mitchNC said:
So... When to cook sauce and when not to cook? What's the science?
Are you storing it/want it shelf stable ?
Are you sharing it with other people who may not know how to store/save it, and leave it un-refrigerated and just sittin' on the table like they see other sauces at restaurants ?
Do you want a product that will keep long term even with repeated variation in storing temperature without ever becoming a 'bottle bomb' ?
if yes to any of these, and probably several more important ?'s I should have added, as well.
Than
yes you want to; test pH, cook it,retest pH, keeping in mind that not all meters have temperature compensation, and you will want to 'hot-fill-hold' sterile bottles.
Or are you making small batches of sauce as the peppers are picked, that will get used up within just a few meals, and stored in the fridge ?
Then the final product will last in your fridge about as long as any other; refrigerate after opening product.
Provided you made sure pH is good and you used sterile; bottles, equipment, etc. (use your Nose and Eyes
'when in doubt throw it out')
Personally; I like Sugar Rush Peach, and Cream Sugar Rush so much, I munch on most of them while i'm out in the garden
it's one of the few peppers that i will just pick and eat while watering the rest of the plants.
Occasionally i'll get a "hot" one, but that's part of the Fun experience