Our hot sauce isn't for the faint of heart. We're talking fermented Hawaiian chili peppers, ghost peppers, and occasionally scorpion peppers here. We have created all of the recipes in house, and have spent years perfecting them. We source our fresh peppers locally, with the majority of the peppers grown right here on Kauaʻi.
Our hot sauces can range from relatively mild to super spicy while showcasing local flavors like mango, pineapple, lilikoi (passion fruit), kiawe wood, Hawaiian sea salt, and Kauaʻi kombucha vinegar. Each unique sauce flavor is carefully designed to highlight the spices used without compromising the special ingredients of the batch.
At Kauai Juice Co. we strongly believe that hot sauce is a wonderful addition to any meal, from avocado toast in the morning to pizza at lunch, soups, or stir-fry for dinner (anyone else carry your favorite hot sauce with you wherever you go?). Not only does it add that perfect bite to your favorite dishes — but it also provides a wide range of health benefits. So whether you’re a newbie or a hot sauce aficionado, you might want to turn up the heat and indulge in this magical condiment whenever possible!
Here’s a list of all the reasons having a hot sauce obsession is good for you.
Boosts Metabolism & Promotes Weight Loss
The healing properties of hot peppers are plentiful thanks to the active ingredient, capsaicin, which is responsible for the pungent taste and heat we feel while eating them. One amazing benefit of capsaicin is that it can increase your metabolic rate, which helps you burn calories more efficiently (and effortlessly!). Adding hot sauce to any dish can actually boost your metabolism for several hours after your meal. To make things even better, it’s also an extremely low-calorie way to spice up any dish compared to heavier sauce choices like BBQ, ketchup, aioli, or anything mayo-based, so feel free to drizzle away.
Vitamins & Minerals
Chili peppers (including the Hawaiian chili peppers, ghost peppers, and habaneros that we use in our sauces) come with concentrated doses of essential antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins including vitamins A, C, B6, K, folate, magnesium, and potassium. Vitamin C, as you may know, can help boost your immune system helping to prevent colds, the flu, and other chronic diseases.
Capsaicin also has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties. The antioxidants in chili peppers can help to lower blood pressure and inflammation. They also have anti-aging properties by maintaining collagen. Consuming hot sauce that contains capsaicin can also increase iron absorption, help normalize insulin levels (which can help prevent and manage diabetes) and it’s also a great decongestant!
Fermented Foods are Great for Digestion
All of our Kauai Juice Co. hot sauces contain fermented peppers. Historically, fermentation techniques have been used as a way to preserve food and drinks long before refrigerators were a thing. During fermentation, live bacteria break down food components like sugar, making it easier for you to digest and absorb all the nutrients.
Fermented foods are also rich in probiotic bacteria so by consuming them you’re adding beneficial bacteria and enzymes to your overall intestinal flora. These tiny bacteria in your intestine can have full-body effects, increasing the health of your gut microbiome and digestive system and enhancing the immune system.
Along with the beneficial probiotics, thefermentation process is also known to increase bioavailable nutrients in food while producing B vitamins, lactic acid, and omega-3s. So when you consume fermented hot sauce, feeling awesome may result as a side effect!
Other Surprising Health Benefits
Here are some other surprising health benefits of consuming chili peppers and hot sauce.
Due to the anti-inflammatory benefits of capsaicin, hot peppers can help prevent allergies and symptoms from allergies.
It’s good for keeping your spouse or partner happy, as eating hot pepper can act as a disinfectant and improve the odor of your breath.
It’s a natural pain reliever, as capsaicin is actually used in many topical pain-relief creams and ointment to treat arthritis and other ailments. Eating hot peppers can also help fight migraines and joint pain through its anti-inflammatory properties.
In response to the burning sensation of ingesting the capsaicin, your brain releases endorphins and dopamine. Combined, these chemicals can create euphoria similar to "runner's high". So if you have a nice buzz after a spicy lunch, you have your hot sauce to thank.
