The Devil's Garden - Spice is the way of life!

Dave's Not So Insane Sauces

2012-02-08T06:03:00.001-08:00

Insanity Sauce, two words that helped make the Dave’s brand so infamous. Crowned Hottest Sauce in The World during the nineties, Dave’s Insanity Sauce became the only sauce to ever be banned from the National Fiery Food Show.

The Dave’s brand is not just about insanely hot sauces. Although you won’t find all of his sauces on the supermarket shelves, you can buy them at The Devil’s Garden. In fact, we have an array of speciality sauces from Dave’s Gourmet range that contain fresh ingredients and simply ooze unique scents and flavours. From sweet Ginger & Peach to Hurtin’ Jalapeno, there’s a huge variety of flavours to choose from. Dave’s Jammin’ Jerk, Crazy Caribbean, Hurtin’ Habanero, Scotch Bonnet, and our personal favourite, Roasted Red Pepper and Chipotle.

There is a Dave’s sauce to suit every palette. But you won’t find these speciality sauces on the supermarket shelves; it will take a visit to The Devil’s Garden if you wish to honour your pantry cupboard with their presence...

Cambridge Chilli Farm Hot Sauces

2012-02-06T07:51:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a varied selection of chilli sauces from a quality brand that can be trusted then look no further: Cambridge Chilli Farm is the one.

Ran entirely by a guy who seems to think that sleep is for when you're dead, Cambridge Chilli Farm is everything a chilli brand should be and more.

It would take much too long to try and describe Cambridge Chilli Farm’s products and more particularly chilli sauces such as Lemon Drop, Smokey Chipotle, Sweet Chilli Sauce and the most famous of all: Ghost Pepper 10 Hot Sauce.

So instead we'll just tell you that each of these chilli sauces has got a unique flavour with a heat level that is cleverly balanced out throughout and a lot more than pure craftsmanship is put into each one of them although that is for you to decide ultimately.

It is rare to find such a flawless chilli brand and selection of accomplished hot sauces as well as chilli chutneys so put all of your trust and support in what is still a relatively up and coming chilli producer and help it reach the heights it deserves!

Chilli Seeds for a new Season

2012-02-03T01:35:00.000-08:00

Even in the colder parts of the United Kingdom it is possible to grow your own chilli peppers from seed, January to February is the perfect time for planting. Although your chilli seeds can be planted any time until May, getting an early start will give your plants more time be ripe for the summer.

When you purchase your chilli seeds from The Devil’s Garden, you can rest assured that you will receive quality chilli seeds, and with free delivery too! All our seeds are from DEFRA registered suppliers to make sure you get the best chance of growing a successful chilli plant crop.

To help your plants produce a better yield we also stock ‘Chilli Focus’, a nutritional feeding program from Growth Technology which is designed to assist your plants in producing bountiful colourful yields.

We keep a large stock of chilli seeds from the Black Hungarian to the Fatalli Chilli. In with all the usual suspects, Jalapeno, Anaheim, Scotch Bonnet and the like... we also have a selection of seeds from unusual plants such as Bishops Crown and Habanero Chocolate. No matter which chilli plant you’re looking for, it’s likely to be here at The Devil’s Garden.

Sinful Sauces Spreads

2012-02-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

Tired of the same old jam? Want something a bit different that can answer your sweet cravings as well as give you a chilli fix?

You'll be spoilt for choice with Sinful Sauces chilli spreads whether you go for the Chilli Chocolate & Hazelnut, Chilli Peanut Butter or Chilli Cashew Nut Butter.

All of a great consistency, they rival and easily surpass other popular and well established brands that have been on the market for years. The heat is just right, creeping up as you go along, leaving no corners of your mouth untamed. And as for flavour, well, it is hard to stay impartial but we would say that Sinful Sauces Chilli Peanut Butter and Chilli Cashew Nut butters are definitely one of the best chilli spreads we have ever had whilst Sinful Sauces Chilli Chocolate & Hazelnut is now taking pride of place in our cupboard although it stays out more than it stays in it's that good!

The Sinful Sauces chilli spread trilogy is perfect as a comfort food and also much more healthy than all the over-sweetened chemical supermarket poor-excuses-for-chocolate-or-nut-spreads so the important question is: what are you waiting for?

Sinful Sauces - Pickles

2012-01-24T03:25:00.000-08:00

It is easy to see why Sinful Sauces, a brand that is relatively young in the chilli world, created such a stir when it first came to light. With an attractive presentation, a refreshing attitude from its owners and an originality envied by many, it is a brand that we hope is here to stay for a long while, especially since we are absolute addicts of chilli sauces such as Envy, Wicked or Bliss, part of the Sinful Sauces "7 Deadly Sins" collection of hot sauces.

Sinful Sauces has created many more products to tempt the masses from the great Chilli Peanut Butter or Chilli Chocolate and Hazelnut Spread to innovative chilli pickles, namely Sinful Sauces Habanero & Cardamom, Sinful Sauces Scotch Bonnet & Pomegranate and the already notorious Sinful Sauces Naga and Mustard.

All these chilli pickles have one thing in common: quality ingredients, although we would also add that they have incredible flair, great heat and fantastic taste. All of them have got more than 80% chilli content in them, something that is not easy to find in most chilli products and although the 110ml jar might be seen as small from some customers, the flavour and heat are so intense that the jar actually lasts you a while so really we just cannot fault any of these chilli pickles from Sinful Sauces and recommend them highly to anybody who likes to get good value for money and seeks a great combination of taste and spice.

Satan's Spawn - Habanero Gummi Bears

2012-01-21T06:10:00.000-08:00

Over the years a The Devil's Garden we have seen pretty weird chilli related items so really it was only a matter of time before chilli manufacturers went all out and touched an area that some might consider sacred: the world of sweets.

Chilli gummy bears have been around for a while now but they are still an item difficult to get so we were thrilled when Hot Headz started producing their own version and although we kind of knew what to expect we didn't actually realise what we were getting ourselves into!

On the outside of course these lovely orange-coloured chilli gummy bears look the picture of innocence but do not be fooled! These angelic little cherubs definitely have a good set of teeth and their habanero chilli bite is the kind that leaves marks for a while...

Of course we have to mention their evil chilli character but to be fair they also do have a sweet side... or at least a fruity one! Hot Headz uses fruit concentrate that contains grape, apple and apricots so it is a lovely sweet taste that develops after popping a few of these bad boys into your mouth, although you soon decide (yet again) to never have another one ever again. But just like alcohol or cigarettes, Hot Headz habanero chilli gummy bears are truly addictive despite their devilish nature and will carry on taunting you until you reach for the bag again (250g)!

CaJohn's Select Puree's

2012-01-20T23:46:00.000-08:00

Cajohns Fiery Foods is a US brand that has been around since the 90’s although John Hard the man behind the brand decided to take the reins of his every increasing chilli empire in 2004 with numerous international, national and regional awards to be proud of. Cajohns Fiery Foods now has over 150 products from chilli salsas to hot sauces of course, barbecue sauces and chilli mustards to suit the most difficult and chilli heat resistant palate. His range of chilli purees has long been acclaimed and is aptly named “Cajohn’s Select Chilli Purees”.

The ones any self-proclaimed chilli addict or even chilli beginner should get their hands on are the ones representing families of chillies at their best we mean the famous habanero, the deathly fatalii, the smoky chipotle and the fragrant (and mildest of the lot) Serrano chilli pepper.

Each bottle of chilli puree from Cajohn’s Select Range deserves to be called “puree” rather than simply “hot sauce” as more than 80% of the bottle is crammed full with each particular type of chilli therefore offering the general public a selection for them to choose from, from mild to wild, from savoury to fruity and from gorgeous to insane!

Blair's Extreme Hot Sauces!

2012-01-18T23:39:00.000-08:00

Blair's has been around since 1989 so it's no wonder it is now one of the major leading brands in the chilli world.

Blair's superhot trinity of hot sauces in a compilation of sweet and savoury chilli sauces that will make any chilli head exult with joy thanks to its heat of course but also because of its flavour.

The mildest of the trilogy is Blair's Sudden Death Hot Sauce which is made using the fruity habanero, and some cayenne chilli pepper, but also clover honey and ginseng as well as of course a good glug of chilli extract. Many a grown man has been reduced to tears by Blair's Sudden Death Hot Sauce so it is definitely something to handle with care!

Blair's Mega Death, the middle child also has the same base ingredients of habanero and cayenne but is a sweeter sauce thanks to molasses, ginger and surprisingly guava nectar and ancho chillies to complement the flavour and only 550 000 Scoville Heat Units to boost things up!

The last evil sprog of the Blair's Trinity is Blair's Ultra Death chilli sauce which has scared more than one chilli head. This is like pure liquid fire going down your throat. Here again we find habaneros, cayenne but also tomato puree, piri-piri chillies and the beloved Naga Jolokia and this time just above 1 100 000 Scoville Heat Units!

All we know is that we love them all, a feeling matched by a lot of Blair's fans and we definitely can see why!

Eaton’s Jamaican Jerk Seasonings

2012-01-16T05:55:00.000-08:00

The weather hasn’t been the best for outdoor barbecues these past few weeks/months in the UK but this hasn’t stopped the Devil’s Garden’s team from enjoying great BBQ chilli sauces and various chilli mixes and seasonings such as Bad Byron’s Butt Rub.

