Australia’s hottest BBQ sauce

Australian chilli sauce specialist The Chilli Factory has developed what’s believed to be the nation’s hottest BBQ sauce. Scorpion Strike on Steroids was created after fans of the Chilli Factory’s original “stupidly hot” BBQ sauce, Scorpion Strike, called for more heat.

Scorpion Strike on Steroids uses specially grown Trinidad Scorpion chillies (pictured at top). These held the Guinness World Record as the world’s hottest chilli for almost three years. The sauce comes in at a staggering 2.25 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU – a measurement of the heat of chilli). That’s nearly one million SHUs hotter than the original Scorpion Strike.

Not for the faint-hearted

The Chilli Factory claims that Scorpion Strike on Steroids is currently the hottest BBQ sauce made in Australia. It uses chillies grown by independent farmers from the NSW Central Coast to Far North Queensland.

“The Scorpion Strike on Steroids is best used sparingly; it’s certainly not meant for the faint-hearted,” warns Daniel Morgan, The Chilli Factory Director. “It’s perfect for adding to marinades or stir-fries, brushing over barbecued meats or sprinkling on a burger.”

Hot stuff, coming through

The Chilli Factory has won more than 165 awards. The company prides itself on producing high-quality, Australian-grown, authentic chilli products made from all-natural ingredients. The products also contain no artificial colours, flavours, preservatives or MSG.

“We have a wide range of chilli products suitable for all tastes, from the tame to the totally wild,” Morgan says. “At The Chilli Factory, we draw inspiration from around the world as well as our own backyard. We want to inspire Australians to be adventurous and put a spicy twist on their everyday favourites. For those who like a mild chilli, there’s Numbat Nibble. Funnelweb Bite is a hot sweet chilli and Dragon’s Blood is really hot stuff.”

The benefits of chilli

As Australians become increasingly adventurous in the kitchen, more of us are experimenting with using chilli in our cooking at home. But these punchy peppers don’t just add an extra flavour kick to meals. They can also offer a number of health benefits.

Chilli and immunity

Due to their high vitamin content – specifically vitamins A to C – chillies have long been valued as a powerful immunity booster. The spiciness of chilli helps to clear congestion, moving germs and irritants out of your body… Hence the runny nose and streaming eyes that so many spicy food lovers are happy to contend with. Vitamin C not only has anti-inflammatory properties; it’s also important for wound healing.

Chilli and weight loss

Chilli may help with weight loss by reducing cravings for sweet and fatty foods as well as boosting satiety. Due to chillies’ capsaicin levels, some researchers have reported that eating chilli can temporarily speed up your metabolism and increase fat oxidation.

Chilli and heart health

Recent research undertaken by the American Heart Association found that people who eat chilli peppers may live longer. The research, which included an analysis of diet and mortality data from four large international studies, showed that consumption of chilli peppers may reduce the relative risk of cardiovascular disease mortality by 26 percent.

The Chilli Factory range includes sauces, seeds, chutneys and pastes. To find a stockist near you, head to thechillifactory.com/outlets