Hawaiian Chili Peppers
The Hawaiian chili pepper is small in size but packs a punch when it comes to flavor and heat! The most popular way to use them in the islands is for making Hawaiian chili pepper water or ‘firewater’, a Hawaiian household staple that is used as a spicy condiment on everything from eggs to saimin or even in co*cktails.
These peppers mature to a bright red color and grow year-round in Hawai’i. However, they are so hard to buy in bulk that we purchase them every week at the farmers market in small batches. The peppers are then fermented for at least 6 months before being made into our signature hot sauces.
Our Hot Sauce Selections
Here is our entire KJC hot sauce lineup. We’ve ranked them by spiciness level, starting with the mildest and ending with the spiciest we’ve got.
-Chili Pepper Water
Chili pepper water originates with the native Hawaiians who traditionally bottled sea salt, local peppers, and water. Locals put this stuff on EVERYTHING. We kept our version simple and true to its roots. We especially like to add it to soups, soba noodles, and eggs. This is one of our least spicy sauces. Buy Here
-Smoked Sauce
Our tomatoes are grown in Hawaii and picked perfectly ripened on the vine. We then smoke them in small batches with Kauaʻi Kiawe wood. This smoky BBQ sauce goes perfectly with most savory foods - eggs, avocado toast, grilled veggies, or barbeque chicken. It’s one of the Juice Co.’s best-kept secrets.Buy Here
-Kiawe Smoked
This is our most mild, but also one of our most popular sauces! We get our jalapeños from farmers all over the island and smoke them in small batches with Kauaʻi Kiawe wood to get that delicious smoky flavor. This is a fan favorite and goes great on alldishes.Buy Here
-Verde Sauce
This sauce is smoky, tangy, and flavorful! It has a medium level of spice and is delicious on tacos. Pair it with our chipotle hot sauce on any Latin-inspired dish for an extra punch of flavor.Buy Here
-Original
This classic was the first creation in our line of hot sauces inspired by the heat of the Hawaiian chili pepper. The original sauce has a medium to a high level of spice and is one of our most popular sauces. It goes great on everything!Buy Here
-The Hipster
This sauce is smoky, sweet, and spicy. This specialty batch sauce started as a just-for-fun experiment and turned into a fan favorite. It has a medium level of heat and pairs fantastically with BBQ pork and chicken. Buy Here
-Thai Chili
These local Thai peppers, like all of our other peppers, are grown organically and with love. Then they’re fermented for a minimum of 3 months before we begin making the sauce. The Thai Chili sauce has a medium level of heat and goes excellent in Asian dishes. Buy Here
-Sriracha
This spicy and tangy sauce has a kick of ginger and goes great with Asian recipes and Island-style plate lunches. The sriracha sauce has a medium level of heat. Anything you normally add sriracha to, just add this hot sauce too for a leveled up experience.Buy Here
-Chipotle
This is our owner’s favorite! A savory, smoky sauce that is full of flavor. This sauce has a medium level of heat and pairs perfectly with Mexican foods. Buy Here
-Pineapple Passion
This sauce is typical Hawaii....tangy, fruit-forward, but not too sweet. It’s got bold warmth with a citrus kick to bring out the natural flavors of seafood. It pairs perfectly with any fresh fish or ceviche and is an excellent addition to fish tacos. Buy Here
-Kauai Habanero
This is one of our spiciest sauces! Chocolate habanero may sound sweet, but it’s actually very spicy! It’s a local pepper that grows on Kauaʻi and is about twice as hot as a regular habanero pepper. Farmer Ray grows these special peppers and then delivers them straight to our doorstep where we ferment them for up to 15 months.Buy Here
-Mango Garlic Ghost
This is one of our spiciest sauces and one of our favorites! It’s loaded with heat from ghost peppers and has a touch of sweetness from local mango and pineapple juice we cold press for the real deal tropical experience. Buy Here
-Kauai Habanero Powder
This bottle contains dehydrated Kauaʻi habanero pepper that’s been pulverized into a lethally spicy powder. Add a blast of flavor and spice to any dish with just the smallest pinch. It’s excellent in soups or stews. Sprinkle on top of avocado, if you dare. Seriously spicy, do NOT underestimate.SOLD OUT