One of our favourite chilli products at the moment is Eaton’s Jamaican Jerk Seasonings. A mild and a hot version are available (we tend to go for the hot one to be perfectly honest...) which means that everybody can enjoy the great jerky flavour.

Eaton’s Jamaican Jerk Seasonings are not to be mistaken for a chilli sauce though. This type of chilli seasoning is more like a chunky coating to use as a marinade rather than a sauce. Eaton’s Jamaican Jerk Seasonings are so pungent that you only need a little bit to produce a big result and you only need about 30 minutes of marinating time for meat, vegetable or fish to take on the flavour.

Although a tad on the salty side (but then again we don’t generally use a lot of salt at The Devil’s Garden) Eaton’s Jamaican Jerk Seasonings are truly delectable. The smell of the spring onion is the first thing that hits you, quickly followed by an intriguing mix of spices and herbs. We absolutely love to marinade some diced chicken in it and grill as kebabs but have also used Eaton’s Jerk Seasonings as a topping for pork chops and with steamed fish.

We would definitely recommend Eaton’s Jamaican Jerk Seasonings to everybody as this is a very versatile product that doesn’t only rely on chillies to make it work. So get your hands on a jar or try some other Eaton’s products such as the delicious Jamaican Jerk Hot Sauce or Eaton’s Original Jamaican Jerk Barbecue Sauce!

Bim's Kitchen - Awesome African Inspired Products

2011-09-01T02:20:00.000-07:00

Bim’s Kitchen is a brand we had long been waiting for. We get approached quite a lot by people trying to make it into the chilli world but a lot of them are considering it as a hobby. For Bim’s Kitchen it truly is a lifestyle.

Intent on bringing good quality chilli sauces, chutneys, spice mixes, chilli pastes and curry sauces with a twist to the general public, Bim’s Kitchen have created a fantastic range and we cannot wait for you to try it.

Bim’s Kitchen uses specific ingredients as a base to make most of their products then adding various components to make them individuals such as Bim’s Kitchen African Melon Seed Curry Sauce. Our knees truly buckled under the incredible flavour of Bim’s Kitchen African Bean & Nut Curry Sauce which isn’t that spicy but oh so tasty!

Bim’s Kitchen’s chilli sauces and pastes are without a doubt one of the best ones out there, some really potent such as Bim’s Kitchen Smokin Red Hot Sauce, others are fantastic for their flavour such as Bim’s Kitchen’s African Lemon, Garlic & Pepper Sauce. The boss has certainly developed an unhealthy fixation on Bim’s Kitchen products and we literally have to pry them out of his hands so he doesn’t eat all of our stock!

One thing you should definitely try is Bim’s Kitchen’s African Spice & Herb Rub on roast chicken. It is really out of this world and brings a whole new dimension to the dish. It also really works on new potatoes with a knob of butter.

We could go on and on for hours about Bim’s Kitchen’s products but we’d rather let your tastebuds convince you so get your hands on Bim’s Kitchen Spicy African Ketchup, BBQ sauce, African Lemon, Garlic & Pepper Sauce or their African Chilli Coconut Sauce.

REVIEW - Cambridge Chilli Farm Habanero Gold

2011-07-18T00:28:00.000-07:00

We first discovered Cambridge Chilli Farm’s Habanero Gold Chilli Jam at the West Dean Chilli Fiesta last year. We already had an established contact with Tim, the man behind the brand but meeting him in person definitely cemented our relationship as he is a really nice man, passionate about all things chilli related and is keen to show himself in his chilli products.

Ghost Pepper 10 chilli sauce is a prime example. Extremely hot, but so tasty, Cambridge Chilli Farm’s Ghost Pepper 10 hot sauce is fantastic when used in cooking or on cheese on toast although again, this chilli sauce is not for the faint-hearted!

Cambridge Chilli Farm’s Habanero Gold Chilli Jam is great because it of course uses the habanero chilli pepper which has a very distinct flavour. It is usually one of the hottest chilli peppers out there but Cambridge Chilli Farm counteract this by using apricots and apples in Habanero Gold Chilli Jam.

Cambridge Chilli Farm’s Habanero Gold Chilli Jam is great as a glaze for pork or chicken but we have to admit that we also use it quite a lot for breakfast on a nice piece of thick toast. Cambridge Chilli Farm’s Raspberry & Chilli Jelly is also a chilli preserve that we tend to use for breakfast or afternoon tea, especially on freshly baked scones!

Cambridge Chilli Farm is a great brand that keeps going from strength to strength so make sure to be part of the original followers and get your hands on some of its Habanero Gold Chilli Jam as soon as possible so you don’t miss out!

Butt Rub at Grillstock

2011-07-14T00:40:00.000-07:00

Gristock is fast becoming an unmissable event in the UK and is certainly the biggest BBQ and Music Festival in Bristol. Grillstock took place on the 2nd and 3rd July this year and had varied acts, cabaret and magic going on, live music and of course a hellish chilli eating competition!

We at the Devil’s Garden wanted to mention this event as one of our brands, Bad Byron won numerous awards at this year’s event. We were told us that Bad Byron was all the rage in America so we decided to try it and haven’t looked back since. The demand is very high for this spice mix and is a definite bestseller at the Devil’s Garden.

So without further ado, here are the awards that Bad Byron won at the 2011 Grillstock:

1st prize for Best Chicken, 1st prize or Best Pork Shoulder, 1st prize for Best Brisket, 1st prize for Best Ribs and overall King of the Grill! Bad Byron also won 1st prize for Best Dessert which was a crock pot chocolate cake.

Bad Byron has been around since the early 90’s so they definitely know what they are doing and have created a varied range of products since such as the Jubilee spice rub which has been specifically designed for Seafood. As Bar Byron themselves say: “A little butt rub makes everything better”, something that we can fully agree on so quickly get your hands on some of Bad Byron’s Butt Rub before stock runs out!

Lights, Camera, Action!

2011-07-07T06:28:00.000-07:00

We visited Edible Ornamentals a little while ago and went round the chilli farm in Bedfordshire with eager eyes, admiring the gorgeous chillies all around. Now that the weather is a bit better we cannot stop thinking how good the chilli plants must look and how many Dorset Nagas, Hungarian Hot Wax, Hercules, Jalapenos and Habaneros have fully matured (not that we are jealous of course!).

Thanks to the age of media and more precisely Twitter, we were informed that Countrywise on ITV was doing a feature on the Edible Ornamentals Chilli Farm. We were of course glued to our TV set that night when the programme was showing, laughing as the presenter ate half a Dorset Naga and nearly died on camera. A lovely tomato and chilli pasta dish that was later cooked with the chillies from Edible Ornamentals made us salivate so this is a recipe that we will definitely be doing soon, using Edible Ornamentals’ Serenade chillies. Shawn and Joanna, the people behind the brand were keen to share their passion of all things chillies and we were thrilled to see that their feature ran at a time when most people are watching so we do hope that a lot of good things come out of this for them.

West Dean Chilli Fiesta is near so we will be sure to drop by Edible Ornamentals’ tent to say hello and pick out a couple more chilli plants (or ten if the boss has his own way!). Hopefully we will be able to actually get inside the tent this time as it was so crowded last year we didn’t get a chance to introduce ourselves to Shawn and Joanna. Now that we are in contact regularly thanks to Facebook and Twitter we do hope that, in the words of Humphrey Bogart “this is the start of a beautiful friendship”!

Got the Munchies?

2011-07-06T06:05:00.000-07:00

We all have our guilty pleasures, one of the most tenacious ones being snacking on things we probably should avoid. Most people will go for crisps rather than rice crackers or chocolate instead of a banana probably because it just feels so good to be bad...

We are as guilty here at the Devil’s Garden as anyone, voicing the excuse to anybody who will listen that we just need to curb our chilli craving before gorging ourselves with fabulous chilli snacks.

When it comes to chocolate, our first pick is Dartmoor Chilli Farm’s range of chilli chocolate available in many flavours from dark to milk, orange, mint, coffee, apricot, ginger or nuts although the Chilli Pepper Company’s 72% organic dark chilli chocolate is pretty darn awesome too!

We just LOVE grabbing a bag of Dave’s Insanity Popcorn to munch in front of the telly or LapSnack Chilli Puffs. The Chilli Pepper Company’s chilli fudge is also one of our favourites, either the hot & spicy one or the ginger version.

Fired Up Chipnuts, peanuts coated in a crispy spicy shell, are definite bestsellers at the Devil’s Garden, the XXX habanero version being the most popular, closely followed by Cajun and Chipotle.

Our stock can never be big enough for our consumers of chilli nuts though. Whether you go for Hot Headz Who Dares Burns Peanuts, Hot Headz Satan’s Nuts, Dave’s Burning Nuts or Dave’s Smokin nuts, all those chilli nuts are to die for... quite literally!

The ultimate chilli snacks for those with serious chilli withdrawal have to be Blair’s Death Rain range of chilli crisps. We tend to sell the Habanero crisps by the crate as well as Chipotle although the Cheddar and Buffalo Wings are definitely popular too!

So if just like us you just can’t resist munching on something throughout the day go visit the Devil’s Garden website where you can have your pick at delicious spicy snacks!

