Review: Lush, A Salsa Verde Hot Sauce by The Capsaicin Cartel

Alright, we have another delicious hot sauce from Quebec to review today, “Lush” by The Capsaicin Cartel. This hot sauce is their take on Salsa Verde, crafted with a blend of jalapeños, chili peppers, and tomatillos. It’s on the milder side but don’t let that fool you.

The flavor packs a solid punch—think vibrant, tangy, and just the right kind of kick to jazz up your meal without overpowering it. If you’re into sauces that add more than just heat, this one might be right up your alley. Let’s get into the details and see what makes Lush stand out.

Introducing: Lush by The Capsaicin Cartel

Meet The Capsaicin Cartel, hailing from Chateauguay, Quebec. These guys aren’t just making hot sauce; they’re crafting an experience that ranges “from mild to wild.” Known for winning accolades with their creations like Anti-Virus19 and Serum22, they’re also pioneers as the first Canadian outfit featured in the League of Fire Challenges.

It all started with a simple garden of hot peppers and a bunch of maple syrup. Yep, their spicy maple syrup kicked things off, and from there, they’ve expanded into a whole lineup of fiery delights. Their hot sauce, Lush, is a prime example of their craft. Made with jalapeños, chili peppers, tomatillos, spinach, and a mix of other green goodies, Lush is their spin on Salsa Verde—only they cranked the heat up a notch and morphed it into a sauce.

Lush boasts a vibrant green hue and an inviting scent that promises a flavorful kick. This section is all about diving into the aromas, flavors, and heat levels that make Lush stand out. Ready to see what this bottle has to offer? You can snag one from The Capsaicin Cartel’s website for $14 CAD. Let’s get into the sensory details and see if it lives up to the buzz.

Manufacturer: The Capsaicin Cartel
Made In: Quebec
Heat Rating: 2/10
Size: 148mL
Price Range: $14

Ingredients: Tomatillos, Spinach, Vegetable Bouillon Organic, Granny Smith Apples, Jalapenos, Chili Peppers, Shallots, Green Onion, Distilled Vinegar, Celery, Sugars (maple syrup), Cilantro, Sea Salt, Roasted Garlic, Lime Juice, Coriander, Cumin

Appearance

Lush by The Capsaicin Cartel certainly catches your eye right off the bat. It’s housed in a 5oz woozy bottle, a tad wider at the mouth than your typical hot sauce containers. This design choice not only looks good but also makes pouring a breeze.

The bottle is dressed in a label that hugs the lower half, splashed with cool hues of blue and green. The name “Lush” is prominently displayed at the center, complemented by an image of a vibrantly green pepper that practically jumps off the label. On the sides, neatly laid out in white, are the informational and nutritional panels, giving you all the details at a glance.

As for the sauce itself, it boasts a light green color with a hint of yellow—appealing to the eye and suggesting freshness. You can see substantial bits of ingredients floating around, promising bursts of flavor with each bite. The sauce pours smoothly from the bottle, clinging just enough to remind you of its substance but not so much that it’s messy. This visual and functional design sets the stage for the flavorful experience that awaits.

Smell

Taking a whiff of Lush, you’re immediately drawn in by its sweet and tangy aroma, reminiscent of a freshly made salsa. The sweet tanginess of the tomatillos and peppers melds seamlessly with the earthy undertones of cilantro, cumin, and coriander. There’s also a hint of garlic that rounds out the savory scent profile.

Despite its array of flavors, Lush doesn’t hit your nose with a spicy punch. Instead, it offers a lighter, inviting scent that doesn’t overwhelm but rather beckons you to dive in for a taste. The aroma sets a promising stage, making it hard not to anticipate the flavors that follow. This sauce smells as refreshing as it looks, and it’s clear that there’s a flavorful experience waiting in every drop.

Taste and Flavour

Lush really nails the texture of traditional Salsa Verde, opting to keep the ingredients as chunky as possible within the confines of a hot sauce. This approach results in little bursts of flavor as each ingredient maintains its distinct taste, providing a more individual flavor profile than if they were fully blended.

The sauce strikes a balance in tanginess; it’s there, but it’s subtle, soft rather than sharp. The sweetness in the sauce seems to temper any potential sharpness, making each taste smooth and well-rounded. Roasted garlic and tomatillos take the lead in flavor, hitting your palate right from the first taste, while surprisingly, the pepper flavor takes a backseat, adding depth without overpowering.

I’ve found Lush to be a fantastic addition to tacos and nachos, where its rich flavors enhance rather than dominate the dish. The sauce brings more to the table in terms of flavor than heat, making it a versatile condiment that’s about boosting taste rather than scorching your taste buds.

Heat Level

When it comes to the heat level of Lush, it’s definitely on the milder side. I’d peg it at about a 2 out of 10 on my personal heat scale. This sauce plays a neat trick with its heat—it doesn’t hit you right off the bat but waits until you’ve savored all the upfront flavors. Once those have settled, it introduces a sharp, warm heat, characteristic of a jalapeño.

The heat has a subtle persistence; it lingers just a bit, and the more you indulge, the longer it stays. However, don’t expect the dramatic effects often associated with hotter sauces. There was no sweating, no runny nose, nor did my face turn red. It’s a warm, enjoyable heat level that adds just enough zest to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming them.

The heat in Lush is authentic, derived directly from the jalapeño peppers themselves, not from any added extracts. It’s a genuine heat that complements the sauce’s flavors rather than overtaking them, making it a great choice for those who appreciate a milder kick.

Conclusion: Overall Thoughts

Lush by The Capsaicin Cartel turned out to be a real treat, especially if you’re pairing it with Mexican cuisine, as it’s a modern twist on traditional Salsa Verde. The flavors are a delightful mix—tangy and sweet with earthy notes from the tomatillos and cilantro that really stand out.

The heat level is mild, but honestly, it’s exactly where it should be for this type of sauce. With its rich flavor base, Lush is meant to be enjoyed in generous amounts; too much heat would overshadow the intricate blend of tastes that make this sauce special. The Capsaicin Cartel has done a stellar job here, crafting a sauce that lets the flavors shine without letting the heat take over.

If you’re on the hunt for a great green sauce that complements rather than dominates your dishes, Lush should definitely be on your radar. Check out The Capsaicin Cartel and give this tasty salsa verde a try. It’s a testament to their ability to balance flavor and heat in a way that enhances every bite.

Please remember that taste is subjective and everyone will experience hot sauce uniquely. These reviews contain my own thoughts and opinions. If you think you’ll enjoy a hot sauce then you should definitely try it out.