Hot sauce is a popular condiment with a fresh and spicy taste that is suitable for a wide range of dishes. So how to make hot sauce from fresh peppers? The following is a detailed description of the production process of hot sauce, covering every critical step from the selection of raw materials to the packaging of the final product.
- Selection and handling of raw materials
Selection of Chili Peppers
To make high-quality hot sauce, the first step is to select high-quality chili peppers. Factories usually select different varieties of chili peppers according to market demand. The selected chili peppers must be fresh, bright in color, smooth on the surface, and free from rot or damage.
Cleaning and Sterilization
The factory will put the peppers into special washing equipment for thorough cleaning to remove soil, dust and other impurities. After cleaning, the peppers will be put into a sterilizing tank for sterilization to ensure food safety.
De-stemming and cutting
In order to make the subsequent processing smoother, chili peppers need to be de-stemmed and cut. The stems of the peppers are usually removed by automatic cutters, while the fruits are cut to a size suitable for subsequent processing.
2. Preliminary processing of chili peppers
Crushing and pulping
The cut peppers are put into the crusher for initial crushing to make them into smaller particles. The crushed peppers are then fed into a pulper to be further pulped into a puree. This step is to make the pepper’s spicy flavor and aroma better released and easy to mix with other ingredients.
Fermentation (optional)
Some hot sauce production processes include a fermentation step, which creates a more complex flavor in the hot sauce. The pureed, beaten chiles are placed in a fermentation jar with the proper amount of salt and other seasonings, and the fermentation time typically ranges from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the factory recipe. Fermentation helps break down the flavor substances in the peppers and makes the hot sauce more robust.
3.Seasoning & Ingredients
Addition of Seasoning
In the pepper puree or fermented pepper puree, the factory will add other seasonings such as salt, vinegar, garlic, sugar, etc. according to the recipe. Some hot sauces also add special spices to enhance the flavor.
Mixing and Cooking
After all the seasonings are added, the pepper puree is fed into a large blender for mixing. After blending, the hot sauce usually goes through a heating and cooking process, which not only allows the seasonings to blend well with the pepper puree, but also kills any harmful bacteria that may be present and extends the shelf life of the hot sauce.
4. Refinement and Concentration
Filtration and Refinement
In order to make the texture of the hot sauce more uniform, the factory will remove the skins, seeds and other impurities from the chili peppers through the filtration equipment to ensure that the hot sauce has a fine texture.
Concentration and Adjustment of Viscosity
If the hot sauce needs to reach a specific consistency, the factory will use the thickening equipment to further remove the excess water. Concentrated hot sauce is easier to store and has a more concentrated flavor.
5.. Filling and Packaging
Filling
The concentrated hot sauce will be dispensed into pre-sterilized bottles or jars through fully automated filling equipment. During the filling process, the factory will also strictly control the filling volume of the product to ensure that the portion of each bottle is consistent.
Sealing and Sterilization
After the filling of the hot sauce is completed, the bottles are immediately sealed and sent to the sterilizing equipment for the final high-temperature sterilization process. This step prevents mold and bacteria from growing in the bottles during storage.
Labeling and Packaging
After sterilization, the hot sauce will be cooled to room temperature, followed by labeling and packaging. The automatic labeling machine will apply the appropriate label according to the product type, and then the product will be sent to the packaging line to be packaged in full boxes and ready for shipment to the market.
From fresh peppers to delicious hot sauce, every step of the factory is filled with meticulous craftsmanship and strict management. The making of hot sauce is not only about the handling of raw chili peppers, but also about the careful crafting of the flavor. For the information of the hot sauce production line, contact sherry@machinehall.com