http://cajohns.com
Before everyone ran off to ZestFest in Texas last week, I placed an order with CaJohn for some of his new Trinidad scorpion products. I bought some scorpion seeds last year but it was too late in the season to start them. These products would be my first experience with the newest "World's Hottest Pepper". I anxiously waited for the package which, as usual, arrived just a few days after placing the order. I've had several of CaJohn's products in the past, as reviewed on here, so I knew I was in for some pain. In the box was the Trinidad salsa, hot sauce and puree.
It was fairly cold the day it arrived so the salsa, after sitting on my front porch, was as chilled as it would have been in the fridge. I opened it immediately and took a generous dip with a tortilla chip. The heat hit me instantly. No waiting for the pain like you would with a habanero and sometimes a bhut jolokia. I dipped about 10 more chips in the jar from Hell and found the flavor to be amazing. CaJohn always uses all-natural ingredients. The sugar made it very sweet, but this had no impact on the heat. I noticed that the heat was actually cooling off but that was due to my tongue going numb. After I stopped, it hit me really hard in the throat. It was warm all the way down to my gut like a shot of moonshine, except it crawled slowly, unlike a swig of liquid. Milk was no help. The pain did not cease inside me for well over an hour. This was, without a doubt, the hottest salsa I have ever had. Stand back, Death By Salsa. There is a new leader in town.
I was in no mood to try the other two products for a few days after my salsa excursion. The menu in the near future was open for some kicked-up additions. I was very curious to see how the puree would be, considering it's just a mixture of scorpion peppers and vinegar. The opportunity quickly came in the form of a hot wing sauce. I usually make my wing sauce from scratch but wasn't in the mood for the task at hand this particular day. I mixed up some Franks Red Hot, butter, spices and 1/2 a teaspoon of puree to about 16 ounces of wing sauce. I then shook some fried wings with the sauce and went to town. I could not believe how much that little addition kicked up the wing sauce. Even the flavor of the scorpion pepper was evident with all the other ingredients. Unlike the salsa, however, it did not burn my insides, but I got a very good sweat from the wings. The little 2 oz bottle of puree will bring the pain for several future wing cooks.
Dinner was served this evening with a side of red beans and rice. Finally, a perfect time to try the last of the trio: the Trinidad Hot Sauce. After reading about CaJohn bringing home an unreal number of awards at ZestFest (including 2nd place in the hottest non-extract category), I stared at the bottle wondering what it would do to me. I put a half a dozen or so dabs on the red beans and rice and took a seat, turning on the TV. I could instantly smell the sauce which was a very potent, sinus-clearing sensation. I took a bite and fell in love. As hot as it was, it added an amazing flavor to the meal, even better than the other sauces I have in the pantry with John’s name on them. After I began my meal, the Modern Marvels episode of "Hot and Spicy" came on, which I've seen several times. It never gets old, especially when you're indulging in a mad creation from a man who is talking about his crazy products on your TV screen at the same time. Meant to be? I think so!
So, once again, I thank you, John. Another super hot experience is in the books. You never cease to amaze me. Keep the trolls busy in the kitchen, cooking up the mad concoctions and I will continue to keep burning my mouth on your awesome products!
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