West Dean Chilli Fiesta is near!

2011-06-24T06:25:00.000-07:00

If there is one event that all chilli heads should attend out of all the chilli festivals that are around it’s West Dean’s annual Chilli Fiesta.

Last year’s show was pretty amazing, with around 150 stands and more than 10,000 people attending over three days. The great thing about West Dean Chilli Fiesta is that there is a little bit of everything for everyone.

Whether you just want a nice family day out or to sample every single hot sauce, spicy nuts and crisps, chilli chutney, chilli chocolate, chilli relish or salsa, chilli jam or jelly out there (and believe us, we did give it a good try!) the day is full of merriment and good spirit. Spontaneous dancing was to be found near live bands while food stands using great chilli sauces and relishes were of course part of what made the weekend so successful.

West Dean Chilli Fiesta was of course a good opportunity to see our suppliers such as Chilli Pepper Pete, Chilli Queen, Cambridge Chilli Farm or the Chilli Pepper Company which had its infamous 10 Minute Burn hot sauce taking pride of place on its stand but also to check out new chilli brands.

Although most people think of chillies as food there was a lot more to be seen at West Dean Chilli Fiesta such as a good range of hydroponics and plant foods such as Chilli Focus or Root Riot Cubes, chilli related china and textiles as well of course as chilli plants for sale. Edible Ornamentals Chilli Farm that we went to see a couple of months back were so crowded that we didn’t even get a chance to meet with the owners.

This year we shall be attending West Dean Chilli Fiesta on the 5th and 6th August with some friends who are actually quite worried that we are going to make them try chilli sauces such as Cambridge Chilli Farm’s Ghost Pepper 10 or Chilli Pepper Pete’s Dragon’s Blood! So come along and see if you can spot the boss of the Devil’s Garden there, it won’t be too difficult with a great big tattoo of flames on his left arm!

Chilli Pepper Pete - Chilli Sauce Banned

2011-06-22T05:03:00.000-07:00

Chilli Pepper Pete has been around for a few years now and it is a brand that is mostly known for chilli sauces such as Dragon’s Blood, Sphincter Shrinker and Smokin’ Devil although it is also greatly popular for chilli products such as Chilli Pepper Pete’s Piri Piri Oil, Liquid Fire hot sauce and of course the hotter than hot chilli curry sauces that go by the name of Nagaloo and Goan to the Loo.

The latest noise around Chilli Pepper Pete though is due to the hellish Satan’s Shit Chilli Sauce which some consider to be more of a chilli paste. Satan’s Shit was one of the first Chilli Pepper Pete’s products we put on the Devil’s Garden as we knew consumers would want to try it and brag to friends and family if they lived to tell the tale...

With the festival season upon us a lot of chilli brands are keen to impress the crowds with new or established chilli sauces but Chilli Pepper Pete’s Satan’s Shit created quite a stir at the Taste of London festival as well as the Cheltenham Food Festival in the last couple of weeks when members of the public started feeling the burn a bit too intensely and had to be seen at the first aid tent. Chilli Pepper Pete’s Satan’s Shit was later banned from both shows which created even more publicity around the chilli sauce.

The last chilli sauce we heard that was banned from a chilli festival was The Chilli Pepper Company’s 10 Minute Burn Hot Sauce. People were seen to have “episodes” where they would roll themselves on the grass in fits of uncontrollable laughter. A member of the Devil’s Garden took a bit more than she should have at the Levens Hall Chilli Fiesta last year and apparently lost her hearing for a couple of minutes!

A lot of people think that chilli sauces cannot get hot enough, well there is now proof that The Chilli Pepper Company’s 10 Minute Burn hot sauce and Chilli Pepper’s Satan’s Shit chilli sauce are not to be taken lightly!

Established chilli sauce from Chilli Pepper Pete, new name!

2011-06-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

As you might well be aware, Chilli Pepper Pete is one of the pioneer UK brands that has really made its mark on the chilli world over the years.

With chilli products under Chilli Pepper Pete’s belt such as the infamous Satan’s Shit, Dragon’s Blood, Dragon’s Slayer, Red Nagahunter or Nagaloo Curry Paste, it is easy to understand the popularity and dedication of chilli heads all over Britain and beyond for this delectable brand.

One chilli sauce that we cannot get enough of and is definitely in our top 10 of ultimate chilli sauces of all times is Chilli Pepper Pete’s Smokin’ Devil. This chilli sauce was originally called Dragon Hunter hot sauce but Chilli Pepper Pete went through a whole rebranding in 2011 so this is now called Smokin Devil.

One thing is for sure, the magic of this chilli sauce is still there. With a very specific type of cooking, Chilli Pepper Pete’s chilli sauces, chilli and curry pastes and chilli preserves, definitely have that “je ne sais quoi” that makes you go back for more.

Chilli Pepper Pete’s Smokin Devil is made using the beloved chipotle chilli pepper which is in fact a smoked jalapeno. Other ingredients include onions, grape juice, apples, pineapple, herbs and spices but this is not to be mistaken for a sweet chilli sauce. Chilli Pepper Pete’s Smokin Devil is at its best used on its own, with a good mature cheddar or mixed in with a slow cooked fresh tomato pasta sauce.

The smokiness of Chilli Pepper Pete’s Smokin Devil is what people are after as much as the heat level which is rather medium so enjoyable for a wide range of people. It’s such as versatile chilli sauce that we use it on a daily basis, even if it is just a few drops or a good glug as there isn’t anything it doesn’t go with.

So get your hands on Chilli Pepper Pete’s Smokin Devil while stock lasts! Your tastebuds will thank you!

Edible Ornamentals: The Products

2011-06-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

We are looking into stocking some of Edible Ornamentals chilli products but thought we would give you an overview of what we tried when going on a tour of the chilli farm.

With a strong branding and good quality jars, bottles and labels, Edible Ornamentals is not cutting any corners and decided to show themselves as professional growers from the start. The first chilli sauce that we tried was the Anaheim one. Although the mildest of the lot, the flavour was absolutely amazing and deserves pride of place in your cupboard or fridge. This is a fantastic chilli sauce to use as you would ketchup and we cannot wait to stock it so we can use it on our burgers and bangers!

Edible Ornamentals Luscious Citrus Relish is a definitely winner and one of their bestsellers. The balance between the acidity of the lemon and the richness and sweetness of the relish is amazing. We have added it to pasta tomato sauce to lift the flavour up and it was to die for. The heat is medium but highly delectable.

Edible Ornamentals Inferno Hot Sauce is rather pungent as its name indicates. This is a very good everyday sauce for those who like spice although there are other great chilli sauces to be had from Edible Ornamentals such as a Sweet Chilli Hot Sauce, and Orange Chilli Marmalade, an Onion Relish and a fantastic Bramley and Habanero Chutney. Edible Ornamentals also smoke their own jalapenos, creating chipotles to die for.

We cannot wait for Edible Ornamentals to be able to produce a wider and bigger range of chilli goodies but in the meantime will let you know as soon as some of their products are available at The Devil’s Garden!

Cambridge Chilli Farm Visit - Part 2

2011-06-02T05:27:00.000-07:00

After visiting Cambridge Chilli Farm’s crop of chillies, we set up camp in Tim’s kitchen, in company of his wife and young son and got talking about, you’ve guessed it, chillies.

Tim made us try some chilli products that are in the making so although it is not our place to divulge anything just yet, be assured that you’ll be in for a treat once these are on the market as they are truly outstanding!

Chilli festival season is upon us so Tim talked to us about all the ones he intend to be at in 2011, one of the big ones being obviously West Dean Chilli Fiesta. We will be there of course, although only as customers, and cannot wait to see what Tim is going to bring to the mix! We hope that Cambridge Chilli Farm will get a good spot as they truly deserve to be recognised for their hard work, integrity and devotion to all things chilli. The weather will also hopefully be better than last year. We don’t know what was worse, the rain or the multitude of wasps that couldn’t get enough of Cambridge Chilli Farm’s products!

Tim unfortunately didn’t have any of his Lucky 7 Hot Sauce to give to us just yet but he said that as soon as his crop is ripe he will make plenty more so we can stock it at the Devil’s Garden. The same applies to Cambridge Chilli Farm’s Voodoo Hot Sauce made with Chocolate Habaneros, a chilli sauce that is truly to die for and one of our current hot sauce favourites!

Cambridge Chilli Farm is one of those up and coming UK brands that is full of promises and anchors its reputation in honesty, value for money and quality at all costs. We cannot wait to see what Tim has got in store in the coming years and all heartedly hope that he and his wife will get the success that they deserve.

Edible Ornamentals: The Tour Part 2

2011-06-01T03:23:00.000-07:00

Shawn showed us around his chilli farm ran with his wife Joanna, rightly called Edible Ornamentals. After seeing the most public aspects of the chilli farm we moved on to polytunnels and glasshouses that were more for commercial use. Rows and rows of beautifully kept chilli plants such as Hercules (a popular type of chillies mainly found in supermarkets) were to be found in either polytunnels or glass greenhouses but also tomatillos which seem to be a real winner at the moment especially when sold to restaurants.

