Spicing it up

With the unexpected passing of McIlhenny Company CEO Paul McIlhenny last week, we wanted to highlight how far-reaching the famous products of his storied clan have become. The sight of a bottle of Tabasco is ubiquitous, not just in the South, but all around the world, thanks in large part to Paul McIlhennys’ tireless work to bring the product to more and more places. But Tabasco is great for more than just shaking over your eggs. In honor of the red sauce so many of us love, 225 Dine offers this small list of some of the more unusual products that include Tabasco as an ingredient:

Southern Comfort Fiery Pepper: Released in 2011, this blend of the famously sweet liqueur and Tabasco’s spicy, peppery flavor makes an intriguing mix of flavors. Check out this week’s Cheers below for more spicy cocktail ideas that use the famous pepper sauce.

Hot & Spicy Spam: One almost couldn’t think of two tastes more opposed—Tabasco’s famous bite and Spam’s notorious mystery-meat blandness. But Spam and Tabasco go back a long way. A chain restaurant in Guam called Shirley’s became famous for its blend of the two flavors, and the Hormel Company and McIlhenny saw an opportunity. This pre-packaged spicy Spam is now a favorite in the Pacific Islands and Hawaii.

Tsunanare Tabasco snacks: We all know—and have probably tasted—Zapp’s Tabasco chips. But blending Tabasco and snack foods is far from a purely Southern phenomenon. Tsununare, a popular fried rice snack in Japan, also makes a Tabasco flavored version. Japan is actually the second-biggest consumer of Tabasco, and although it’s not likely you’ll find this particular snack at your local store, it’s good to know that even in far-flung places, you might find a familiar flavor.

Tabasco-flavored Jelly Belly candy: Tabasco has made an appearance in dozens of foods, from Slim-Jims to Cheez-Its to chocolate. California-based Jelly Belly, famed for its unusual flavors, got into the action with Tabasco-flavored jelly beans. More spicy than sweet, they’re a fun example of how versatile the Louisiana red sauce can be.