# "This Hot sauce is from ... North Carolina?" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [October 10, 2022, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015 "2022-10-10T14:04:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2022, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/81 "2022-10-11T22:00:02Z")
Aside: Arizona Iced Tea is made brewed in New York. [The founder had never been west of the Mississippi River](https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/27/business-food/arizona-tea-name-origin/index.html). ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2022, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/82 "2022-10-11T22:04:28Z")
And despite the vaguely Danish-sounding name, Häagen-Dazs is purely an American brand. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2022, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/83 "2022-10-11T22:43:04Z")
And Kona Brewing Company is not actually located in Hawaii, which actually was the subject of a very similar lawsuit a few years ago. I have to admit I actually did think Kona beer was brewed in Hawaii until I learned about that lawsuit, although I would say I was “harmed” by that fact. > **[Kona beer settlement in U.S. offers partial refunds over 'Hawaii' claims](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-craft-brew-alliance-lawsuit-kona/kona-beer-settlement-in-u-s-offers-partial-refunds-over-hawaii-claims-idUSKCN1T02N1)** > > The maker of Kona beer agreed to offer partial refunds to settle a lawsuit claiming it misled consumers in the continental United States into believing the craft brew was actually made in Hawaii, causing them to overpay. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2022, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/84 "2022-10-11T22:46:30Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Valentina is my go-to Mexican hot sauce I bought a 32oz bottle about a month ago just because it was the cheapest. I love it. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2022, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/85 "2022-10-11T22:49:20Z")
I know, it’s always like one of the cheapest at the store, and it’s great! Perfectly does the job. I also enjoy Cholula and Tapatio, of course, but I got hooked on Valentina black label because one of my friends from Merida and Cazumel (who used to own a Yucatecan restaurant here in the Chicago area) swore by the stuff. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2022, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/86 "2022-10-11T22:56:36Z")
I sauté onions in butter and Valentina to put on BBQ cheese burgers. Don’t get no better! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2022, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/87 "2022-10-11T23:09:07Z")
You really can’t compare Valentina/Tapatio/Cholula to Tabasco/Frank’s/Crystal. Completely different creatures. BTW, Huy Fong sriracha is…ordinary. What you want is [Yellowbird Blue Agave Sriracha sauce.](https://www.amazon.com/Yellowbird-Blue-Agave-Sriracha-2-Pack/dp/B01N0LUHS6/ref=sr_1_2?crid=P4XALIOI40GK&keywords=yellowbird+blue+agave+sriracha&qid=1665529716&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIzLjE2IiwicXNhIjoiMi45NSIsInFzcCI6IjIuOTAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=yellowbird+blue+agave%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-2) Thank me later. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2022, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/88 "2022-10-11T23:17:51Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > You really can’t compare Valentina/Tapatio/Cholula to Tabasco/Frank’s/Crystal. Completely different creatures. I agree. We’re just thread-drifting a bit. (I think I’ve kept them all separate in the thread, so far.) > BTW, Huy Fong sriracha is…ordinary. What you want is [Yellowbird Blue Agave Sriracha sauce.](https://www.amazon.com/Yellowbird-Blue-Agave-Sriracha-2-Pack/dp/B01N0LUHS6/ref=sr_1_2?crid=P4XALIOI40GK&keywords=yellowbird+blue+agave+sriracha&qid=1665529716&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIzLjE2IiwicXNhIjoiMi45NSIsInFzcCI6IjIuOTAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=yellowbird+blue+agave%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-2) Thank me later. I’ve tried pretty much all their sauces except that one. And I’ve loved every single one of them, so I’d bet I’d like it. Their green jalapeno gets crazy use around here (probably because it’s one of the few green sauces I’ve found that I like–I mean, El Yucateco green is good, too, but when I want something a little more middle-of-the-road and not of the capsicum chinense flavor), and I really like their habanero, too. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2022, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/89 "2022-10-11T23:25:32Z")
Their hab is the only hot sauce I buy in the **big** bottle. I use it often enough that I’ll run dry before it starts to fade. If I’m eating anything even remotely Asian, the Blue Agave is applied liberally. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2022, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/90 "2022-10-11T23:28:08Z")
Oh, ya know, I never have tried the ghost pepper one. My brother was talking about it this past weekend and he says it’s quite great, too. I use Melinda’s ghost pepper wing sauce quite a lot, kind of like where one might normally use sriracha. It’s good on pizza, good on grilled meats, especially with some garlicky white sauce (which I make with garlic, lemon, mayo, and sour cream or yogurt, and a little bit of sugar.) ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2022, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/91 "2022-10-12T00:34:46Z")
Sriracha I use when I make stirfries or tofu dishes, but don’t care for it anywhere else. It, like Texas Pete, is awful when mixed with ketchup. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2022, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/92 "2022-10-12T02:22:06Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Valentina is my go-to Mexican hot sauce (black label, extra hot variety.) Yeah, that’s what I generally put on my elotes, but I’ll occasionally try some of the ones the good stands advertise as being hotter (the best elotes stands have them all in squeeze bottles, labeled by brand and rated by relative heat). I’ve only regretted going hotter a few times, but I have dressed my elotes where I need several lager beers to cure the heat. > [@silenus](#): > > You really can’t compare Valentina/Tapatio/Cholula to Tabasco/Frank’s/Crystal. Completely different creatures. Nah, not really. I’m partially guilty for mentioning taqueria hot sauces, which are again their own third animal. I’ll still dress my fried chicken with any of the above, though. I wouldn’t do that with picante sauce. So, maybe they’re interchangeable enough? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2022, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/93 "2022-10-12T03:44:18Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > It, like Texas Pete, is awful when mixed with ketchup. I’ve mixed it with mayo to make a spicy aioli for a chicken sandwich, it’s okay that way. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2022, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/94 "2022-10-12T03:50:50Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > They only claim 35,000 on the Scoville scale. Wimpy. Compared to the 3,750 of Tabasco, the 3,000 of Tapatio, or the 2,000 of Huy Fong Sriracha, that’s pretty darn spicy. They also make a 99,000 Scoville version if a mere 35,000 isn’t tortuous enough for you. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2022, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/95 "2022-10-12T04:21:09Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Häagen-Dazs is purely an American brand. New York City, to be specific. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2022, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/96 "2022-10-12T04:23:03Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > New York City, to be specific. **New York City?!** ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2022, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/97 "2022-10-12T11:04:20Z")
Totally different, but **Melinda’s Thai Sweet Chili Sauce** is one of my more expensive hot sauces I buy. When I get a bottle it goes fast. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2022, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/98 "2022-10-12T12:39:04Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > New York City?! Get a cone. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2022, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/99 "2022-10-12T15:35:00Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I’ve mixed it with mayo to make a spicy aioli for a chicken sandwich, it’s okay that way. Oh yeah! That’s the other way I use it: it’s great mixed with mayo for sandwiches. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2022, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015/100 "2022-10-12T21:57:40Z")
I would be surprised if this lawsuit goes anywhere. If it did _a lot_ of American branding and marketing language would go topsy-turvy. Come to think of it, that might make the European Union quite happy. They’re very annoyed that American producers can use terms like “Gruyère.” My favorite hot sauce is Cholula. Tabasco is just vinegar and capsaicin. Blech. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-hot-sauce-is-from-north-carolina/973015.md?page=6)