We then arrived at a big tank that is part of the ingenious irrigation system. Shawn and Joanna seem to have had a rough time when it comes to setting up an irrigation system that would free up their time and allow for a precise watering of the plants. Each chilli plant is linked to this clever irrigation system that is run by a computer and can even modify the PH of the water that runs through it. With so many chilli plants to look after we are not surprised that Shawn and Joanna went for such a high tech irrigation system albeit a costly one but definitely worth having especially in view of the scale of the chilli farm and its plans for expansion.

The commercial kitchen was definitely impressive. Although set in a container much like the ones you would see on construction sites, this kitchen is well lit, extremely clean and well laid out. Shawn explained to us what happens from the moment the chillies are picked to the moment they are washed, pureed, cooked and bottled up.

There is nothing average about Edible Ornamentals chilli sauces and preserves as we were about to find out by visiting the farm shop which is set up in a small chalet type house. Edible Ornamentals chilli products are of course available but also other items such as Italian pasta, oils and sauces from other brands. Shawn went on to make us try several types of chillies so people could notice the difference in taste and heat level between each type and the tour concluded with most people buying some of Edible Ornamentals’ chilli products or chilli plants.

Overall, it was a great way to spend a Sunday, talking to people that are passionate at what they do. We cannot wait to see Shawn at West Dean Chilli Fiesta in August. We tried to approach him last year but the stand was absolutely mobbed. We understand why now that we know a bit more about them!

Edible Ornamentals: The Tour Part 1

2011-05-31T07:19:00.000-07:00

One of our friends offered us a tour of Edible Ornamentals chilli farm as a Christmas present so we were very excited to further our knowledge of chilli plants and discover some of Edible Ornamentals’ chilli sauces and preserves.

We arrived at Edible Ornamentals chilli farm last Sunday for the 11 am tour which was supposed to last one hour but ended up being three! We plagued Shawn, the owner and tour guide, with questions and he was great in answering all of them whilst managing the other people that had come to do the tour.

The farm is divided into several types of polytunnels. The main one is for the general public to come and view or buy chilli plants from Hungarian Hot Wax to Dorset Naga, Orange Habaneros, Serenade and many more. In the time that it took us to do the tour we saw many people just coming to the chilli farm out of the blue and buying chilli plants. They look so good and are so healthy that we do understand why Edible Ornamentals seems to be so popular with the locals.

Shawn took us to see the polytunnels called “Pick and Mix” which as you can imagine is the place where families can come and pick their own favourite chillies. This is still a work in progress although perfectly usable as it is but most chillies are still a bit too green to be picked. We can imagine how boisterous and amazing to see it must be at the height of the chilli picking season though!

The third polytunnels we saw was really impressive. Built with a special type of polyurethane that allows the heat to really stay in, we went from outside which was sunny albeit very windy to a wall of blistering heat upon entering the polytunnels. The chilli plants definitely seem to like it though and are very neatly kept!

Cambridge Chilli Farm Visit - Part 1

2011-05-29T01:51:00.000-07:00

Since one of our friends had kindly offered us a tour of Edible Ornamentals chilli farm we decided we would take the opportunity to go and visit Cambridge Chilli Farm that is set up nearby.

We have been stocking Cambridge Chilli Farm’s products for about a year now and are addicted to chilli sauces such as Pineapple & Habanero Hot Sauce and of course Ghost Pepper 10 Hot Sauce although we are also partial to Cambridge Chilli Farm’s Habanero Gold Jam and Raspberry Chilli Jelly!

Tim is the man behind the brand and is a dedicated chilli grower who endeavours to bring out the best out of his chillies and create hot sauces and chilli preserves that people will trust and enjoy time and time again.

Cambridge Chilli Farm is set up on a quarter of an acre which is currently enough for the farm’s needs although we could sense that given the proper staff and technology Tim would be keen to have at least 6 acres to potter about with!

Cambridge Chilli Farm’s polytunnels are one of the best kept ones we have seen so far. The chilli plants are divided by type, with a dominance this year of Orange and Chocolate Habaneros and Seven Yellow Pots.

We went round each polytunnels, Tim explaining to us the influence that the weather has had on his current crop and going into detail about all the aspect of growing chillies on such a scale. The farm also has a glass greenhouse that holds several other varieties and we just loved seeing how attentive Tim was to every chilli plant, however small.

Tim definitely knows what he is on about, not only because of his knowledge in all things botanical but also because of a genuine passion for chillies.

Edible Ornamentals: An Overview

2011-05-27T05:41:00.000-07:00

Shawn and Joanna Plumb set up Edible Ornamentals back in 2007 on the former site of Cherwood Nursery in the village of Chawston. One of our friends had gifted us a tour of the farm as a Christmas present so we jumped on the chance to see a working chilli farm.

The nursery hadn’t been used for four years when Shawn and Joanna took over so was in a pretty dilapidated state. After a few years of trial and errors they are now the proud owners of a superbly run environmentally conscious chilli farm that is making more and more noise every year that passes.

Although Shawn and Joanna started selling chilli plants at car boot sales, they have now moved on to much bigger things thanks to their hard work and dedication, supplying restaurants with their beautiful crops of chillies, making their own chilli sauces and preserves, growing specific types of chillies for other farms and private customers, allowing people to pick their own mix of fresh chillies at the farm and participating in numerous chilli festivals and farmers’ markets.

One of the integral part of who Edible Ornamentals are is providing not only the best possible crops of chillies such as Orange Habaneros, Dorset Naga, Hercules, Hungarian Hot Wax, Serenade or Jalapenos but also to produce crops of stabilised high yielding breeds of chillies for private and commercial use. There is no fleeting craze behind Edible Ornamentals. Shawn and Joanna are keen to gain a reputation for excellence without giving in to the latest trend. Their tour is definitely one we recommend to anybody remotely interested in chillies. It is a great day out for the family too even if you don’t know anything about chillies as Shawn is always around to share his passion for chillies.

Unsung Heroes: Cambridge Chilli Farm

2011-05-10T07:21:00.000-07:00

It is hard sometimes to keep an impartial mind in the chilli world when the media is possessed with advertising the trendiest chilli sauces or hottest chillies rather than celebrating brands that value quality and integrity.

Cambridge Chilli Farm has only been around for a couple of years but Tim, the man behind the brand, is not short of ideas when it comes to chilli produce which, coupled with his great horticultural skills and knowledge, promises a great future for his up and coming chilli farm.

Cambridge Chilli Farm’s chilli sauces range from mild to rather insane, especially his Ghost Pepper 10 hot sauce which is hellish although we are also great fans of Cambridge Chilli Farm Pineapple and Habanero Hot Sauce which makes us salivate just looking at it.

Cambridge Chilli Farm chilli sauces also comprise Naga Napalm Hot Sauce, Smoky Chipotle Hot Sauce and Sweet Chilli Sauce. Although not available to trade yet, Cambridge Chilli Farm’s Lucky Seven, the only UK chilli sauce to be made with the highly fragrant (and hot!) Yellow 7 Pod Chilli Pepper, is our latest favourite and we cannot wait to offer it to the general public as soon as Cambridge Chilli Farm produces more of it.

On the other end of the spice spectrum Cambridge Chilli Farm has devised fantastic jams which are some of our bestsellers amongst which Cambridge Chilli Farm Habanero Gold and Cambridge Chilli Farm Raspberry & Chilli Jelly.

Cambridge Chilli Farm is keen to cater for all tastes so for those who like chilli chutneys and relishes just have a go at Cambridge Chilli Farm’s Red Onion and Smoky Chipotle Relish, Red Onion and Chilli Relish or Naga Napalm Onion Relish although we do recommend extreme care for your tastebuds with that one!

Cambridge Chilli Farm’s chilli jellies are starting to really be known and loved across the chilli community, especially the infamous Nagalade which is pure evil! Cambridge Chilli Farm Lime and Chilli Jelly is also a chilli jelly we would definitely recommend for its flavour which is perfectly balanced.

We aim to support UK based chilli suppliers as much as possible so why not go on The Devil’s Garden and pick something from Cambridge Chilli Farm? Your tastebuds will thank you!

Dave's Gourmet - New Products in Stock

2011-05-07T05:48:00.000-07:00

Dave’s Gourmet is one of the staple chilli brands from the US, a brand that over the years has shown its worth by bringing us chilli sauces such as Dave’s Insanity Hot Sauce, Dave’s Hurtin’ Habanero or the ingenious Dave’s Adjustable Heat Hot Sauce.

At the Devil’s Garden we are always excited to get new products from Dave’s Gourmet and boy do we have a treat in store for you this week! First off is Dave’s Gourmet’s Jammin’ Jerk Hot Sauce which is the perfect chilli sauce to use this summer to flavour barbecued meat or vegetables (although it is a great chilli sauce to use all year round too!). We also love the particular jerk flavour of this chilli sauce when mixed into a salad dressing or simply spread on cheese on toast!

We have just received a great product from Dave’s Gourmet which is a spice shaker containing six different types of chillies either ground or in flakes. This Dave’s Gourmet’ 6 Pure Dried Chiles Shaker offers a gradual scale so you are aware of the flavour and intensity of the dried chilli you are using, namely: Ancho, New Mexico, De Arbol, Cayenne, Habanero and Chipotle.

