So dont just reach for the tabasco sauce when youre thinking hot. Edmund mcilhenney and the birth of a louisiana pepper sauce. Tabasco diamond reserve sauce celebrates 150 years for. While company legend attributes the invention of the sauce to mcilhenny, plantation owner maunsel white is believed to have been the first to cultivate and make a sauce from tabasco. An illustrated history is the first and only book about the mcilhenny family and company based on previously untapped documents in the mcilhenny company archives. While company legend attributes the invention of the sauce to mcilhenny. In short order, mcilhenny s descendants would turn tabasco into a gold mine, making it as ubiquitous as coke, kodak, and kleenex. It was here, on avery island, where edmund mcilhenny first developed his worldfamous recipe for tabasco original red pepper sauce. The worldfamous red tabasco sauce is the one and only original produced by mcilhenny. The mcilhenny company has just released a limitededition, smallbatch pepper sauce to commemorate its 150th anniversary. A seventh mcilhenny in a row runs the company, and you need to be part of the family clan to own land on the island.
Decades of competing recipes have only confirmed that the flavor of mcilhennys recipe could not be surpassed, and today tabasco original red. Some people in the chilihead community bash tabasco sauce because of its vinegary flavor and its low level of heat compared to other hot sauces on the. Tabasco brand products are made by mcilhenny company, founded by edmund mcilhenny in 1868 on avery island, louisiana. So edmund mcilhenny decided to create a pepper sauce to give the food some flavor and excitement. In his research of the mcilhenny family, rothfeder found that much of what has come to be accepted about the familys history and the origin of tabasco sauce is simply untrue. Nov 29, 2002 history of tabasco leftovers are a special part of thanksgiving, but sometimes, theyre in need of a little help. Many of the 200 employees live in rent subsidized cottages on the island as did their parents and grandparents. According to company legend, tabasco was first produced in 1868 by edmund mcilhenny, a marylandborn former banker who moved to louisiana around 1840 however, as jeffrey rothfeders book mcilhennys gold points out, some of the mcilhenny companys official history is disputed. Since tabasco is a trademarked name, similar sauces made by other companies are known as louisiana hot sauce. I thought it would be an in depth look at the ups and downs of a southern family. Tabasco sauce is the perfect solution whenever flavors need a lift. To distribute his, edmund mcilhenny initially obtained unused cologne bottles. Edmund mcilhenny sold his first bottles of tabasco sauce in 1869, ten years after maunsel whites first commercial bottle was sold in 1859.
The traditional story goes that tabasco sauce was created by edmund mcilhenny. The weird exception of early landed cognac hine series part 5 cold brew. The sauce, which comes in a champagnestyle bottle, is made with sparkling white wine vinegar and select tabasco. Beginning with edmund mcilhennys original handwritten recipe for tabasco brand original red sauce circa 1868, moving through the wildly adventurous. Browse our hot pepper sauces, gifts, home and kitchen items, and our tabasco brand apparel. Tabasco pepper sauce was named after the tabasco river in southern mexico by creator edmund mcilhenny because he liked the sound of the word.
Its rolling hills, ponds, egret rookeries, live oak forests, and swamps are home to such varied species of plants, flowers, and wildlife that it is truly a photographers paradise. Mcilhenny company author of from the land of tabasco sauce. Jun 17, 2014 though tabasco has stayed true to mcilhennys same chili pepperbased hot sauce recipe, the iconic label has, in recent years, added more to the companys repertoire in order to cater to. The surprisingly interesting history and production of. Made without artificial preservatives or gluten, this sauce goes great with all types of foods and is a staple item for spice lovers everywhere. Mcilhenny company is the author of from the land of tabasco sauce 4. It has been made by the mcilhenny company of lousiana, usa, since 1868. After the civil war ended, edmund mcilhenny, an ambitious and tenacious. A soldier gave them to him and said to try them in his food. Mcilhenny, grew up on semitropical avery island, louisiana, but had a fascination with the arctic, and went on two arctic expeditions in the 1890s. Oct 12, 2009 i worked out the recipe by looking at the official mcilhenny tabasco website which states thea ingredients.
A little heat, perhaps, from a product that has become as quintessentially. Tabasco sauce is an indispensable ingredient, and always on my kitchen counter. Avery island along the gulf coast, about 140 miles west of new orleans. Your receipe and article states that, like tabasco, you start with green chili peppers. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. With more than thirtyfive duotone photographs from the mcilhenny archives, the tabasco cookbook brings to life the history behind one of americas most classic ingredients. Edmund mcilhenny was given seeds of capsicum frutescens peppers that came from mexico or central america, and he first planted them on avery island, louisiana, over 140 years ago. In 1868, edmund mcilhenny mixed up his own personal pepper sauce recipe with three natural ingredients. Mcilhenny collection of natural history books at the louisiana state university libraries is named in his honor. Tabasco sauce was also an important element in the television series roswell about alienhuman hybrid teenagers who craved foods that were sweet and spicy and often carried bottles of tabasco sauce with them. According to company legend, tabasco was first produced in 1868 by edmund mcilhenny, a marylandborn former banker who moved to louisiana around 1840 however, as jeffrey rothfeders book mcilhenny s gold points out, some of the mcilhenny companys official history is disputed. Avery island by pam and edmund mcilhenny blurb books. The greatgrandson of edmund mcilhenny, who invented tabasco sauce after the civil war, paul carr polk mcilhenny was born in houston on march 19, 1944, with his twin sister, sara.
