For all the heat-seekers, you’re probably familiar with sriracha sauce, right?
Bottles of it is all the rage globally, with a bunch of companies whipping up their own versions.
But have you heard about Badia Sriracha? Yep, that’s right – it’s brought to you by the company called Badia Spices who’ve been doing their thing in the spice game since ’67.
Now, you might be wondering, “What’s the deal with Badia’s sriracha? Does it hold its own among other brands? Should I give it a shot?”
Well, in this article, we’re about to dive into the nitty-gritty of what sets Badia Sriracha apart from the rest.
And to keep things real, we’ll also sprinkle in some thoughts from those who’ve already sampled this fiery delight.
What Is Badai Sriracha And Where Is It Made?
Badia Sriracha is a type of sriracha sauce made with cayenne peppers and all the other stuffs you’ll normally find in a sriracha bottle, but it gives salt the cold shoulder which makes it stand out from the rest.
The geniuses behind it? None other than Badia Spices – a family business that’s been in the production game since 1967.
Badia Spices makes its home in sunny Florida, USA. This is where the magic happens and most of their spice and seasoning production takes place.
But they don’t just keep things local – they also shop globally for some unique flavors and ingredients.
Take Badia Sriracha, for instance. Although it wears the Badia badge, it’s not actually made in-house.
It’s got a bit of a travel backstory.
The cayenne peppers used for its production are grown, processed and put into pretty bottles over in Colombia. Then they’re dressed up with the Badia label and shipped off to the USA.
This method of sourcing and branding is pretty similar to what Trader Joe’s does: pulling their sriracha sauce all the way from Thailand.
What Are The Ingredients In Badia Sriracha Sauce?
Here’s a breakdown of what goes into a bottle of Badia Sriracha:
- Cayenne Chili Pepper: This is where most of the heat comes from. Cayenne peppers are well-known for their spiciness, and they’re the star of the show when it comes to Badia sriracha sauce
- Sugar: Sweetness is added to balance out the heat from the cayenne. It brings complexity to the flavor profile and takes the edge off the hot chili.
- Vinegar: Vinegar gives sriracha its signature tang or acid taste because it is a product of fermented alcohol. It also helps to mellow out the spiciness and adds a bit of zing that contrasts nicely with the sweetness.
- Spices: These are the secret agents that Badia Spices doesn’t want us to know. It’s not exactly clear what they are, but they work in the background to add depth and dimension to the flavor.
- Sodium Benzoate: This is a common preservative that helps to keep the sauce fresh and extend its shelf life by inhibiting the growth of mold and bacteria. It ensures that your sriracha stays good for as long as possible.
- Xanthan Gum: This little guy is a thickening agent. It helps give the sriracha sauce its rich, viscous consistency that clings so well to your food. It also helps to make the sauce smooth and uniform.
What Does Badai Sriracha Taste Like Compared to The Original Sriracha?
People who’ve tried Badia Sriracha tend to describe it as a hotter twist on the classic, dialing up the spice (a little bit) and packing a garlic punch.
It does have a fair bit of preservatives and thickeners, which some people aren’t too thrilled about, but it can be a hit for those who crave a little extra kick in their hot sauce.
On the other hand, Huy Fong, the original sriracha king, earns applause for its harmonious blend of flavors.
It offers just the right amount of heat, a satisfying texture, and a mild garlicky scent.
Plus, it’s a crowd-pleaser for those who prefer their sauces without any preservatives or thickeners.
So, in the “hot sauce” face-off between Badia Sriracha and Huy Fong, who’s the winner?
Well, it all comes down to your personal palate.
If you’re all about that extra heat and garlic, Badia might be your new best buddy.
But if you lean towards balanced flavors and natural ingredients, Huy Fong might still be your go-to.
Badia Sriracha Scoville
Alright, so let’s talk about how hot Badia Sriracha actually is.
When it comes to heat levels, we use something called the Scoville scale to measure it.