Collectors are always contacting us, asking for the latest item to add to their collection. Well Dave’s Gourmet is notorious for their annual batch of Dave’s Insanity Ghost Pepper Private Reserve Limited Edition, numbered and signed by the man himself, presented in a cool wooden coffin box with authentication certificate inside. The 2011 batch has just arrived on British soil and is three times hotter than the original Dave’s Insanity Hot Sauce and although a collector’s item we are very tempted to open it up and have a good glug of it!

So there you go, Dave’s Gourmet is a brand close to our hearts and we hope you’ll have great fun experimenting with Dave’s Jammin Jerk Chilli Sauce, Dave’s Gourmet 6 Pure Dried Chiles Shaker and for those wanting something a bit special, Dave’s Gourmet Insanity Ghost Pepper Private Reserve Limited Edition 2011!!

Special Offers - May 2011

2011-05-05T03:58:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few of our chilli produce on offer this month so make sure you grab yourself a treat before stock runs out!

Dartmoor Chilli Farm’s chocolate is made by Lessiter, a chocolate manufacturer that has been around for more than a hundred years so they definitely know a thing or two about chocolate! Dartmoor Chilli Farm’s fresh chillies are then added to their wonderful dark chocolate along with other goodies such as ginger pieces, apricot chunks, roasted almonds as well as cranberries and hazelnuts. The heat is sharp enough for most chilli lovers to fix their chilli cravings but not so hot that people wary of spice run away asking for mercy!

Cambridge Chilli Farm has been around for a couple of years now and is really starting to make some noise in the chilli community with evil chilli produce such as Nagalade or Ghost Pepper 10 hot sauce. On offer this month are chilli treats such as Cambridge Chilli Farm Habanero Gold Chilli Jam, a unique and delectable type of chilli jam (rather mild) that we just cannot get enough of. Cambridge Chilli Farm Lime & Chilli Jelly is a very refreshing type of chilli condiment that does wonders with chicken or mixed in a salad dressing. It is also fantastic in sandwiches and as part of a marinade.

Cambridge Chilli Farm’s Red Onion and Chilli Relish has a rich hearty flavour coming from chunky caramelised onions and Ring of Fire chilli peppers which derive from the cayenne family. It’s absolutely fantastic in a hot steak sandwich! Cambridge Chilli Farm’s Sweet Chilli Sauce is also on offer. This is a very popular sweet chilli sauce that uses the beloved scotch bonnet chilli pepper for spice and flavour!

For those who love the smoky flavour of the Chipotle, try Chilli Pepper Pete’s Dragon Hunter Hot Sauce. This is probably one of our top 3 chilli sauces using the smoked jalapeno. Dragon Hunter is a wonderful addition to pasta sauces, pizzas and can also be used as a dip with a twist!

From the States side we also have the iconic Cholula Hot Sauce that is made with the rare Pequin chilli pepper. Americans use it all the time just as you would ketchup so let yourself be taken over by its distinctive flavour!

Who Doesn't Love a Good Curry

2011-05-04T06:55:00.001-07:00

It’s Friday night, you’re finally off work and planning to have a good weekend and the fancy of a dirty curry takes hold of you… that is until you are reminded that your pecuniary situation is not the greatest in these times of recession, and that when you did have a curry last time it wasn’t really that good in the end and certainly not healthy… By the time the driver arrived it was cold anyway or you weren’t that hungry anymore.

The answer to this age-old dilemma? Do what a lot of our customers are currently doing: Get a good curry paste and make your own spicy and flavoursome curry in a jiffy!

We have several curry pastes at the Devil’s Garden and each is different in composition and heat level. The one we use all the time is Mr Vikki’s North Indian Curry Paste. We recommend this curry paste to anyone who will hear us. There is no hassle at all thanks to Mr Vikki’s as the hard work has already been done for you! The heat is medium to hot and the jar keeps really well in the fridge so we tend to store it and use it as much as we would mustard or mayonnaise.

Chilli Pepper Pete is notorious for his chilli sauces such as Dragon’s Blood, Sphincter Shrinker or Satan’s Shit but his curry pastes are starting to make quite an impression on curry lovers. Chilli Pepper Pete’s Thai curry paste is relatively mild but the flavour is out of this world and really authentic. The lime and coriander shines through in this curry paste and when mixed in with coconut milk be prepared to have a whole crowd converging to your kitchen!

But if heat is what you are after, boy are you in for a treat with Chilli Pepper Pete’s Goan to the Loo Curry Paste. As its name indicates it is not to be taken lightly and Chilli Pepper Pete dares anybody to have a whole jar in one sitting. A lot of vegetables and spices have been combined to form this beautiful curry paste but the Naga Jolokia that provides the heat is absolutely merciless!

Unless you are made out of money, don’t mind the over-greasy taste or calories intake and are ready to wait for an hour or so before eating, curry takeaways are sometimes not worth the hassle. It is easier to get yourself a curry paste that you truly like and make yourself a dish that answers your needs at very little cost!

Unsung Heroes Series: Mr Vikki’s

2011-04-27T06:24:00.000-07:00

There are so many chilli sauces, chutneys, spicy snacks and chilli produce in general to choose from these days that it is easy to overlook brands that have been around for a few years and endeavour to offer chilli lovers good quality chilli goodies year after year. They might not be the most fashionable ones or the most talked about but their products are definitely not to be pushed aside.

Take Mr Vikki’s for example. Adam, the man behind the brand is well known for being “the king of chilli preserves” in the north and his chilli chutneys and curry pastes go down a storm at every chilli festival. But some of his chilli sauces and chutneys sometimes get left in shadows such as his “Banana Habanero”.

Winner of a double gold award in 2009, Mr Vikki’s Banana Habanero made a lot of noise when it came out. The combination of bananas and ginger is not an obvious one but is truly delicious whilst the heat coming through from the habanero chillies is just right.

Mr Vikki’s Hot Brinjal Pickle is another example of a great chutney that slowly comes out of fashion but is no less delectable. In turn citrusy, smoky and nutty with a pungent heat that lifts the rich taste of fresh aubergine, Mr Vikki’s Hot Brinjal Pickle is a real winner. It is a fantastic sweet and tasty chilli chutney that works well on its own or with mature hard cheeses or cold meats.

Harissa can be found all over Europe and many chilli suppliers try their hands at producing this popular chilli sauce originating from Tunisia. Mr Vikki’s Lemon Harissa has a hint of garlic and the fresh tanginess of lemon that unlike many other harissa produce we have tried prevents the mix being too heavy for the palate.

So why not go beyond the fashionable chilli sauces, pickles and chutneys out there and try some of Mr Vikki’s chilli preserves for a change? You certainly won’t be disappointed!

New kind of product at The Devil’s Garden!

2011-04-19T06:13:00.000-07:00

Yes, of course what we meant when naming our online business “The Devil’s Garden” was to indicate the spicy nature as well as the wide range of our products. But as we go along we find ourselves wanting to branch out and provide other elements that, just as with chillies, are there to enhance the flavour of your food.

This is why we decided at The Devil’s Garden to launch a section of “Herb Seeds” (in the Grow Your Own category). We have been providing chilli seeds to quite a few customers for the past months (NuMex Big Jim, Scotch Bonnets and Satan’s Kiss chilli seeds being the bestsellers so far) and were asked several times to look into selling herb seeds as garden or cooking herbs are widely used in many form of cuisine from European to American and of course Eastern.

Our first impulse was to get several types of basil herb seeds as this is a garden herb that is found in many a recipe and goes incredibly well as we all know with Italian food. We also got some Oregano, Common Thyme and Sage herb seeds as these are staples of beloved roasts and stews. Dill, Peppermint and Tarragon work wonderfully well in salads and with fish, as well as parsley. We of course got some coriander herb seeds as this is a very popular herb that is of course at its best in curries. We also decided to stock some Chamomile herb seeds as not only is the plant really ornamental with daisy-like flowers but the medicinal virtues and soothing sensation of chamomile are notorious, really relevant when you have been over-doing it with chillies!

There is still plenty of time to grow your own kitchen herbs so why not have a look at what the Devil’s Garden has got to offer and if you feel that you need a bit of help, you can browse our “Growing Equipment” section where Root Riot Cubes and plant food such as Chilli Focus (works just as well with herb seeds) can be found.

BBQ Season is Upon Us!

2011-04-17T03:40:00.000-07:00

Well the weather seems to be improving (at last!) and the smell of barbecues is starting to be noticeable in gardens at weekends so at the Devil’s Garden we thought we would give you a few tips on how to make your party stand out:

Although technically not a chilli product, Bad Byron’s Butt Rub is a great way to add flavour to your meat. This seasoning has been running for 14 years in American and our compadres on the other side of the Atlantic can’t seem to get enough of it. The great thing about Bad Byron’s Butt Rub is that you can use it on its own or mix it with honey, olive oil, crème fraiche, butter, Worcester sauce and many more condiments and smother your food in it to create a marinade to die for!

From the creation of The Devil’s Garden we had lots of requests for a produce with hickory flavour so we hastened to offer Hot Headz Hickory Smoke sauce to the public. This produce doesn’t have any chillies either but what it lacks in heat it definitely makes up for in flavour. Just a few drops of Hot Headz Hickory Smoke will add depth to your food and you can also mix it with a chilli sauce that you really like that doesn’t have chipotle or a smoky flavour to it.