How to make your own homemade fermented tabasco sauce. Tabasco pepper sauce is made from a variety of pepper called capsicum frutescens, known for centuries in latin america and first recorded in 1493 by dr. Edward avery ned mcilhenny 18721949 find a grave memorial. For morning edition, nprs renee montagne reports on the epic history of tabasco, louisianas premier hot sauce.
It tracks the famous brand from its development the idea for the sauce was stolen. Former bloomberg news editor rothfeder every drop for sale. Chipotle root beer brine plus over 1,000 more tabasco recipes perfect for menu planning and everyday meals. Beginning with edmund mcilhennys original handwritten recipe for tabasco brand original red sauce circa 1868, moving through the wildly adventurous lives of his descendants, and finishing with the infiltration of tabasco into pop culture, its all here. A wellwritten account of the history of tabasco brand pepper sauce and the mcilhenny family that stewards it. Jan 27, 2020 some people in the chilihead community bash tabasco sauce because of its vinegary flavor and its low level of heat compared to other hot sauces on the market, but i personally have a huge amount of respect for the tabasco brand and mcilhenny company, as theyve been around since 1868 on avery island, louisiana, founded by edmund mcilhenny. The mcilhenny company is founded by edmund mcilhenny in avery island, louisiana and begins producing pepper sauce using chili peppers from the tabasco region of mexico. What you never knew about tabasco sauce tabasco sauce got its start after the civil war, when edmund mcilhenny of avery island, louisiana, began fermenting his red pepper plants in order to make a.
Edmund mcilhenny decided he could make a pepper sauce as good as marshs pepper sauce. Tabasco sauce is a tangy hot sauce made from tabasco chili peppers, vinegar and salt, then aged in wine barrels. Tabasco sauce got its start after the civil war, when edmund mcilhenny of avery island, louisiana, began fermenting his red pepper plants in order to make a spicy sauce. Edward avery ned mcilhenny 1872 1949, son of tabasco brand pepper sauce inventor edmund mcilhenny, was a louisiana businessman, explorer, and conservationist. It was here that he developed the recipe for tabasco original red pepper sauce thats been passed down from generation to generation. Edward avery mcilhenny, son of tabasco brand pepper sauce tycoon edmund mcilhenny, was an american businessman, explorer, bird bander and conservationist. Story of tabasco a spicy history with a sustainable twist. Apr 02, 2012 language english tags avery island, pam mcilhenny, edmund mcilhenny, louisiana, nature, photography, egret, tabasco.
After the civil war, edmund mcilhenny, a banker whose industry had been. Not exactly an island, its actually a three mile long salt dome surrounded by wet marsh land. Firefox, chrome, safari, edge firefox, chrome, safari, edge. Tabasco original red pepper sauce, the classic chilli sauce. Avery island is a natural paradise located in southern louisiana where the world famous tabasco brand pepper sauce has been produced by the mcilhenny family since 1868. Here the culture and history of the mcilhenny family run deep. When the network tried to cancel the series in the first season, thousands of fans mailed bottles of tabasco to the network to show. Holbrooks military school in sing sing now ossining, new york.
Ever since edmund mcilhenny introduced his soontobefamous pepper sauce in 1868. Tabasco is a brand of hot sauce made from tabasco peppers capsicum frutescens var. Pierre franey the world would be a much blander place without that familiar little red bottle with the white diamond label. The mcilhenny company, still run by a family of matchless characters who believe in a rigid code of family loyalty, clings to tradition and the old ways of doing business. It was here that he developed the recipe for tabascooriginal red pepper sauce thats been passed down from generation to generation. Whether you ask for it by name at restaurants or are one of the legions of people who travel with your own bottle, you know theres no substitute for giving eggs, oysters, and bloody marys a kick.
A delectable and satisfying read for both tabasco fans and business buffs, mcilhennys gold is the untold story of the. This chronicle examines the origin of tabasco sauce, from its postcivil war creation on avery island, louisiana, to its evolution into the gold standard of pepper. Tabasco sauce was invented in 1868 by edmund mcilhenny, a marylandborn former banker who had moved to louisiana around 1840. Edmund mcilhenny was an american businessman and manufacturer who founded the mcilhenny company, which was the first to mass produce tabasco sauce. The recipe originating from edmund mcilhenny in 1868 has been used by the mcilhenny family for over 150 years.
