The Hot Sauce Emporium

16/10/2026

With the Mexican Day Of The Dead fast approaching, it seems like perfect timing that Chili Maven Salsa Macha has just arrived back in the Emporium after a lengthy absence. For anyone unfamilar with this unique and delicious Mexican product, Salsa Macha is an oil-based blend of dried chillies, ground nuts and seeds. They make great condiments in their own right, but are also perfect as an ingredient, especially (of course) in Mexican dishes. We have two varieties in stock - the Mild & Smoky and the Spicy & Nutty.

Salsa Macha is now available from the Hot Sauce Emporium, where you can also find a wide range of other Mexican products, including dried chillies, powders, salsa verde, refried beans, Tajin and even tomatillos. Find us in Bristol's historic St Nicholas Market.

For anyone interested, the various Day Of The Dead and Mexican-themed decorations were purchased from Bristol's own Mexican shop, Otomí, a must to visit if you are planning a trip to Clifton Village.

💀 🌶

12/10/2026

It's that time of year when chilli displays are usually at their best and when The Upton Cheyney Chilli Farm opens the doors to visitors once more. In what has now become something of an annual tradition, I tagged along yesterday on one such tour. It was lovely to see both Alex and Louise hosting the event together yesterday, as they approach 20 years of chilli farming together in the picturesque village of Upton Cheyney. As ever, a thoroughly entertaining time was had by all, and I cannot recommend the tours enough if you have any interest in chilli growing. A fondness for The Wurzels also helps (you'll just have to attend a tour for that to make sense).

As some of you will be aware, I stock a range of Upton Cheyney sauces in the Hot Sauce Emporium, including the award-winning Roast Garlic & Ginger, Mango, Lime & Red Habanero and the one and only Megalodon. You can also select any three from their range to make up an Upton Cheyney Gift Box - yes, another early Christmas reference. The Hot Sauce Emporium is located in Bristol's historic St Nicholas Market.

08/10/2026

OK, Christmas posts have officially started, because I can't wait any longer to tell you all about this amazing Christmas Calendar from Bristol favourites GingerBeard's Preserves. It's a fantastic gift idea, with 12 doors to be opened, each with a GingerBeard's Preserves goodie waiting to be revealed behind every one. I have the advantage of knowing what this box contains, and all I can say is no-one's going to be disappointed. It's not all chilli products, but every item is delicious, and very Christmas-appropriate. All items are suitable for vegetarians, and most items are vegan.

The 12 Days of GingerBeard's Calendar is now in stock in the Hot Sauce Emporium, for a limited time only, naturally. We are located within Bristol's historic St Nicholas Market.

03/10/2026

Prepare for a haunting... Balefire Ol' Red's Ghost is back!!! This seasonal belter of a sauce has literally just arrived in the Hot Sauce Emporium, and has immediately gone out onto the shelves. Combining the bold flavours of fermented Ghost Pepper, Black Lime and Blood Oranges, it's perfect for warming up comfort food as those Autumn nights draw in and the temperature drops...

Remember this sauce is only available between now and Christmas, so don't leave it too long if you've been waiting for it to become available again. We also have a range of other classics from Northern legends Balefire, including the ludicously popular and now-also-back-in-stock Bonnie Mango. The Hot Sauce Emporium is located within Bristol's historic St Nicholas Market...

02/10/2026

Long-requested, and now at last available in store, the Hot Sauce Emporium is stocking a range of top quality Mexican chilli powders. The range includes Ancho Grande, Guajillo, Chipotle, Habanero and Carolina Reaper...

30/09/2026

I was fortunate enough to escape from the Emporium on Monday to pay a visit to the South Devon Chilli Farm, where I was made to feel very welcome by the owners, Amrit and Jennie (plus their appropriately-attired doggie, Klein!). It's always a pleasure to visit the farm and hear a few snippets of what's going on there and what's on the horizon in terms of new products and other very exciting future plans, plus it's set in such a beautiful location. For anyone planning a visit to the South Hams area of Devon, a visit to the South Devon Chilli Farm should be an absolute must, although be aware that off-season opening hours currently apply.

In the background is the farm orchard, whose apples go into their delicious Heritage Apple Chilli Jelly, which is available in the Hot Sauce Emporium. You can also find plenty of other South Devon Chilli Farm sauces, preserves, seeds and of course award-winning chocolate bars in the Hot Sauce Emporium. We are located in Bristol's historic St Nicholas Market. Shout out as well to farm stalwart Ben, who didn't make the pictures!

23/09/2026

The flavours of Japan have arrived in the Hot Sauce Emporium via Brixton; specifically, the Lazy Scientist Sauces Wasaaaabi Hot Sauce. This unusual medium-hot sauce carries the bold flavours of Tamari, Spring Onion, Wasabi and citrussy Sancho Pepper, and is a perfect accompaniment for sushi, gyozo or rice dishes. You know it's going to be a quality sauce if it's made by Lazy Scientist, and this one is no exception, winning both a Gold award and Category Winner award in this year's National Chilli Awards.

Wasaaaabi Hot Sauce, along with a range of great sauces from Lazy Scientist and many others, is available now from the Hot Sauce Emporium. We are located within Bristol's historic St Nicholas Market, near the City Centre. Japanese backdrop kindly borrowed from my neighbour, Japonicat.

21/09/2026

Today marks the 45th Anniversary of Belizean independence, and coincidentally it's Marie Sharp's 45 anniversary year of making outstanding hot sauces, beloved by Hot Sauce Emporium customers (and me!!!). Warm congratulations to all at Marie Sharp's and to Belize in general!!!

From di heart of Belize to every corner of di world — Happy 45th Independence Day! 🇧🇿🔥 Look at me. I am Belize at 45 — proud, flavorful, and strong!

18/09/2026

Following a midweek visit to the Hot Sauce Emporium from Rikki at , we are now fully restocked with the Sunray and Mura sauces, as well as all the regular Easton Chilli goodies that we stock...

11/09/2026

It was what you might call a 'Works Night Out' yesterday evening, as I headed over to the Easton Chilli kitchen for one of Rikki's Cookery School sessions, with a range of Sichuan dishes being on the menu. It was great fun and it felt like just the right balance of people on the course to receive sufficient guidance, where required, and I wasn't too surprised to find that two of the other budding chefs are Hot Sauce Emporium regulars. Under Rikki's excellent tutelage, we all managed to produce a delicious meal of Mapo Tofu, served with Jasmine Rice, Smacked Cucumber Salad and Soy Pickled Peanuts, all served up with our own crispy Sichuan Chilli Oil. The evening ended with an opportunity to purchase some excellent Easton Chilli Sauces and Chilli Jams - luckily for me, I already have a shop full!

For anyone interested, I can highly recommend booking one of Rikki's cookery or hot saucemaking classes - you will not be disappointed. You can find details on the Easton Chilli online store, or in the Hot Sauce Emporium. Thanks to Sam for taking the pictures.