One of our biggest bestsellers at the Devil’s Garden whatever time of year is Dave’s Smokin Nuts. Not as hot as Dave’s Burning Nuts (thankfully!) these spicy peanuts are an absolute winner for flavour and still pack a punch. Flavoured with Piquin and chipotle chillies, this is a chilli snack we are always salivating about and one that is also always popular with friends and family.

Part of the 7 deadly sins collection, “Bliss” hot sauce from Sinful Sauces is a new favourite of ours. This is a medium hot chilli sauce that really works well in barbecues as is uses the smoky chipotle chilli and naga for the heat mixed in with slowly roasted tomatoes, onions, red wine vinegar, garlic, black pepper and spices.

So get the charcoal out, prepare your utensils and let’s get grilling!

Savoury Sinful Sauces

2011-04-16T03:04:00.000-07:00

The Devil’s Garden is keen to get all chilli sinners to use and abuse some of Sinful Sauces’ of hot sauces as they are really worth the detour! 7 flavours are available in this deadly sins collection but we wanted to highlight the savoury ones to you:

“Wicked” hot sauce is made with slowly cooked roasted red peppers, juicy tomatoes, red onions, red wine vinegar, garlic, black pepper and rosemary and is using the Serrano chilli pepper (too often overlooked) for heat. This is a fantastic everyday condiment that we are using with everything that lands on our plate from chicken to fish, sandwiches and cheeses.

Now if you want something to give you a good chilli kick just try Sinful Sauces’ Wrath hot sauce. Naga is of course the dominant chilli pepper, counterbalanced with fragrant applewood smoked garlic, tomatoes, sweet red peppers, onions and red wine vinegar along with black treacle and a hint of lime to boost the whole flavour. We tend to use this sauce as you would ketchup so anything from burgers to chips, fish, pasta and cold meats.

“Bliss” is a different hot sauce altogether. It leans towards a barbecue sauce but we tend to use it in a lot more things than on grilled meats as it really is a wonderful hot sauce with a smoky flavour from chipotle chilli peppers that leaves us panting and intense heat coming from naga that takes us to an especially blissful place!

The Sinful Sauces’ 7 deadly sins collection does exactly what it says on the tin, providing a wide range of delectable hot sauces that range from mild to hot to trot and we cannot wait for sinners to tell us what they think!

Sweet Sinful Sauces

2011-04-14T03:00:00.000-07:00

Sinful Sauces are fast gaining in popularity thanks to their “7 deadly sins” collection of hot sauces. Not only is the design of the brand very appealing but the time and effort put in by the owners of Sinful Sauces, a husband and wife team, really shows in the quality of the hot sauces.

There is a taste for everyone in the 7 deadly sins collection but our focus for now is on the sweet hot sauces such as “Envy”. The mildest of the lot, this is not your average hot sauce as Kiwi is used as a main ingredient along with a hint of lime for sharpness and green jalapenos to provide the heat. The result is a hot sauce that is incredibly alluring in colour and wonderfully refreshing in flavour.

Sinful Sauces “Passion” hot sauce is a tad hotter as orange habaneros have been used although in such a delicate way that the balance of pineapple and passionfruit is not affected. We have tried this hot sauce in smoothies and milkshares and it is just out of this world. It also works really well poured over a good piece of sponge cake.

A lot of chilli suppliers either use apricot or mango in their produce but Sinful Sauces Addiction hot sauce has got both combined along with a hint of cider vinegar so the mix is not overly sweet. Here again orange habaneros bring in some heat which means the hot sauce is entering the realm of medium hot sauces.

Last but certainly not least in the sweet hot sauces of 7 deadly sins collection is “Sublime”. Sinful Sauces have got this hot sauce just right, using clementines as the main ingredient counterbalanced with honey, lemon, lime and a touch of cider vinegar. We are really glad they used the Scotch Bonnet chilli pepper to create the heat as its particular flavour goes really well with fruity aromas whilst bringing in some heat!

We have had these hot sauces from Sinful Sauces for a couple of weeks now and just cannot decide on a favourite they are that unique so we cannot wait to see which ones becomes the most sinful!

Dragon's Blood from Chilli Pepper Pete

2011-04-10T04:20:00.000-07:00

Chilli Pepper Pete is renowned for his unique hot sauces that combine not only innovativeness but also great flavour and of course a lot of heat!!

One of Chilli Pepper Pete’s hot sauces that made him famous is of course Dragon’s Blood. Dragon Slayer and Dragon’s Blood Batch 13 quickly followed but Dragon’s Blood is the hot sauce that won prestigious awards as you could say it is the quintessence of what a hot sauce should be.

Made with vinegar, pineapple, fresh naga, naga Bih Jolokia, Aleppo Chilli Flakes, sugar and oh, just a smidget of 6.4 MSU Chilli Extract this hot sauce is definitely not for the faint-hearted!!

A single bottle of 100 ml should last you a while as only a few drops are enough to crank the heat level of your food to the extreme in a jiffy! This hot sauce is definitely one of our bestsellers and our customers at the Devil’s Garden keep coming back for more. Some might think it is just a hot sauce to get in order to pull a funny prank on work colleagues or friends but the flavour of Chilli Pepper Pete’s Dragon’s Blood is also what a lot of people are after.

Dragon’s Blood is a successful sauce, not only because of its heat and flavour but because of its versatility so do not hesitate to experiment with it. We have used it in numerous dishes and have never been disappointed although cockiness is soon tamed when you think you are used to it and can add that little bit more! Even for an experienced chilli consumer Chilli Pepper Pete’s Dragon’s Blood is still to use with extreme caution!

REVIEW - Hot Headz Cayenne Hot Sauce

2011-04-05T08:01:00.000-07:00

Hot Headz has been around for 15 years in the UK and is notorious for producing really good quality hot sauces using the most popular of chillies.

The cayenne chilli pepper is probably one of the most known chillies by the general public along with the jalapeno and for good reason. Of a medium heat (30,000 to 50,000 Scoville Heat Units), the flavour of the cayenne, whether you taste the yellow or red one, is what people are after. Originating from Cayenne in French Guiana, the pods of this chilli pepper are usually dried and reduced to powder or used in baking. The cayenne is also used as part of the coating for Buffalo Wings and numerous barbecue marinades or spice mixes.

Hot Headz Cayenne hot sauce is made with only four ingredients: aged red cayenne chilli peppers, vinegar, garlic and salt. The inherent simplicity of this sauce is deceiving though as the balance between heat and flavour is complex and adds depth to dishes such as tomatoey pasta sauces, soups using root vegetables and casseroles (especially sausage one!).

Hot Headz Cayenne Hot Sauce also works well as a condiment or a dip, especially when mixed with mayonnaise or hummus. We also use it quite a lot in fajitas and when making quesadillas so overall Hot Headz Cayenne hot sauce is a really good hot sauce to have around at home and add to pretty much anything that tickles your fancy!

Chilli Community Sites

2011-04-01T04:09:00.000-07:00

Chillies, hot sauces and chilli festivals have gone from a specialist’s topic to a British national passion in only the space of a few years. Along with suppliers of chilli produce the internet has seen a real surge of chilli community forums that provide the latest news, product reviews and ensure that everyday folks can get in touch with each other and share their passion for all things spicy.

One of the latest chilli forums to come under our radar is the Chilli Temple which describes itself as “a free thinking, free speaking social chilli community on the web”. A wide range of topics are indeed available in this chilli forum from general discussion to advice on growing chilli plants as well as a market place where you can check out the latest online deals and new produce.

A cookbook section has also been created to provide you with tasty, easy and most of all spicy recipes using chillies and derivatives. The layout of this chilli community site is very user friendly and also has a cool fresh design so why not check it out and meet people that, like you, enjoy anything chilli related!

Naga Viper Challenge

2011-03-30T10:12:00.000-07:00

Well here we are, back from Edinburgh after a great weekend with Barry Murphy and Mark Golder from Team Extreme for the Naga Viper Challenge. As some of you will know this is all in the name of the Brittle Bones Society (Barry’s daughter is sadly affected by Brittle Bones disease) as we thought it would be a good idea to sacrifice our tastebuds, oesophagus, stomachs and overall wellbeing for a good cause!

We hope to put The Devil's Garden edit of the video up within the next 24 hours so watch this space. The Chilli Pepper Company’s Naga Viper being a natural hot sauce (although as most of you are aware, the naga viper chilli has recently won the title of hottest chilli in the world so not your average jalapeno) the contestants handled things pretty well considering, although hours later stomachs still hadn’t really settled.

Hiccups were of course in order for the boss of the Devil’s Garden but at least he didn’t look like a stroke victim which is what happened when he tried another sauce from the Chilli Pepper Company i.e 10 Minute Burn! Another particular contestant ended up with some residue of the sauce in her eyes when she rubbed them without thinking which prompted much laughter and some pretty good swearing so overall, a good night for chilli madness!

The naga viper is definitely a chilli that anybody should try, even if just smeared on a toothpick as the flavour is really incredible although hard to describe unless you try it so make sure to get your hands on some of the Chilli Pepper Company Hot Sauce before limited stock runs out!

It’s also never too late to donate for the Brittle Bones Society and anything you can spare would be much appreciated: http://www.justgiving.com/nagaviperchallenge

We would like to thank Team Extreme again for their great hospitality and invitation to take part in what hopefully is the start of many more charity chilli challenges!

