blend of flavors from the vegetables, the agave, and the Key lime juice provides the tang. Key limes have a different more intense flavor than regular limes which really makes the sauce pop.   It is also accented with the flavor of garlic.  I don't really get the grapefruit seed extract until the aftertaste.  I am assuming this must be used for the flavor and also to help with pH.
 
The consistency is exactly as it appears in the bottle. It is runny and very thin.  I don't get much of any spices or bits of chile or vegetables. It is extremely smooth and actually has a bit of a silky finish.
 
The heat is very fleeting.  As I type this, I have had four spoonfuls.  I am not sweating.  Each time I eat a spoonful I get a little tinge of heat on my tongue and throat for maybe thirty seconds, but it does not hang around.  For the public this would be a nice hot sauce, but for a chilihead, it is lacking in heat.

Heat Level: 3

Applications: Obviously Mexican food, but looking on their website, there are many good ideas including margaritas, ceviche, salad dressings, oysters, etc.

Appearance Score: 4
Aroma Score: 4.5
Taste Score: 4.5
Mouthfeel Score: 4
Heat Accuracy Score: 3.5

Overall Score: 4.1

Notes: Very good and flavorful sauce. Not a lot of heat, but a very versatile sauce that will get used often. Nice sauce.
 

Attachments

  • 1.jpg
    1.jpg
    130.1 KB · Views: 91
  • 2.jpg
    2.jpg
    54.1 KB · Views: 72
Excellent sauce.
I first tried this in a small breakfast joint while visiting my girlfriends sister in Punta Gorda, Florida. I had to buy a couple of bottles to take back home!
To me its quite a savory sauce, rather than a sweet or fruity hot sauce. And since it's so mild it can be put on anything.
Nice review for a lovely wee sauce.
 
They are finally starting to get a name for themselves. I remember when they first started, very small Florida company, over 10 years ago. Glad they are still at it and going strong! Seen them around a lot more.
 
Back
Top