The Official Scott Roberts Web Site

New Water Soluble Chile Extract: HydroCap

scott@scottrobertsweb.com (Scott Roberts) — 2009-07-06 06:47:07

Sonoma Organics, a division of Seco Spice Ltd. of Berino, New Mexico, has announced the release of a new product to stabilize the heat levels of fiery foods products. Until now, manufacturers have had to depend on imported, oil-based oleoresins, notes chemist Marlin Bensinger, who invented the process for making a water soluble chile extract.�The advantage of HydroCap� is that it does not separate in water-based products such as salsas and hot sauces and does not change the flavor of the product. Bensinger added that HydroCap� is not designed to make superhot sauces but rather to be added to products of any heat level to increase or stabilize their heat levels as measured by the industry standard, Scoville Heat Units. HydroCap� is organic and kosher and is available in varying heat levels but most commonly 50,000 SHU and 100,000 SHU. For more information on HydroCap�, send an email here.

Review - Nando's Chickenland Peri-Peri Sauces

scott@scottrobertsweb.com (Scott Roberts) — 2009-07-05 15:15:08

After doing a bit of research on Nando's Chickenland sauces, I was surprised to find that they actually originate from a global Portuguese-themed restaurant chain that started in South Africa. Although they are virtually unknown to American food audiences, they do have two locations in Washington, D.C.. But if you live in the U.S., you needn't travel to our nation's capital to experience Nando's unique peri-peri flavored food; all of their sauces and marinades are, through the magic of the interwebs, available online. I was fortunate to have been sent some test bottles to try out, and here's what I thought of Nando's efforts...

The Muppets' Swedish Chef Cooks With Hot Sauce

scott@scottrobertsweb.com (Scott Roberts) — 2009-07-05 11:58:52

The lovable Swedish Chef from The Muppet Show cooks with hot sauce and red chile peppers. Bort bort bort!

Monthly Photo Contest at Peppers & More

scott@scottrobertsweb.com (Scott Roberts) — 2009-07-04 14:27:37

Posted by John Z:

"We have started a Monthly Photo Contest at Peppers & More!

This will give everyone a chance to send in their best photos, and compete for a great monthly prize!

Here is how it will work...

Woman Sprayed in Face with Hot Sauce and Robbed

scott@scottrobertsweb.com (Scott Roberts) — 2009-07-04 13:38:22

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO - A woman was robbed of her purse after being sprayed in the face with hot sauce Friday, July 3rd.

Police say the victim was at the EZ Check Cash on the 500 block of south Circle drive just before 9:00 a.m. when three men confronted her. One of the suspects pointed a toy pistol at the woman and shot her in the face with hot sauce, causing minor burning to her face and arm. The suspects fled the scene in a green Honda car that had been reported stolen out of the Denver area.

The woman followed the suspects to the Valley Hi Golf. The suspects were attempting to dump the stolen car for a white Jaguar with Colorado license plate number 928-UTR but were interrupted by the woman who honked her horn. They jumped back into the Honda and fled the scene in an unknown direction.

CSPD Robbery detectives responded and are following up on leads.

Police have released no suspect descriptions at this time.

Video of Volcanic Eruption Photos Taken From the International Space Station

scott@scottrobertsweb.com (Scott Roberts) — 2009-07-02 06:19:17

Video of an animation of the volcano eruption at Sarychev Peak, Kuril Islands, Russia, created from 29 still frames taken by astronauts aboard the ISS:

Weekend of Fire Salsa Contest Finalists Announced and YOUR Chance to Pick the Winner!

scott@scottrobertsweb.com (Scott Roberts) — 2009-07-01 06:00:00

As mentioned a few months ago, Jungle Jim's Weekend of Fire Salsa Contest would be underway and eventually be narrowed down to four finalists. Well, the time has come to announce the finalists! Here is one of the contest organizers and fellow chilehead, Buddah, giving all the details:

Weekend of Fire Salsa Contest Winners & a FREE Jar of Salsa to YOU!

This salsa contest started a few months back and now I am proud to announce the final 4 salsas judged to compete at the Weekend of Fire at Jungle Jim's International Market on August 1-2. When I say compete, what I mean is that YOU the chilehead will get to cast your vote to decide the ultimate winner in this competition to be declared the top overall salsa and reap the rewards that come with it. More on the rewards in a moment, but let me explain how YOU get to decide the fate in this salsa challenge.

Anyone going to the Weekend of Fire will get to sample all four salsas. You will have a ballot to vote, and if you mention that you heard it here, you will get a FREE jar of the salsa you vote on as long as supplies last. This is only for the first day, Saturday August 1st, because on Sunday the 2nd, we will announce the winner.

I would like to thank all the wonderful companies who participated in Jungle Jim's 1st Salsa Contest. Not everyone can win, but I found out how many great salsas are out there to be had. As you will see by the winning salsas below, it doesn't matter what region of the country you are in, a good salsa can come from anywhere and be made by anyone. When we do this again next year, we might have even stiffer competition and a lot more salsas to consume. I do not think I have ever had so much salsa in a two month period than for this contest. It was worth it, though. Thanks goes out to Jungle Jim's for letting me organize this for you and to my judges - Scott Roberts, Joe Bowen, and Joe and Linda Levinson - who did an awesome job deciphering who had the best salsa. A special shout-out to Bret Vitek who was the brains in making this possible. Thanks Bwana!

