They say that variety is the spice of life but, as all spice lovers know, spice is the way to add variety to your life – or at least your meals.
Another thing all serious chilli connoisseurs know is that being part of the club comes with certain dos and don’ts. Here are 13 rules that spice lovers will instantly understand.
1. A restaurant without hot sauce is a no-no
Chilli sauce should be a standard table-top condiment, and we won’t hear a word otherwise. As we can’t always rely on the chef to perfectly season our food, we at least need the option to add some heat at the table.
2. True connoisseurs carry a bottle of hot sauce with them at (almost) all times
If this is you, you’re in good company. From Beyoncé to Naomi Campbell and, unexpectedly, Hillary Clinton, the “I got hot sauce in my bag” crew is elite.
3. Finding new ways to add spice to your life is an ongoing pursuit
Case in point: I recently discovered Encona’s brand new range of chilli jams and, let me tell you, its Mexican smoked chilli jam makes an inspired glaze for pulled beef (you can thank me later).
4. Different times of the day call for entirely different spicy condiments
A true spice savant knows that there is no one-spice-fits-all condiment. The required spice hit for breakfast (lashings of hot sauce on eggs or avo, for instance) is entirely different from the spice needed for dinner (when marinades such as Jamaican jerk, Korean BBQ and Moroccan harissa come into their own).
5. Owning just one type of hot sauce is sacrilege
If you claim to be a spice enthusiast but possess just one lonely bottle of hot sauce, it’s clear you’re not playing in the same league as true aficionados.
6. It’s always a competition
When someone boasts about their spice tolerance, it’s imperative to put it to the test. Im-pe-ra-tive.
7. You don’t always need to go hot, hot, hot
We know that spice isn’t just about heat. From the fruity tang of an Indian mango chilli sauce to the sweet kick of Canadian maple chilli jam, chilli-infused condiments have myriad different flavour profiles – and we love them all.
8. You know the benefits that come with eating spicy foods
Unlike typical addictions, an insatiable appetite for spice comes with a range of possible health benefits. Compounds in spicy foods have been linked to reduced blood pressure, weight management, and even increased life expectancy. Now that’s our kind of wellness!
9. You know exactly how to cool things down
Even spice enthusiasts sometimes go too far. From reaching for a glass of milk to indulging in acidic beverages such as lemonade or tomato-based snacks, we know how to relieve the burn.
10. You don’t outwardly judge others
It’s not always easy to hide our disdain when someone describes their dish as “super spicy”, when it contains a mere sprinkle of chilli flakes or dash of sweet chilli sauce – but we do try our best.
11. Spice is as good as a hug
For us, spice is synonymous with comfort. There’s nothing quite like the warmth of a sizzlingly hot meal on a cold winter’s night or after a long day at work, or when you’re feeling under the weather … You get the picture.
12. You have a shelf in your cupboard dedicated to spicy condiments
In the world of social media, “shelfies” are a big trend. While others showcase skincare or books, ours would undoubtedly feature the shelf in our cupboard filled with a vast array of spicy condiments. You could say, it’s our pride and joy.
13. Educating people who ‘don’t like spice’ is God’s work
There are few greater joys in life – for a spice lover, at least – than helping a novice find a heat they can handle. We know that there really is a chilli-infused condiment for everyone and, goddammit, we’re going to help people find theirs whether they like it or not!
From its “hotter than hot” South Carolina reaper sauce to its mild and sweet Canadian maple chilli jam, Encona’s sauces, marinades and newly launched chilli jams are inspired by flavours from all over the world, and are the perfect way to spice up your life. Discover the full range at enconasauces.co.uk