These days, there are green, sriracha and scorpion versions, among others. Born in hagerstown, maryland, in 1815, edmund mcilhenny moved to new orleans, louisiana, around 1840, finding work in the louisiana banking industry. After straining the resulting mixture through a series of sieves. Tabasco original red pepper sauce is made with three simple ingredients and aged in oak barrels for up to three years on avery island, louisiana, before bottling. Tabascobrand products are made by mcilhenny company, founded by edmund mcilhenny in 1868 on avery island, louisiana. Tabasco sauce was also an important element in the television series. Avery island is also the home of tabasco brand pepper sauce, which edmund s great grandfather invented in 1868. Well im here to show you a much quicker and simpler way but still pretty genuine way to make your own tabasco sauce.
When he returned from his second adventure in the far north, he assumed control of mcilhenny company and ran it for the next 51 years. Though tabasco has stayed true to mcilhennys same chili pepperbased hot sauce recipe, the iconic label has, in recent years, added more to the companys repertoire in order to cater to. The surprisingly interesting history and production of tabasco. Mcilhenny orders cologne bottles from a new orleans company to. Feb 25, 20 the greatgrandson of edmund mcilhenny, who invented tabasco sauce after the civil war, paul carr polk mcilhenny was born in houston on march 19, 1944, with his twin sister, sara. The authoritative cookbook on tabasco sauce from previous mcilhenny company ceo paul mcilhenny, featuring 80 recipes with your favorite pepper sauce in a newly revised edition. What you never knew about tabasco sauce smithsonian. In short order, mcilhennys descendants would turn tabasco into a gold mine, making it as ubiquitous as coke, kodak, and kleenex. And it was also here that the first tabasco country store came to life still thriving to this day, our unique location offers visitors the ultimate access to tabasco fan gear and collectibles.
By the time of the war between the states, he was a successful banker. And it was this mcilhenny who invented tabasco sauce. Tabasco original red pepper sauce, the classic chilli. Made from sweet chilis, thai spices, and red peppers from avery island.
Jan 01, 2007 very interesting book about the mcilhenny s family legacy. Aug 21, 2012 after they make the tabasco sauce, the spent peppers are sold to a pharmaceutical company that makes things like pepper spray and medicinal applications. Mcilhenny orders cologne bottles from a new orleans company to use as packaging for the product. The founder of tabasco sauce was edmund mcilhenny 18151890 who was a new orleans banker. What you never knew about tabasco sauce smithsonian magazine.
He established a private wildlife refuge around his family estate on avery island and helped in preserving a large coastal marshland in louisiana as a bird refuge. The mcilhenny company, still run by a family of matchless characters who believe in a rigid code of family loyalty, clings to. Mcilhenny saved the seeds and planted them in his wifes garden on avery island. Order mini tabasco red pepper sauce online chilishop24.
In the years before the civil war, edmund mcilhenny was a new orleans. In 1850s he was given some dried peppers that were acquired in mexico during the mexican american war. Tabasco sauce is an indispensable ingredient, and always on my. In this fascinating history, jeffrey rothfeder tells how, from a simple ideathe outgrowth of a handful of peppers planted on an isolated island on the gulf of mexicoa secretive family business emerged that would produce one of the bestknown products in the world. But the fanciest one on the list has just been introduced to celebrate the 150th. Great in lunchboxes, as gifts, at picnics or on the go, each mini bottle contains 3,7 ml. Nov 20, 2015 not far from lafayette, louisiana is avery island, home to where tabasco has been make since 1868. So many myths surround the family and its product, in fact, that even family members have found it. Mcilhenny was from maryland originally, but he moved to new orleans, louisiana to seek his fortune in about 1840. While company legend attributes the invention of the sauce to mcilhenny, plantation owner maunsel white is believed to have been the first to cultivate and make a sauce from tabasco peppers in the. Tabasco products are made by the mcilhenny company, founded by edmund mcilhenny in 1868 on avery island, louisiana. This chronicle examines the origin of tabasco sauce, from its postcivil war creation on avery island, louisiana, to its evolution into the gold standard of pepper sauces and a global culinary icon. For best compatibility, please use one of the following. Edmund mcilhenny was an american businessman and manufacturer who invented tabasco brand pepper sauce.
On his death in 1890, mcilhenny was succeeded by his eldest son, john avery mcilhenny, who expanded and modernized the business, but resigned after a few years to join theodore roosevelts rough riders volunteer cavalry. Shop tabasco products online tabasco country store. Tabasco sauce was dreamed up by edmund mcilhenny, an avery clan member by marriage, who moved to the area after losing everything in the civil war. Apr 23, 2018 tabasco releases small batch, diamond reserve pepper sauce for 150th anniversary. To this day, the company is still familyowned and operated on that very same island. So many myths surround the family and its product, in fact, that even family members have found it difficult to separate fact from fiction.
Internet explorer versions 11 and older are no longer officially supported by this website. He found his fortune by going into the banking business. Greatgreatgrandson of tabasco founder named new president and. Born in 1872 at avery island, louisiana, mcilhenny was educated by private tutors before attending dr.
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