Shuug – Original Zhoug Hot Sauce
My original exposure to Zhoug (or Schug, Shug, Schuug, etc, I’ve seen many spellings) was as an available topping at the Pita Pit chain, and I found the spicy and herbaceous condiment enthralling.
Looking up some details it appears this style of sauce originated in Yemen, and then traveled throughout the Middle East where it became very popular in Israel as well as other areas in the Levant. There are apparently both red and green versions, but thus far I have only ever run into the green.
On the first taste it’s easy to tell why this sauce is so popular in the region. The blend of bright herbs, a little bit of heat, garlic, and olive oil is a natural pairing with any kind of grilled meats or fried foods such as falafel.
I’m personally extremely picky when it comes to green sauces. I absolutely love the flavor of cilantro, but oftentimes in sauces it’s led to disappointment as in many it loses that fresh zing and takes on a muddled and unpleasant taste.
I can thankfully say that this sauce is an exception and that the fresh cilantro flavor comes through strong and vibrant. Behind that there’s that grassy heat of fresh green chile peppers, a punch of garlic, and a background of nice spices. With both olive oil and lemon juice in the base there’s also a great balance of richness and acidity here. This is a sauce that’s delicious on already cooked food, but I could also see it working extremely well as a marinade or placed on raw meat before grilling.
If you’re looking for a delicious new take on a green sauce, and one that pairs exceptionally well with Mediterranean flavors, I strongly recommend giving this a try. It’s available at shuug.co.
Ingredients: Water, cilnatro, extra virgin olive oil, poblano pepper, garlic, green scotch bonnet peppers, organic blue agave nectar, Jalapeno peppers, lemon juice, cumin, cultured dextrose, natural coloring with turmeric and butterfly pea flower extract, citric acid, xanthan gum, acacia, kosher salt, cardamom, natural chipotle extract, ghost pepper powder
Heat Level: 2/10 There’s a little bit of heat in the back of this, but the overwhelming taste is of freshness and herbs, this is mild enough anyone can easily enjoy it regardless of heat tolerance.
