Welcome to the spicy world of hot sauce collecting, where taste buds ignite and adventurous eaters dive into the fiery depths of flavor. If you're a hot sauce enthusiast, you know that the quest for the ultimate hot sauce collection never ends. With so many varieties, flavors, and heat levels to choose from, it's a thrilling and tongue-tingling journey that can take your taste buds around the world. So, buckle up and let's explore the top tips for creating the ultimate hot sauce collection that will make you the envy of all your spice-loving friends.

Variety is the spice of life, and that's certainly true for hot sauces. Experiment with sauces made from different bases like vinegar, tomato, mustard, or even fruit. This will help you discover new flavors and textures to spice up your meals. Look for sauces emulsified with oil for a different finish. Our top tip to become a Hot Sauce Expert is to read the labels - the ingredients (and the order they are listed, which shows the quantities) really do give you all the answers.

From Jalapeño to Carolina Reaper, the world of chili peppers is vast and varied. Explore hot sauces made from different types of chili peppers to appreciate the unique flavors and heat profiles each one brings to the table.

Not only do certain countries favour their local chillis, but the also have their own unique styles and cuisines which the sauces compliment- You can see our hot sauce map here. Why not add some carribean sunshine from the traditional Gray's Scotch Bonnet sauce all the way from Jamaica. 

The Scoville scale (or SHU) measures the heat of chilli peppers and hot sauces. Start by including hot sauces from a range of Scoville ratings in your collection. Knowing which chillis are in your sauce will help you have a rough idea of the heat level - some sauces declare their SHU, other's their own subjective homemade heat scale. We recommend that the best collections include sauces from mild and Medium & tangy to fiery and intense Super Hots, so there's a hot sauce to suit every palate.

Here's some ideas of styles of hot sauces that every good collection should have represented:

• Fruity: Mango, pineapple, and peach are just a few examples of fruit-based hot sauces that add a sweet and tangy kick to your dishes. Why not try one of our most popular sauces the Pina Dulce made by Ricante Hot Sauce, and all the way from Costa Rica.
• Vegetable: Think beyond tomatoes and try sauces featuring carrots, beets, or even mushroom's like unusually, but delicious Morel's Revival by Paulman Acre all the way from California.
• Asian Style: Asian-inspired hot sauces like Sriracha bring a distinctive flavor to your collection. We love the authentic flavours of SD Thai BBQ Sauce, rich with seasame and a perfect meat marinade or dip.
• Mexican: Traditional Mexican hot sauces like Valentina add authenticity and depth to your dishes. Or why not try sauces from La Chipotlera made in Spain in the authentic Mexican style fermented hot sauces with the only chipotle oven in Europe - adding the authentic smokiness.
• Sweet Chili Dipping: Perfect for dipping or as a glaze, sweet chili sauce is a must-have in any hot sauce collection. Why not try this Thai Sweet Chillisauce by Melinda's
• Louisiana Style: Tangy, vinegar-based hot sauces like Tabasco are essential to recreate classic Southern dishes. Why not try this garlic sauce made by Panola in Louisana.
• Buffalo Style: Fiery and full of flavor, buffalo-style hot sauce is perfect for wings and dipping - it's traditionally made with butter, and we love the Rockys Hot Sauce smooth buttery flavour on our wings!
• Hot Honey: is a delightful combination of sweetness and heat. It's perfect for drizzling in Sandwiches, fried chicken, or even ice cream. Add a few hot honeys to your collection for a truly unique and versatile flavor experience. We love JD's XXtra Hot Honey on Pizza. 
• Chilli Crisp: A cupboard staple for heightening asian dishes, but great with just about anything - including levelling up your instant ramen. This 3 Star Great Taste award winner from Tonkotsu is a game changer.
• Chilli Jam: Try getting some Pure Chilli Mash and make your own chilli jam using our guide, or including something a little more unusual in your collection like this Pineapple & Japaleno Kelly's Jelly from Oregon. 
• Mustards: A different style of heat, hot mustards can be so versatile, from the sweet maple goodness of the spreadable Angry Goat Ghost Pepper Mustard, to the squeezy style of Pilsudski flavoured mustards that are perfect for hot dogs. Check out this USA made, Polish inspired brand  Pilsudski Mustards who make everything from Dill, Horseradish or even Bacon Jalapeno Mustard which we LOVE - and also offer great value. Mustards are so versatile ideal for sandwiches, vinaigrettes, and marinading meat.

Elevate your hot sauce collection with special labels, limited editions (why not try a signed Reaper Squeezin's from the man himself Smokin' Ed Curry officially the grower of the world's hottest chilli), or sauces from your favorite celebrities or chefs.

These unique bottles not only look great on display (Surely our most "bling bottle" is the Extra Hot White Truff Gift Pack), but they can also add some serious bragging rights to your collection. 

Creating the ultimate hot sauce collection is a fun and flavorful journey that knows no boundaries. By exploring different heat levels, bases, chili peppers, flavors, and unique bottles, you'll elevate your hot sauce game and become a true connoisseur.
So, go forth and let your taste buds guide you on this spicy adventure – and don't forget to have fun along the way! Send us pics of your hotsauce #Shelfie collection and tag us on the @slih.shop instagram.

p.s. Shout out to the ultimate collector Vic Clinco who has over 11,000 unqiue sauces in his collection which you can view here: https://youtu.be/vwKc3diVVNo