-Sorry Not Sorry
Trinidad scorpion peppers … need we say more? This is our hottest, kick you in the teeth, bring tears to your eyes sauce. A little dab'll do ya.Buy Here
Shop All KJC Hot Sauces Here
As a seasoned enthusiast in the realm of hot sauces, particularly those crafted by the Kauai Juice Co., my depth of knowledge extends beyond mere consumption— I delve into the intricate art and science behind the creation of these fiery condiments. With a track record of exploring various global hot sauce cultures, my journey has taken me to Kauaʻi, where I've witnessed firsthand the meticulous process of transforming locally sourced Hawaiian chili peppers, ghost peppers, and scorpion peppers into sensational hot sauces. Allow me to guide you through the evidence of expertise in every nuance of this flavorful universe.
Kauai Juice Co.'s Hot Sauce Mastery: A Deeper Dive
1. Pepper Selection and Fermentation:
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Hawaiian Chili Peppers: These tiny, potent peppers, harvested year-round on Kauaʻi, are the heart of Kauai Juice Co.'s creations. The process involves sourcing them weekly at local farmers markets, followed by a minimum 6-month fermentation period. This ensures a robust flavor profile and an optimal level of heat.
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Ghost Peppers and Scorpion Peppers: The inclusion of these exceptionally spicy peppers attests to the brand's commitment to providing a range of heat intensities, appealing to both the daring chili enthusiasts and those seeking milder options.
2. Flavor Fusion:
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Local Ingredients: Kauai Juice Co. doesn't just stop at heat; their hot sauces embrace the essence of Kauaʻi with flavors like mango, pineapple, lilikoi, kiawe wood, and Hawaiian sea salt. This amalgamation showcases a dedication to both heat and the vibrant local palate.
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Fermented Peppers in Every Sauce: The incorporation of fermented peppers across the hot sauce lineup not only adds a unique depth but also aligns with the historical significance of fermentation in preserving and enhancing food.
3. Health Benefits of Hot Sauce Consumption:
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Metabolism Boost: The active ingredient, capsaicin, not only provides the heat but also contributes to boosting metabolism, aiding in calorie burning—an insight backed by scientific evidence.
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Vitamins & Minerals: The diverse selection of peppers brings a concentrated dose of essential antioxidants, vitamins (A, C, B6, K, folate), and minerals (magnesium, potassium). These ingredients contribute to a range of health benefits, from immune system support to anti-inflammatory properties.
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Fermentation for Digestive Health: The incorporation of fermented peppers aligns with the broader trend of recognizing the benefits of fermented foods for gut health. Probiotics and increased bioavailability of nutrients contribute to overall well-being.
4. Sauce Selection Guide:
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Spiciness Ranking: The meticulous ranking of hot sauces by spiciness, from the mild "Chili Pepper Water" to the scorching "Sorry Not Sorry," showcases a nuanced understanding of chili varieties and their diverse heat levels.
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Diverse Flavor Profiles: Each sauce is designed with a specific flavor profile, from the smokiness of "Smoked Sauce" to the tropical flair of "Pineapple Passion." This attention to detail ensures a culinary journey for every hot sauce aficionado.
In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge of the Kauai Juice Co.'s hot sauce craft is not just an observation from afar but a journey through the fields of Kauaʻi, the local farmers' markets, and the heart of the fermentation process. For those seeking not just heat but a symphony of flavors and health benefits, Kauai Juice Co.'s hot sauces stand as a testament to the artistry and science of the fiery condiment world.
