Pros: Fresh tasting, smelling, rich consistency, great flavor, good heat level
Cons: Not commonly available, isn't hot enough for serious afficionados
The Bottom Line: If you're looking for a hot sauce with flavor and kick, pick this up for family and friends. Californians can purchase locally, but everyone else would have to order online.
wsmunch's Full Review: Ring of Fire X-tra Hot Habanero Hot Sauce, 12.5 fl...
Looking at it through the bottle, you can tell Ring of Fire X-Tra Hot Habanero Sauce is good stuff. The dark, rich color, mottled with pepper seeds and spices, reflects the quality of the ingredients.
[] TASTE []
Opening the bottle and pouring some out, you're greeted by aromatics best described as fresh. The sauce pours out thick, almost like a puree, while still having some of that loose liquid with it. A few good shakes before use keeps it well blended so there isn't much of that "watery leftover" like one can encounter with lesser-quality sauces or salsas. In fact, the Ring of Fire X-Tra Hot Habanero Sauce is quite good when used as a salsa and is not unlike salsas [for consistency and taste] some restaurants serve with complimentary tortilla chips while you wait for your meal. The only big difference is that most restaurants don't serve this hot.
Ring of Fire X-Tra Hot Habanero Sauce has a garden-fresh taste that you'd think it's only been bottled up for no more than a week. Those who enjoy experimenting with homemade salsas and sauces might even think they could make some like it, since it really has that wonderful consistency, fresh taste, and smell. Tomato, garlic, and onion are the strong flavors that hit you up front. As it rolls in the mouth, the small bits of spices and pepper pieces melt with a hint vinegar. I was so glad that this habanero sauce did not have vinegar overpowering the rest of the flavors. I like my Tabasco sauce to come from bottles labeled as such.
This sauce is fantastic on eggs, baked or pan-seared chicken, or inside of grilled cheese sandwiches/quesadillas. I've also used it to spice up burgers (both homemade and purchased) as a condiment, though I can see myself using it as an ingredient within ground beef too. The flavor is potent for great taste and the consistency would be perfect to mix in and create some really juicy burgers. I don't think I would use Ring of Fire X-Tra Hot Habanero Sauce as a marinade since it is a little thicker than what I normally use. Plus, it would run the bottle down pretty quick.
[] HEAT []
I am pretty well adjusted to hot foods, but extremes can give me slight indigestion, usually in the form of hiccups. I can eat about a tablespoon of Ring of Fire X-Tra Hot Habanero Sauce before my sinuses start to open up (similar to half a teaspoon of wasabi, alone). It takes about two tablespoons before it'll start to run a little bit. The burn stays mostly on the tongue, lips, and maybe a teeny bit in the back of the throat. Not too much. I don't feel any discomfort in the stomach nor do I get any urges to use the restroom sooner than expected. It didn't burn me twice like the bottle says (keep in mind I am pretty well adjusted to hot) and I'm thankful it didn't. The heat is multiplied by consumption, so the more you eat more the more it will stack up and linger. For me, the heat from Ring of Fire X-Tra Hot Habanero Sauce stays on the lips longer than it does in the mouth, but it doesn't last more than 5 minutes [without another bite] without something to wash it down.
I give Ring of Fire X-Tra Hot Habanero Sauce 7.5/10.0 for heat, being slightly hotter than average hot sauce on average grocery store shelves, which I rate about 5.0 (0.0 would be a tomato and 0.5 would be freshly-ground black pepper). I really love my hot sauces hot, and while I had hopes for more heat it pretty much ended up where I expected it would. My girlfriend, who doesn't quite have the tolerance for heat like I do, agreed that it is sharp and hot without being overwhelming. Those who are more sensitive to heat will want to venture gingerly.
[] BOTTOM LINE []
If treated as a hot sauce, the quality and bottle size justify the price. Despite being really fantastic when used as a salsa, the value drops to horrid levels since you can go through an entire bottle with half a [family size] bag of tortilla chips. The heat level is right at the point where it's enough to satisfy fire-eaters but it's not too much so that it can't be enjoyed by others (the fun rotation between salsa bites and mouthfuls of water!). Since I'm adventurous, the XX-Tra hot bottle is coming home with me next time. Otherwise, Ring of Fire X-Tra Hot Habanero Sauce is tasty and versatile to go with anything deserving of hot sauce or salsa!
Ingredients: Vinegar, Tomatoes, Onions, Habanero Chiles, Garlic, Serrano Chiles, Spices, Salt and Sugar.
Bottle Size: Net 12.5 fl. oz. (370mL)
Serving Size: 1 Tsp (5mL)
Servings Per Container: about 75
Calories: 5
Total Fat & Trans Fat: 0g (0% based on a 2000 calorie diet)
Sodium: 90mg (4% based on a 2000 calorie diet)
Total Carbohydrates Per Serving: 1g (0% based on a 2000 calorie diet)
Protein: 0g
Vitamin A: 2% (based on 2000 calorie diet)
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