Flatiron Pepper Co. has built a reputation for creating unique and fiery pepper blends. While not strictly a hot sauce manufacturer, their dried pepper flake mixes offer a versatile alternative for spice enthusiasts. Their products showcase a variety of peppers, including Jalapeno, Habanero, Ghost Pepper, and Carolina Reaper, delivering intense heat and complex flavors.
The company’s offerings cater to different heat preferences, from milder options to extreme blends like “I Can’t Feel My Face.” This ultra-hot mix combines some of the world’s spiciest peppers, providing a smoldering, smoky experience with fruity notes. Flatiron Pepper Co.’s products have gained popularity among those seeking to elevate their culinary creations beyond traditional red pepper flakes.
History of Flatiron Pepper Co
Flatiron Pepper Co emerged from a simple question about pizza toppings and grew into a specialized spice company. The founders’ focus on quality chile peppers and unique blends helped establish their market presence.
Founding and Philosophy
Flatiron Pepper Co was founded in Colorado by Matt and Mike, two co-workers who shared a passion for pizza. During a lunch outing, they pondered the origins of red pepper flakes used on pizza. This curiosity sparked an idea to create high-quality pepper blends.
The company’s philosophy centers on using the best chile peppers from around the world. They prioritize flavor first, then heat, ensuring each blend delivers both taste and spice. This approach sets Flatiron apart in the competitive hot sauce and spice market.
Growth and Market Presence
Flatiron Pepper Co quickly gained recognition for its innovative dry chile pepper blends. The company expanded its product line beyond pizza toppings, offering versatile seasonings for various dishes including stir-fries, pasta, and steak.
Their focus on quality ingredients and flavor profiles helped Flatiron establish a strong market presence. The brand became part of a growing trend in Colorado, pushing dried chile-pepper blends to new heights of popularity and taste.
Flatiron’s success stems from its commitment to using non-GMO ingredients and creating unique flavor combinations. This attention to detail and quality has helped the company carve out a niche in the competitive spice and seasoning industry.
Types Of Peppers Used
Flatiron Pepper Co utilizes a diverse range of peppers in their hot sauce blends, each contributing unique flavors and heat levels. These peppers vary significantly in their Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) ratings, offering options for mild to extreme heat preferences.
Habanero Peppers
Habanero peppers are a key ingredient in many Flatiron Pepper Co blends. These small, lantern-shaped peppers pack a significant punch, with SHU ratings ranging from 100,000 to 350,000. Habaneros offer a fruity, citrusy flavor profile alongside their intense heat.
The bright, tangy notes of habaneros complement other ingredients well, making them versatile for various sauce combinations. Their heat builds gradually, providing a slow burn that many hot sauce enthusiasts appreciate.
Jalapeno
Jalapenos are a milder option in Flatiron Pepper Co’s lineup, with SHU ratings between 2,500 and 8,000. These medium-sized, green peppers offer a fresh, vegetal flavor with a manageable heat level.
Jalapenos contribute a balanced heat and flavor to blends, making them ideal for those who prefer a more subtle spiciness. Their crisp, green pepper taste adds depth to sauces without overpowering other ingredients.
Ghost Pepper
Ghost peppers, also known as Bhut Jolokia, are one of the hotter options used by Flatiron Pepper Co. With SHU ratings ranging from 855,000 to 1,041,427, these peppers deliver extreme heat.
Despite their intensity, ghost peppers offer a complex flavor profile. They provide a slow-building heat accompanied by smoky, earthy notes. Ghost peppers are typically used sparingly in blends to add depth and intense spiciness.
Scorpion
Scorpion peppers, particularly the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion variety, are among the hottest peppers used by Flatiron Pepper Co. These peppers boast SHU ratings of 1,200,000 to 2,000,000, placing them near the top of the heat scale.
Scorpion peppers offer a fruity, sweet flavor initially, followed by an intense, long-lasting burn. Their extreme heat is often balanced with other ingredients to create complex, fiery blends.
Carolina Reaper
The Carolina Reaper holds the title of the world’s hottest pepper, with SHU ratings averaging 1,500,000 to 2,200,000. Flatiron Pepper Co uses this pepper sparingly in their most extreme heat blends.
Despite its fearsome reputation, the Carolina Reaper offers a sweet, fruity flavor before its intense heat kicks in. It’s used to create ultra-hot sauces that appeal to heat enthusiasts and extreme spice lovers.
Hatch Valley Green
Hatch Valley Green chiles, grown in New Mexico, offer a milder heat profile compared to other peppers used by Flatiron Pepper Co. These peppers have SHU ratings ranging from 1,000 to 8,000, providing a subtle heat.
Hatch Valley Green chiles are prized for their rich, earthy flavor with slight smoky notes. They add depth and complexity to blends without overwhelming heat, making them ideal for more delicate flavor profiles.
Product Range
Flatiron Pepper Co offers a diverse selection of spicy products to suit various tastes and heat preferences. Their range includes flavorful hot sauces, premium pepper flakes, and unique spice blends.
