Originating from Mozambique, piri-piri was introduced to Portugal and became common in Portuguese cuisine. Versatile, it can be used in various recipes, even in desserts, especially when paired with chocolate, but it should be used in moderation.
With the potential to reach 175,000 units on the Scoville scale, it is spicier than cayenne pepper or Tabasco sauce, so it should be used with caution. Just one or two drops in a dish, or a small spoonful added during cooking, may be sufficient for those who are not accustomed to it.
The piri-piris we use are exclusively produced for us in the West or Oeste region of Portugal, and are available fresh, dried, ground, and in fruit brandy.
Production process
The process of producing our fruit brandy-based chili sauce is simple. We select some of our fruit brandy, and add chili peppers to it. The alcohol absorbs the color, flavor, and spiciness of the chili peppers, and the longer they macerate, the spicier the sauce becomes. We highlight the production year on the bottles to indicate intensity, but the color of the chili peppers is also a good indicator - the less colorful they are, the spicier the sauce.
When it comes to using our chili peppers in fruit brandy in cooking, the possibilities are endless. It is essentially used the same way as chili peppers in olive oil, but with some additional advantages. One of them is its long shelf life: as long as the alcohol does not evaporate, the sauce can last for years. This is ideal for those who use spicy sauce occasionally.
Another advantage is its pure flavor. The alcohol is virtually imperceptible in terms of taste and smell - only the spiciness stands out. This makes it an excellent option for dishes where the taste of olive oil is not desired - such as in a spicy chocolate mousse, for example.
Of all the forms in which we offer our chili peppers, the version in fruit brandy is the most versatile in terms of usage. You can add a dessert spoon while cooking, or a few drops directly onto the dish for an extra spicy touch. It's a great option when not everyone has the same preferences.
And best of all, there is no waste - in addition to the sauce, you can also enjoy the chili peppers inside the bottle, adding even more flavor to your dishes.
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