Where do you source your peppers?

I grow almost all of my peppers in my back yard, right here in Des Moines, IA. If you visit me in person at a market, feel free to ask more questions because I love talking about peppers and their growth processes and am happy to hear tips you have used!

Why are my sauces separating?

This is completely natural and can easily be solved by shaking the sauce. I decided to not use Xanthan Gum. Xanthan Gum allows the sauce to thicken and reduces separation. I made the decision not to use it because Xanthan Gum can cause possible allergic reactions and I wanted to avoid this completely. The sauce is not “going bad” if it begins to separate. As stated before, a quick shake of the bottle will solve the problem, and its good to go on your food!

What if the sauce is too hot for me, and I can’t have milk products to curb the heat due to medical reasons?

Completely understandable and very relevant question. A great substitute for dairy products to curb the heat is any drink that is high in sugar content. I prefer using a fruit punch like juice that not only helps curb the heat but tastes great!

Do you sell in stores?

As of right now, I do not. I operate The Hot Sauce Hookup under Iowa Cottage Laws and to comply with these it is required that I do not produce my sauce in a commercial kitchen. If I were to sell in stores, I would need to produce sauces in a commercial kitchen and be required to adhere to much more strict regulations. I am not ruling out the possibility for the future, but for now I am looking forward to the journey of growth of my small business.

Though, I will be at a couple local Farmers’ Markets throughout the Summer and Fall so stay tuned!

~You will find the needed statement of my use of a residential kitchen (my home) on each bottle, along with the making/bottling date and the pH level of the batch in the bottle.

Which sauce is your favorite?

They are all amazing, but my go-to is the New Bhut Goofin’ sauce. It is super adaptive to the dish it’s on and has a perfect balance of flavor and heat. But let’s be honest, they are all great and taste great with a variety of foods.

Can I pick up sauces if I am local?

As of now if you purchase through the site, I will only be shipping. This allows me to track and document sales easier. It also reduces possible inventory mess-ups and issues.

Though, I will be a vendor in a couple Farmers’ Markets this Summer and Fall where you can purchase them in person. Stay tuned on which markets I will be selling at!