Hot Sauces
Flatiron Pepper Co’s hot sauce line features bold flavors and varying heat levels. Their sauces incorporate a mix of peppers like jalapeño, habanero, and ghost pepper. Some popular options include a Four Pepper Blend sauce and a Smoky Chipotle variety. These sauces add kick to dishes while enhancing flavor profiles.
Flatiron emphasizes using high-quality ingredients without artificial additives. Each sauce has a distinct Scoville heat rating, helping customers choose their preferred spice level. The company focuses on balancing heat with taste, ensuring their sauces complement rather than overpower foods.
Pepper Flakes
Pepper flakes form the core of Flatiron Pepper Co’s product line. They offer a range of flake blends showcasing different pepper varieties. Popular options include their signature Four Pepper Blend and the intense “I Can’t Feel My Face” mix.
These flakes provide a fresher, more flavorful alternative to standard red pepper flakes. Flatiron sources peppers from around the world, including jalapeño, habanero, ghost pepper, and Carolina Reaper. Their blends often combine peppers for complex flavor profiles.
The company provides Scoville ratings for each blend, ranging from mild to extremely hot. This helps customers select the right spice level for their palate.
Spice Blends
Flatiron Pepper Co extends beyond pepper flakes with their spice blend offerings. These mixes combine pepper flakes with other seasonings for versatile flavor enhancement. Popular blends include Sweet Heat, which balances spiciness with a touch of sweetness.
Their spice blends cater to various culinary applications, from barbecue rubs to popcorn seasonings. Each blend is crafted to provide a unique flavor profile while maintaining the company’s focus on heat and quality.
Flatiron avoids using fillers or artificial ingredients in their spice blends. This ensures customers get pure, potent flavors in every shake. The blends come in convenient shaker bottles for easy use in cooking or as table condiments.
Signature Products
Flatiron Pepper Co offers a range of distinctive hot sauces and pepper blends that cater to spice enthusiasts. Their signature products showcase bold flavors and varying heat levels.
‘I Can’t Feel My Face’ Hot Sauce
This intensely spicy sauce lives up to its name. It features a blend of some of the world’s hottest peppers, including the Moruga Scorpion. The sauce delivers extreme heat with a complex flavor profile.
Despite its high Scoville rating, ‘I Can’t Feel My Face’ maintains a balance between heat and taste. It’s not just about burning tongues – the sauce offers fruity notes and a slight smokiness.
Ideal for those seeking an intense spicy experience, this product is often used as a flavor enhancer for various dishes. A little goes a long way, making it a long-lasting addition to any hot sauce collection.
Four Pepper Blend Flakes
The Four Pepper Blend exemplifies Flatiron Pepper Co’s commitment to flavor complexity. This versatile seasoning combines four different pepper varieties, each contributing its unique characteristics.
The blend typically includes jalapeno, habanero, ghost pepper, and one other variety, creating a multi-dimensional heat profile. It offers a mix of fresh, smoky, and fruity notes alongside the spiciness.
These flakes are perfect for sprinkling on pizzas, pasta, or grilled meats. They provide a convenient way to add both heat and depth to dishes without altering their texture or consistency.
‘Habanero Heat’ Sauce
‘Habanero Heat’ focuses on the distinctive flavor of habanero peppers. This sauce balances the fruity, slightly citrusy taste of habaneros with a significant kick of heat.
While not as extreme as ‘I Can’t Feel My Face’, ‘Habanero Heat’ still packs a punch. It’s designed for those who enjoy a serious burn but also appreciate the unique flavor profile of habanero peppers.
The sauce works well as a marinade, a dipping sauce, or a cooking ingredient. Its versatility makes it a popular choice among Flatiron Pepper Co’s product lineup for spicy food enthusiasts.
Heat Levels and Scoville Ratings
The Scoville scale measures the spiciness of peppers and hot sauces. Different pepper varieties have distinct heat levels, ranging from mild to extremely hot.
Understanding the Scoville Scale
The Scoville scale quantifies the concentration of capsaicin in peppers and sauces. It uses Scoville Heat Units (SHU) to rate heat levels. Mild peppers like bell peppers have 0 SHU, while extremely hot varieties can exceed 2 million SHU.
Common hot sauces fall within specific ranges:
- Mild: 100-2,500 SHU
- Medium: 2,500-30,000 SHU
- Hot: 30,000-100,000 SHU
- Very Hot: 100,000-300,000 SHU
- Extremely Hot: 300,000+ SHU
Popular sauces like Tabasco rate around 2,500-5,000 SHU. Hotter options like habanero-based sauces can reach 100,000-350,000 SHU.
Comparative Heat of Pepper Varieties
Pepper varieties span a wide range of heat levels:
- Bell Pepper: 0 SHU
- Jalapeño: 2,500-8,000 SHU
- Cayenne: 30,000-50,000 SHU
- Habanero: 100,000-350,000 SHU
- Ghost Pepper: 855,000-1,041,427 SHU
- Scorpion: 1,200,000-2,000,000 SHU
- Carolina Reaper: 1,500,000-2,200,000 SHU
The Carolina Reaper currently holds the record for hottest pepper. Ghost peppers and Scorpion peppers are also extremely hot varieties used in some specialty sauces.