REVIEW - The Chilli Pepper Company Hot & Spicy Fudge

2011-03-24T08:42:00.000-07:00

There isn’t much to dislike about fudge: it’s sweet, chewy and incredibly flavoursome. One piece is never enough which is even more true when it comes to The Chilli Pepper Company’s Hot & Spicy Fudge.

The first thing that is noticeable when trying a piece of this delicious chilli fudge is the toffee flavour that just invades the whole mouth and stays on the tongue long after you have eaten it. We have tried letting a piece melt until it’s gone but this is virtually impossible, it’s that good!

Cayenne peppers bring some heat pretty much from the start, which settles mostly at the back of the throat, creating a wonderful warming sensation rather than a harsh one. Once you have experienced that pain/pleasure feeling you won’t want to let go of the bag!

There are a good 15 pieces in each pack which doesn’t seem like much but one piece alone will take you a while to savour (although we have been known to finish a whole bag in one go whilst watching a movie!).

The Chilli Pepper Company also has a ginger version that is less spicy but with a genuine taste of ginger (rather than some chemical taste) that is overwhelmingly delightful. Both types of chilli fudge are flying off our shelves, so make sure you get yourself a pack before they run out!

Upcoming Weekend - Naga Viper Challenge

2011-03-23T07:05:00.000-07:00

As announced in one of our previous blogs, the time has come for the Naga Viper Challenge to take place this weekend!

Mark Golder and Barry Murphy from Team Extreme invited The Devil’s Garden team along, not only to watch this “collective of nutcases” (as they call themselves) gulp down a whole shot glass of the Chilli Pepper Company’s Naga Viper Hot Sauce but also to participate in the challenge! After all it’s all for charity…

Barry’s daughter is sadly affected by Brittle Bones Disease so Team Extreme decided to set up the challenge in order to raise as much money as possible for the Brittle Bones Society.

The last time Team Extreme tried a whole shot glass of hot sauce it took them a couple of hours to recover so trying the same thing but with Naga Viper Hot Sauce which is probably the hottest natural hot sauce currently on the market should be interesting to say the least!

We know that the boss is eager to die trying it out himself and we cannot wait to see the result! Last year at the West Dean Chilli Fiesta, the boss in question tried The Chilli Pepper Company’s notorious 10 minute burn and people around him were quick to mention how much he looked like he had just had a stroke…

It is not too late to donate anything you can spare so please help Team Extreme by following this link: http://www.justgiving.com/nagaviperchallenge

More Spices from The Chilli Pepper Company

2011-03-21T06:29:00.000-07:00

As promised, we now have some more spices from The Chilli Pepper Company here at The Devil’s Garden and what wonderful ones they are!

Winner of The Hybrid Pepper Award for Innovation and second place for Unique Dry Spice, The Chilli Pepper Company’s Flaming Peppercorns are just out of this world! Infused with Bhut Jolokia Chilli Oil, these little black devils are extremely fragrant whilst packing up a real punch! We usually crush them in a mortar and pestle but you can also use a grinder or cook them whole. Beware though, only 4 or 5 peppercorns per person are enough to spice things up a lot!

Definitely not your average spice, the Chilli Pepper Company’s own version of Kirmizi Biber, a widely used Turkish mix of sweet peppers and hot chilli pepper flakes that are salted and dried before being rubbed in oil and roasted is a great addition to sandwiches, soups, stews and pretty much all that you can think of. We even sometimes eat a pinch of this delicious blend when nobody is looking!

Smoked Jalapenos, otherwise known as Chipotle, are a must have for any chilli lovers. Although a spice easier to get than chilli infused peppercorns of Kirmizi Biber, the chipotle flakes from The Chilli Pepper Company are of a great quality and 100 % pure rather than bulked up by chilli powder like so many other commercial ones are. The smokiness and flavour that chipotle brings to any food is notorious but if you haven’t tried this yet, get your hands on a pack as soon as possible as there are already proving very popular!

The Chilli Pepper Company Spices

2011-03-17T02:23:00.000-07:00

Known for their chilli seeds and extreme hot sauces such as Naga Viper or 10 Minute Burn, The Chilli Pepper Company has decided to develop a range of spices to make experts squeal with delight. We currently only have two different types available but will soon be adding some more onto the site so watch this space!

What sets The Chilli Pepper Company apart from other spice suppliers is the willingness to push boundaries and offer spices seldom available to the general public such as Berbere Spice. A key ingredient in African cuisine and one that has been around for centuries, it is hard to find these specific spices all in one blend. This is a spice that we have come to use on a daily basis over the last few weeks and cannot stop experimenting with. The combination of Red Chillies, Fenugreek, Ginger Root, Coriander, Allspice, Cloves, Cardamom and Ajowan seeds (similar to parsley) form a unique fragrant mix that truly delights the senses from the moment you open the shaker. We love it mixed in meaty stews but it also really works sprinkled on a simple omelette or cheese or toast!

Although made with similar spices, The Chilli Pepper Company’s Indonesian Seven Seas Spice is a totally different kind of fragrance with a somewhat more subtle flavour that works wonderfully well with fish or mild-tasting dishes. The smell coming from the blend of coriander, cumin, celery seeds, cloves, red chillies, green cardamom and cassia bark (a close relative to cinnamon) is just exhilarating, especially when cooking although we also found the spice great when mixed in with dips such as mayonnaise or hummus.

The Chilli Pepper Company still have plenty of tricks up their sleeve so be sure to check the Devil’s Garden in a few days to see what other spicy goodies are offered.

REVIEW - Mr Vikki's Apricot Chutney

2011-03-11T06:33:00.001-08:00

We first tried this Apricot Chutney from Mr Vikki’s at the 2009 Levens Hall Chilli Fest and were amazed by its flavour. Adam Marks, the man behind the Mr Vikki’s brand is already well known in the North of England and keeps growing in reputation thanks to his wide range of preserves and hot sauces.

Mr Vikki’s Apricot Chutney is probably one of our favourites ever as it is a welcomed variant from mango chutneys that overflow the market. The great thing about this preserve is that it is not overly sweet. Despite being made with 60% apricots on average, it is the fruit that you taste when trying it out rather than its fructose.

The fresh ginger and garlic soon follow, invading your whole mouth and delighting the senses in the meantime. A hint of mustard and vinegar picks the flavour up without overpowering the overall fragrance.

You might ask yourself when the chillies come into action, well they make themselves known pretty much from the start, leaving you with a tingling sensation at the back of the throat and a slight pleasing numbing at the tip of the tongue which should be ok for chilli beginners to handle.

Overall we find Mr Vikki’s Apricot Chutney absolutely fantastic to have on its own or with a nice hard cheese such as Crumbly Lancashire. It is also great of course as a dip with poppadoms or samosas but also works well with fish wrapped up in foil and grilled on the barbecue!

Local Home Deliveries (Lancaster Area)

2011-02-21T09:23:00.000-08:00

For those living in the Lancaster and Morecambe area, we would like to remind you that The Devil’s Garden can deliver lots of chilli goodies right at your doorstep!

Once you have chosen a selection of fiery treats (£10 minimum), just send us a quick email from our contact page (here) so we can proceed with your order and waive the delivery fee that you would normally pay when ordering through the website.

Many people who are now regular customers have already benefited from this service and keep telling us how easy and lovely it is to receive everything by hand which avoids delivery problems we have had with Royal Mail such as broken jars or burst packets of crisps.

We always offer suggestions and make people aware of the special deals we have going on at the moment which is also greatly appreciated. Chilli produce can be a bit scary sometimes and many people do not know if they will be able to handle the heat or are simply wary of the brand but are quickly reassured by our enthusiasm and thank us once they have tasted such treats as Mr Vikki’s curry pastes, Chilli Pepper Pete’s naga hot sauces or Blair’s Death Rain range of crisps!

Hot Headz Whole Chillies and Spices

2011-02-19T02:24:00.000-08:00

What sort of bland food would we have to ingest without the wonderful use of chillies and spices eh? We started off like most people by adding too much salt and inferior pepper to our food before discovering a whole world of scents, spices and fragrant herbs. We have been experimenting for a few years now and are aware (mostly hopefully!) of what kind of spice goes with what type of food although we still come up with weird concoctions from time to time!

When setting up the Devil’s Garden we were able to play around a bit with various dried types of chillies. Our heart was set on Hot Headz’ spices and chillies as they are of great quality and fantastic to use on a daily basis, our personal favourites being their whole Chipotle Chillies (so great in Sweet Potato & Chorizo Soup!) as well as whole Habaneros (so hot yet so good!).

We also love to use less potent stuff such as dried whole Pasilla, Guajillo, Ancho, Mulato and New Mexico chillies. We couldn’t wait to try De Arbol chillies as we had heard these were fiery and very tasty and believe us, we weren’t disappointed!! For months now we have also been using Hot Headz Dried Naga Chilli Flakes which we have put in a shaker and Ground Habanero Chilli Powder which definitely adds heat to any dish, however small an amount you put in!

The great thing about these chillies and spices is that they will last you ages. Despite our constant consumption of chopped up dried chillies we never seem to reach the end of a bag!

Hot Headz Spicy Snacks and Condiments

2011-02-18T02:19:00.000-08:00

Hot Headz are of course known for their great hot sauces such as Who Dares Burns 2nd Assault or Satan’s Sweat but their condiments and snacks are also great for all chilli heads out there.

