Ferm Foundations – Fermented Guajillo Habanero Micro-Batch Chili Sauce

Bitter: ⭐⭐✰✰✰

Salty: ⭐⭐✰✰✰

Sour: ⭐⭐⭐✰✰

Sweet: ⭐⭐✰✰✰

Umami: ⭐⭐⭐✰✰

Heat: ⭐⭐✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰

Quick Flavor Notes: Rich, savory, fruity, tannic

Texture: Medium-thick and chunky

Recommended: Yes

Ingredients: Distilled Vinegar, Habanero Pepper, Guajillo Pepper, Red Bell Pepper, Carrot, Garlic, Sea Salt

Buy it From: https://fermfoundations.square.site/

Ferm Foundations has been a brand of sauces I’ve loved from the first sauce of theirs I’ve tried. Based out of Manchester, PA and only a stone’s throw from popular brand Torchbearer, Ferm Foundations is one of those small hot sauce companies that need more exposure. I’ve previously reviewed two of their serrano based sauces their absolutely amazing Serrano Mustard Hot Sauce and their unique and ultra-citrusy Lemon Serrano Hot Sauce. I still have their Fruity Serrano waiting to be opened but thought I’d try one of their red sauces first.

One of the things I appreciate about Ferm Foundations sauces, in addition to the depth of flavor they get from fermenting, is that they keep their ingredients lists clean in their sauces. Guajillo Habanero is just that – habanero peppers, guajillo peppers, vinegar, and some red bell pepper, carrots, and garlic to fill out the flavor. Guajillo chiles are the dried form of the mirasol pepper, a low-heat red pepper named for the way it grows facing upwards (mirasol translates to “looking at the sun” in Spanish). Guajillos are part of the “holy trinity” or dried Mexican chiles along with ancho and pasilla chiles and the second-most used in Mexican cuisine. Guajillos, like their forebear pepper mirasols, are known to be fruity, smoky, and have some berry-like and tannic qualities. Guajillo Habanero has a medium-thick texture and is very chunky with lots of chew pepper bits in the sauce. In terms of aroma it’s earthy with some sweet notes and a bit of tangy funk.

The flavor of Ferm Foundations Guajillo Habanero is similar to the aroma. This sauce is simultaneously earthy, rich, fruity, smoky, tangy, and funky. The heat level is low but this sauce punches well above its heat level when it comes to flavor. The funky lactofermentation flavors are evident and and a lot of depth to the fruity flavors of the habanero and guajillo. There’s sweetness from the carrots that’s offset by the garlic and the vinegar keeping this sauce mostly savory with just a little bit of sweet to fill it out. I think guajillos may be an underutilized pepper in hot sauces. I remember really loving Fat Cat’s Guajillo Ghost in the past. There is that tannic almost wine-like flavor from those peppers in this sauce as well as some subtle smoke. While not tasting like a mole in terms of complexity of ingredients I do get some mole-esque vibes from this sauce.

Guajillo Habanero was equally at home with Mexican cuisine as with American food. It’s a great sauce for tacos and burritos but also has enough acid and tang to make it work great with sandwiches. It’s rich, dark, and fruity pepper flavors also makes it an excellent steak sauce. I used the last of my bottle in a quick sauté of some shrimp with onions and peppers and it reminded me of a milder take on camarones al diabla and went great with some tortillas.

I’m happy to recommend Ferm Foundations Guajillo Habanero Hot Sauce. I don’t see it currently on their site but I do hope that it makes a return. This sauce is also all natural with no artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, or thickeners.