Health Benefits of Spicy Foods
Spicy foods offer several potential health benefits. Research suggests they may boost metabolism and aid in weight management. The compound capsaicin, found in peppers, can increase calorie burning.
Spicy foods may also have anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies indicate they could help reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases. Capsaicin has shown promise in pain relief for conditions like arthritis.
These foods may support heart health by potentially lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Some evidence suggests spicy food consumption is associated with reduced risk of heart disease.
Spicy foods can stimulate the digestive system. They may increase saliva production and gastric juices, potentially aiding digestion. Contrary to popular belief, moderate spicy food intake might even help prevent ulcers.
Capsaicin in peppers may have antimicrobial properties. This could help fight certain harmful bacteria in the digestive tract. However, more research is needed to fully understand this effect.
Consuming spicy foods may also boost mood. The body releases endorphins in response to the heat, potentially creating a sense of pleasure or mild euphoria.
While these benefits are promising, it’s important to consume spicy foods in moderation. Individual tolerance and digestive sensitivities should be considered when incorporating them into one’s diet.
Culinary Applications
Flatiron Pepper Co offers versatile products that enhance a wide range of dishes. Their pepper flakes and spice blends add depth, heat, and complexity to both cooking and finishing applications.
Cooking with Hot Sauce
Flatiron Pepper Co’s hot sauces elevate marinades, dressings, and dips. A few dashes in barbecue sauce amplify its smoky notes. Mixing the sauce into mayonnaise creates a spicy aioli for sandwiches or fries.
For a zesty twist, cooks incorporate the hot sauce into meat glazes. It pairs well with grilled chicken, pork, or shrimp. Adding it to soups and stews near the end of cooking infuses them with heat without overwhelming other flavors.
Adventurous chefs use the sauce to spice up unlikely dishes. A small amount mixed into chocolate ganache creates a surprising dessert with subtle heat.
Incorporating Pepper Flakes and Spices
Flatiron’s pepper flakes and spice blends shine in dry rubs for meats. Their Four Pepper Blend, containing habanero, jalapeño, arbol, and ghost pepper, creates a complex crust on steaks or ribs.
Sprinkling these blends over pizza, pasta, or roasted vegetables adds instant flavor. The Ancho blend imparts a mild, fruity heat to dishes. For bolder tastes, the Cayenne or Ghost Pepper flakes deliver intense spiciness.
Bakers incorporate the milder blends into bread doughs or pie crusts for a savory kick. The spices also enhance pickled vegetables, adding depth to the brine.
Purchasing and Shipping
Flatiron Pepper Co offers convenient options for buying their hot sauce products. The company provides straightforward shipping policies to ensure customers receive their orders promptly.
Available Purchase Options
Flatiron Pepper Co sells their hot sauces through multiple channels. Customers can buy directly from the company’s website, which offers the full range of products. The website frequently features promotions and discounts.
Major online retailers like Amazon also stock Flatiron Pepper Co items. This gives shoppers additional purchasing flexibility and the ability to combine orders with other items.
Select physical stores carry Flatiron Pepper Co hot sauces. Specialty food shops and gourmet grocers often include these products in their spice sections.
Shipping Policies
Flatiron Pepper Co ships to addresses within the United States. Orders over a certain amount qualify for free shipping, which can save customers money on larger purchases.
The company uses reliable carriers to deliver packages. Most orders ship within 1-2 business days of being placed.
Customers can track their shipments using the provided tracking numbers. This allows for easy monitoring of package progress.
For international customers, Flatiron Pepper Co offers global shipping options. Additional fees may apply for orders sent outside the U.S.
The company takes care to package products securely. This helps prevent damage during transit and ensures hot sauces arrive intact.
Customer Engagement and Reviews
Flatiron Pepper Co has garnered significant attention from spicy food enthusiasts. Many customers praise the company’s unique pepper blends and high-quality ingredients.
Reviews often highlight the bold flavors and versatility of Flatiron’s products. The Four Pepper Blend receives particular acclaim, with users reporting they use it on a wide variety of dishes.
Customer service appears to be a strong point for the company. Reviewers appreciate the personal touch and responsiveness of the Flatiron Pepper Co team.
The company’s YouTube videos, showcasing pepper production, have been well-received by customers. This content helps build trust and educates consumers about the products.
Some popular Flatiron Pepper Co blends mentioned in reviews include:
- Four Pepper Blend
- Hatch Valley
- Dark and Smoky
- Asian Reds
Customers frequently note keeping spare bottles on hand, indicating satisfaction and repeat purchases. The spice blends are often described as versatile, enhancing various cuisines from pasta to pizza.
While most feedback is positive, some users have expressed preferences for specific discontinued blends. This suggests an engaged customer base that closely follows the company’s product offerings.
Overall, reviews indicate that Flatiron Pepper Co has successfully carved out a niche in the spicy food market, with many customers becoming loyal advocates for the brand.