What is Chipotle?

Imagine yourself in early Mexico. You’re a member of the Aztec race where it’s common practice to smoke your crop of jalapeño peppers to preserve these spicy fruits – yes, they’re fruits – simply to preserve them.

In fact, so well did it preserve them that early European visitors to Mesoamerica were able to ship them home and, some time later, begin making their own chipotle BBQ sauce. 

What is chipotle?

It begins as a Jalapeño pepper, which is of course green before it ripens. But if you combine two Aztec words: chilli (a hot pepper) and poctli (smoke) you get a smoked pepper: a chipotle. 

This is a jalapeño pepper that’s been left on the vine to ripen, whereupon it turns a deep ruby red and develops a rich fruity sweetness that does much to contribute to its distinctive flavour when smoked, dried and used to spice up Mexican and Mexican-inspired cuisines.

How to make chipotle BBQ sauce.

The secret to making your own successful chipotle sauce is how you combine the chipotle peppers with the base and other ingredients.

The exact ingredients and proportions can vary depending on the recipe, but for your base use a good quality ketchup or tomato sauce

Typical additions to chipotle BBQ sauce will include brown sugar or molasses for sweetness, tangy apple cider vinegar, garlic and onion, cumin, paprika, a little Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper.

Simmer the mixture on a low heat until the ingredients thicken into a rich, smoky sauce.

What does chipotle sauce taste like?

The tangy sweetness of traditional BBQ sauce, combined with the smokiness of chipotle peppers will produce a uniquely spicy-hot and pungent taste experience that’s sure to add pizzazz to a wide range of dishes.

For true enthusiasts of hot pepper types, chipotle peppers score a modest 2,500 – 8000 on the Scoville Scale, which is actually towards the lower end of the heat spectrum.

With a tantalising balance of smokiness, sweetness and heat, we reckon you’ll find that chipotle sauce works flavoursome wonders whether you use it as a marinade for grilled meats, a topping for burgers, chicken, ribs, or pork chops, or a dipping sauce.

How do you pronounce chipotle?

It’s easy. Just say chup-oat-lay. Though interestingly enough, it might just help your pronunciation to first acquire and sample some of our new Cottage Delight Smoky Chipotle Barbecue Sauce.

Whether you’re grilling, roasting or dipping, our Smoky Chipotle Barbecue Sauce is the ultimate companion for those who crave a smoky and spicy kick.

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