Here are the finalists in no particular order:
- Big Orson's 'Citizen Cajun' Hot Mango Habanero Salsa (Georgia)
- Marco's Not Yet Famous Medium Roasted Vegetable Salsa (Maryland)
- Chuck Evan's Montezuma Brand Smokey Chipotle Lime & Garlic Salsa (Ohio)
- Santa Fe Seasons' Grilled Garden Salsa (New Mexico)

These skilled salsa makers will have 5 cases (60 jars) of salsa purchased from them by Jungle Jim's International Market for the show. The public will decide who wins the grand prize. What is the grand prize you ask?

Review - Cheater 5 Sauces and Salsa

scott@scottrobertsweb.com (Scott Roberts) — 2009-06-29 22:11:45

With the amazing and baffling assortment of hot sauces polluting the marketplace, manufacturers must have some unique angle to differentiate yourself from the pack. How 'bout a surfing theme for your company? Well that's exactly what the Cheater 5 Surfin' Salsa Company has done (and according to their website, some of their founders are "extreme sports enthusiasts" who actively participate in "surfing, motocross, skateboarding, wakeboarding, snowboarding, and skiing"). But can their products - which are Shreddin' Serrano Salsa, Killer Caribbean Hot Sauce and Totally Tubular Salsa Taquera - be just as distinctive?

World's Biggest Alarm Clock

scott@scottrobertsweb.com (Scott Roberts) — 2009-06-28 15:42:38

Personally, I think this "alarm clock" would get annoying real fast. I would actually have a different use for this.;-)

Sortable Columns Added to the Spicy Food Reviews Page

scott@scottrobertsweb.com (Scott Roberts) — 2009-06-27 23:13:58

I've made a minor addition to the Spicy Food Reviews page by adding sortable columns. Now you can sort the reviews either alphabetically or by rating. I hope it makes the page more useful, so please let me know what you think.

Link

India Plans Grenades Made From the World's Hottest Chile Peppers

scott@scottrobertsweb.com (Scott Roberts) — 2009-06-26 06:01:18

India is planning to use the bhut jolokia pepper - the world's hottest chile - in a variety of uses. Courtesy of BBC News:

India plans hot chilli grenades

"Indian defence scientists are planning to put one of the world's hottest chilli powders into hand grenades.

They say the devices will be used to control rioters and in counter-insurgency operations.

Researchers say the idea is to replace explosives in small hand grenades with a certain variety of red chilli to immobilise people without killing them..."

Review - Superchile Fire! Salsa

scott@scottrobertsweb.com (Scott Roberts) — 2009-06-25 12:28:33

Those who know me well know that I love a big, hearty, chunky salsa. Yeah, I eat and enjoy salsas of nearly every consistency and level of ingredient processing. But when it comes to your good old fashioned Mexican salsa, nothing to me beats a thick, ultra-chunky blend of tomatoes, peppers, and onions. Although they obviously didn't have me personally in mind, Superchile has aimed for people like myself who at the end of the day will eschew the drippy, wimpy salsas in favor of a dense one chock full of fresh veggies. I've given their Fire! Salsa a try, and because of its superb texture and taste, it has since grown on me and become one of my favorite salsas...

Is America Going to Have a Lost Decade like Japan Did in the 1990s?

scott@scottrobertsweb.com (Scott Roberts) — 2009-06-24 20:17:48

Reason.tv has put together a short video explaining how Japan went through an economic slump in the 1990s - the "lost decade" - and how America might parallel it by going through with the current stimulus package, which includes massive bailouts of large businesses (something Japan also did in an attempt to jumpstart their economy).

Taco Tweets And Free Taco Bell Treats

scott@scottrobertsweb.com (Scott Roberts) — 2009-06-22 16:01:34

Taco Bell to Celebrate Why Pay More� Menu with National "Taco Tweets" Tour to Reward Fans with Free Food

IRVINE, CALIF., June 22, 2009 � Taco Bell's industry-leading 79, 89 and 99 cent Why Pay More Value Menu is back to kick off a summer of savings for today's cash-strapped customers. Since its debut last year, the Why Pay More menu has provided people with unparalleled taste and selection at an unbeatable price. To celebrate this and remind America that every cent counts, Taco Bell will conduct a road trip as it heads to the midsummer classic, the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game�, feeding fans along the journey from Los Angeles to St. Louis and back...

How to Have an Unsuccessful Blog

scott@scottrobertsweb.com (Scott Roberts) — 2009-06-22 06:47:36

Enough with vying for success. I know what you really want deep down - a blog that fails! Who cares about gaining and retaining an audience? That is SO 2008. Being utterly and completely disastrous with your blog endeavors is the new hotness. Follow all of these wonderfully ineffective tips, and no one will care about your site or ever visit it...