Bottom Line: This gourmet salsa delivers good heat and good taste and is worth the premium price.
[Updated. Originally posted March 2021]
There are lots and lots (and lots) of jarred salsas available in the stores, and unlike hot sauces, there is not nearly as much variance in taste, especially with the tomato-based varieties. Most all of them are pretty good—I’ve rarely met a salsa I thought was outright bad—but it takes something special for one to stand out above the rest. The Caliente Salsa from Fredericksburg Farms is one of those that succeeds at that.
I stumbled upon this one while in Fredericksburg, Texas recently (where else?) and saw the claim on the label that it is “hotter than the Texas sun”, so you know I had to give it a try. They had samples available (Yay! Sampling is back! With the proper precautions, of course) so I tried several of the varieties from the Farms and the Caliente really stood out. I’m not sure it lives up to the claim on the label, but I liked it enough to snatch up a jar.
This salsa has a good tomato tang to it with a very fresh taste. There is a little bit of sweetness with some hints of black pepper and just enough acid in the background to deliver a good zing. It has some richness to it, but not in a way that makes it heavy. It also has a nice pop from the blend of jalapeno, habanero, and pequin chilis, and I’m guessing that latter pepper (which is less commonly used in salsas) is an ingredient that gives this that little something different. Apple cider vinegar is one of the ingredients they use as well, and I typically put that in my hot sauces and some salsas. That may be one more thing that sets this one apart.
At first bite, this salsa does not seem too hot, but it definitely has a kick. The more you eat, though, the more the heat builds up. And after a few bites, you know you are eating a spicy salsa! I don’t know that this is really in competition with Texas sun, but I would put this above medium heat and approaching the hot level. It won’t send chiliheads running for the exits, but the average mortal may be looking for something to douse the fire in their mouth. This salsa meets that sweet spot I am looking for where flavor meets fire and I find it very addictive.
Fredericksburg Farms is located in the Hill Country near Fredericksburg, TX and got its start as a nursery. It has expanded to gourmet foods which include salsas, barbeque sauces, rubs, chili mixes, and more. Since their salsas are done in small batches using the freshest ingredients, they fetch a higher price like most premium products. A jar runs seven or nine bucks depedning on where you buy it, but in this case I am willing to pay the price. I tried several of their other salsas and liked those as well, and I will be giving more of their products a try in the future.
You can order from Fredericksburg Farms online at their website, and they also have a store locator for shops that sell their products. World Market also carries several of their salsas, though sadly not the Caliente. I have tried Salsa Roja A La Charra and the Guadalupe Valley Cilantro Garlic Salsa and both are worth picking up if happen to stop by that establishment. While there are plenty of choices out there for salsas, some of which you can get rather cheap, sometimes it makes sense to pay the money for the better product. And the Caliente Salsa is definitely in that class.
Tale of the Tape:
Ingredients: Tomatoes (tomatoes, tomato juice, calcium chloride, citric acid), tomato puree (water, tomato paste), onions, roasted jalapeno peppers, habanero peppers, garlic, salt, apple cider vinegar, dehydrated roasted minced garlic, garlic powder, piquin peppers
Serving Size: 2 tbsp
Calories: 10
Fat: 0g (0g Sat/0 Trans
Protein: 0g
Carbs: 2g
Sodium: 160mg