Q: Dave:This is a bit delicate—I don’t mind the chile burn when I’m eating them, but is there any way to moderate the fiery exit action?—David A: Hello David:One of the great chile mysteries is why some people are bothered by this "jaloproctitis" and some people are not. I am in the latter category. For those like yourself who are …
1877 Bottle Found
Q: Dave,I found in my backyard a bottle with E R DURKEE & CO, NEW YORK SALAD DRESSING on the side. It has a patent issued date on the bottom of April 17, 1877. Where can I find info about this bottle?Thanks, Harry Atkins A: Hello Harry:In the book Ketchup, Pickles, Sauces: 19th Century Food in Glass, Betty Zumwalt suggests that …
Hot Sauce Comparable to HOB Bayou Heat
Q: Dave,My favorite hot sauce is House of Blues Bayou Heat. However, it can only be purchased at an HOB store or online, which means you have to pay for shipping & handling. According to their web site it contains cayenne peppers, vinegar, salt and coloring (in that order). Can you recommend comparable hot sauce that might be more readily …
Valuable (?) Chili Sauce Bottle Found
Q: Hi Dave,I’ve been searching the internet for information on a hexagonally shaped bottle patented by Eugene R. Durkee. The only information I could find was your article "A Brief History of U.S. Commercial Hot Sauces" which said that no bottle has ever been found. I have one in my possession, and I wondered how I could obtain information on …
Habanero Eating Competition (!!!)
Q: Hi Dave,Is there any way to prepare for a habanero eating competition? And what is the record number eaten? Thanks for a wonderfully informative site.–Laurie A: Hello Laurie:Some people drink heavy cream beforehand, hoping that it will kill any burn in the stomach. It’s best not to eat hot chiles on an empty stomach. As far as the record …