On this scale, Badia Sriracha scores between 1,000 to 2,500 Scoville heat units (SHUs).
This might sound like a lot, but in the world of spices, it’s actually pretty mellow compared to some other hot sauces out there.
Interestingly, this is the same range as Huy Fong Sriracha, the big dog in the US sriracha scene. So you might be thinking, “Wait, I thought you said Badia was spicier?”
Well, it does taste hotter.
This is due to differences in the chili peppers they use and how they’re produced.
Badia is crafted with cayenne peppers while Huy Fong goes with red jalapenos, but the former most likely has other ingredients in its “Spices” that contribute to a hotter taste.
This is why despite having the same Scoville rating, Badia Sriracha gives your taste buds a bit more of a spicy wakeup call.
What Is Badia Sriracha Sauce Good For?
Badia Sriracha can be used for many things actually!
Here are a few tasty ways to use Badia Sriracha:
- Fried food’s new BFF: Picture this – chicken nuggets, french fries, onion rings, or mozzarella sticks dunked in a combo of Badia Sriracha and mayo. You’re looking at a creamy, fiery dip that’ll make your taste buds dance.
- Marinade: Planning to grill or roast some chicken, pork, beef or seafood? Bathe those babies in Badia Sriracha and let them chill in the fridge for an hour or so before cooking. They’ll come out boasting a delectably spicy kick.
- Salad: Who said salads have to be boring? Mix up some Badia Sriracha with vinegar, oil, sugar, and salt for a punchy dressing. Drizzle it over coleslaw, potato salad, pasta salad – you name it. Instant zesty refreshment.
- Noodle Nudger: Whether it’s ramen, spaghetti, or rice noodles, a dash of Badia Sriracha and some butter or oil will take them to the next level. Your noodles will be singing with rich, savory flavor.
- Topping: Pizza, burgers, sandwiches, wraps – they’ll all thank you for a spread of Badia Sriracha. It’ll add a spicy, flavor-boosting layer that’ll take your favorite dishes up a notch.
So there you go, plenty of delicious ways to put your Badia Sriracha to good use.
Badia Sriracha Nutrition
Here’s a table showing the nutrition of Badia Sriracha:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 0 |
| Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 115 mg — 5% DV |
| Carbohydrates | 0g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Protein | 1g |
From above, you can see that Badia Sriracha is pretty light on calories, fat, carbs and sugar, with a small amount of sodium and protein thrown in the mix.
Is Badia Sriracha Gluten Free?
If you’re keeping an eye out for gluten, then good news for you, because Badia Sriracha is totally gluten-free!
None of its ingredients have any ties to wheat or gluten.
Even the vinegar used in its recipe is safe for those avoiding gluten.
On top of that, this sauce is also kosher-friendly and totally skips out on any MSG.
So if you’re following a kosher diet or avoiding MSG, you’re good to go with this one.
However, just a heads-up for those following a Halal diet, Badia Sriracha doesn’t meet the halal criteria.
So while it ticks a lot of boxes, it might not be the right fit for everyone.
How Much Does Badai Sriracha Cost? And Is It Cost Effective?
So you’re wondering about the cost of Badia Sriracha and if it’s a bang for your buck, huh?
Well, the price can shift a bit based on the bottle size and where you’re buying it from.
As of now, you can snag a 17oz bottle on Amazon for around $11.25, which is the lowest price I came across.
This is a bit pricier than other brands like Tabasco Sriracha or Dynasty Sriracha at certain stores.
Now, as to whether it’s worth the price tag, it really boils down to your personal preference.
For me, I’ve got to say that it doesn’t quite hit the mark. I’ve found that I prefer the taste of Dynasty and Tabasco Sriracha over Badia.
Plus, I can get a bigger bottle of those brands for less cash.
So for my money, Badia Sriracha isn’t the most cost-effective option.
But remember, taste is subjective!
What’s not quite my jam might be totally your cup of tea.
So, consider your personal preference and the price tag before you make the call!