Whether you are planning on hosting a fancy dinner party, just want to have something to put in your sandwich or want to smother your meat or fish on the barbecue with something flavoursome and powerful, Hot Headz has got the perfect treat in store for you like their Bramley Apple & Jalapeno Salsa, Chilli Pepper Relish, Smoked Chilli & Garlic and, one of our personal favourite: Chilli Piccalilly!

A produce you don’t see often around these neck of the woods is a Chile Con Queso sauce which Hot Headz have got down to a T. This is a traditional Mexican appetizer better described as a smooth creamy sauce made from a blend of melted cheeses, cream and chilli peppers and usually served warm. We have had it in Quesadillas and over Nachos and it was just brilliant!

For a little pick me up at work, in front of the telly or simply because you need a chilli fix, try also Hot Headz nuts which are really worth the detour! Whether you go for Who Dares Burns Peanuts or Satan’s Nuts, you will be impressed by the flavour and spicy coating of these devilish nuts!

Hot Headz’ hot sauces: for the delicate palate as well as for the crazy one!

2011-02-16T02:13:00.000-08:00

We stocked Hot Headz’ hot sauces from the start, not only because of their proved quality over the years, but because the variety and novelty of some of them are also well worth talking about.

Take Satan’s Sweat hot sauce for example. This is a sauce we use on a constant basis as well as its progenitor; we are of course talking of Son of Satan’s Sweat. This is just a wonderful everyday sauce that we have on its own but is also fantastic used in a variety of dishes from Chinese Noodles to spicy Carrot Soup.

At the other end of the spectrum there are hot sauces that are more interesting for their flavour than their heat although Hot Headz has a reputation for producing rather hot things! The Bajun or Szechuan Marinade & Stir-Fry hot sauces are amongst these, as well as their Liquid & Hickory Smoke.

Hot Headz are really keen to get two types of chillies known, one being Naga or Bhut Jolokia, the other one being the already beloved Habanero. Hot Headz’ Habanero Heaven hot sauce is just that: heaven while Hot Headz Naga & Chipotle hot sauce makes us weak in the knees just twisting the cap and smelling its pungent flavour!

There are plenty more spicy treats to be enjoyed from Hot Headz, their Who Dares Burns and Who Dares Burns 2nd Assault being some of their most popular hot sauces, personally endorsed by Darth Naga, the nutter who just tries anything devilishly spicy!

So go and have a look at the tasty hot sauces Hot Headz have got to offer, your tastebuds will thank you for it!

A Little Help for Something Extreme

2011-02-14T09:18:00.000-08:00

Official Team Extreme started posting their videos on YouTube in February last year and soon gained popularity by trying some of the hottest sauces currently on the market.

They describe themselves as “a collective of nutcases” which is easy to see when watching a video of Mark Golder drinking a whole shot glass of Dave’s Ghost Pepper sauce or the team sampling some goodies sent to them from us at The Devil’s Garden such as The Chilli Pepper Company’s 15 Minute Burn “Pocket Rocket”, Blair’s Ultra Death Hot Sauce and Chilli Pepper Pete’s Dragon’s Blood Batch 13.

Mark Golder contacted us this week to see if we would be willing to help raise awareness for their new challenge which is to collect £2,000 or more which will go to the Brittle Bone Society as his compadre, Barry Murphy, has got a daughter who is sadly affected by Brittle Bone Disease also known as Osteogenesis imperfecta and Lobstein Syndrome.

In exchange for your generous donations, the team will do their worst/best video yet i.e drinking a whole shot of The Chilli Pepper Company’s Naga Viper which is probably the hottest natural sauce on the market at the moment. The trailer for the challenge can be seen here!

So if you want your day brightened by watching absolute nutters regret the very day they were born then follow this link, make a donation and make this happen! http://www.justgiving.com/nagaviperchallenge

Get the best start with Growth Technology’s Root Riot!

2011-02-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

When it comes to growing plants from scratch, people are left with numerous choices influenced by the latest fashion and commercial whims which makes it difficult sometimes to keep an objective eye.

After researching several options we at the Devil’s Garden decided to stock Growth Technology’s Root Riot cubes. These cubes (available as a tray of 24 or refill bag of 100) are just fantastic as they allow you to get sturdy and healthy young plants that can then be potted on or planted out.

The cubes are supplied already moist and are inoculated with beneficial bacteria to accelerate the rooting process as well as micronutrients to nourish the young plants as they develop.

Growth Technology Root Riot Propagation Kit is also great if you want to avoid trailing the shops for equipment. The kit includes full instructions on how to plant seeds or cuttings, 24 Root Riot cubes, 100 ml of nutrient solution, a bottle of Clonex (rooting hormone gel), plant labels, a black pencil and even a sterile scalpel!

If you want to really go all out take a look at our range of hydroponics from Greenhouse Sensations. From small ones that can fit on your window sill to full on SolarGrow, QuadGrow or OctoGrow, hydroponics are great to use when the time comes to repot you seedlings.

We have had some fantastic results over the years and although we still grow plants using traditional methods we always come back to propagation products like Growth Technology Chilli Focus, Root Riot cubes and the use of hydroponics.

The Devil Grows Chillies

2011-02-11T07:20:00.000-08:00

We are not going to pretend we are the best at producing chillies here at the Devil’s Garden compared to experienced growers such as Woody from Firefoods and his Infinity Chilli or Ged from The Chilli Pepper Company and his now notorious Naga Viper Chilli (his super hot natural hot sauce Naga Viper is now back in stock, get your hands on it quick!).

We are still keen to show people how easy it can be to grow chillies though and have therefore set up a new blog called “The Devil Grows Chillies” where you will be able to see our crop of chillies for 2011 progressing from start to finish.

We have already started our chilli seeds, some of which are also available at The Devil’s Garden in our “Grow your own” section. We have also started tomatoes as we usually get very good results every year, especially when using hydroponics.

We hope to provide as many pictures, updates and information as possible over the coming months and hope to do this every year, changing or improving our methods each time. As always, we are here to provide you with advice if you need it so don’t hesitate and email us.

Spotlight on Chilli Focus

2011-02-10T07:49:00.000-08:00

Now is the perfect time to start your crop of chillies for 2011, so we thought we would bring to you some of the best fertilizer on the market, specifically manufactured for the needs of chillies.

Whether you are an experienced grower or just beginning to learn about chilli peppers, Chilli Focus from Growth Technology is the real deal to help you grow healthy and vigorous plants encumbered with colourful fruits (see our chilli seeds section for rare and popular chilli plants!).

Chilli Peppers have specific nutritional requirements and although one can get good results growing with traditional methods, we find that the extra push from Chilli Focus really makes a big difference.

Chilli Focus which in itself is a feeding programme for chillies is manufactured from the purest and most soluble mineral salts. It is fortified and enhanced with a complex profile of organic plant acids and contains no urea which is partly what sets Growth Technology apart from other competitors.

We have already started using some of that Chilli Focus (available in bottles of 300 ml or 500 ml) on our young chilli plants and the results are great. The leaves are plentiful and of a healthy green and you can tell that the plants are truly loving their vitamin boost!

Another Mad Sauce from Mad Dog!

2011-02-09T07:45:00.000-08:00

Let’s face it, there can never be enough hot sauces to content a true chilli head and the latest Mad Dog creation we offer at the Devil’s Garden is definitely one to try, that’s if you are up to the challenge of course!

Although not as hot as the silver edition but still totally insane, Mad Dog’s 357 Ghost Pepper hot sauce is well known and respected by chilli lovers all over the world. Only a couple of drops will liven up your meal. Some have tried it raw and lived to tell the tale but most of them regretted their cockiness!

It tastes fantastic though. A kind of sweet and smoky flavour that entices your tastebuds before the heat kicks in. The Ghost Pepper is of course the main component along with chilli extract but some habaneros and peri-peri peppers have also been added, creating an intense and complex mix of flavours.

So if your tastebuds are tired of the same old bland tastes, whip them up to shape with Mad Dog’s 357 Ghost Pepper Sauce!

A world of chutneys await you at Dartmoor Chilli Farm!

2011-02-07T06:57:00.000-08:00

We, at the Devil’s Garden, always try and bring you the latest and best chilli produce available out there. Dartmoor Chilli Farm yet again is one of the top brands for chilli chutneys, with three new arrivals:

Just when we thought we had tried pretty much any sweet chutney on the market, Dartmoor Chilli Farm come up with this great Plum, Apple and Cinnamon Chilli Chutney. We love making brie paninis with it or use it as a condiment alongside cold meats. The great thing about this chutney is that it is not overly sweet, making it truly delicious and adaptable to a number of dishes. The mild heat from Dartmoor Chilli Farm’s chilli powder also means that it can be enjoyed by the wariest of consumer.

Rhubarb lovers your prayers have been answered! Dartmoor Chilli Farm’s Rhubarb and Ginger Chilli Chutney is a dream come true. Dartmoor Chilli Farm have once again managed to create a chutney combining great flavours and what could be better than rhubarb, chilli and ginger? We particularly love it with Wensleydale or Lancashire cheese or as a side to a Ploughman’s Platter for a bit of a twist.

Last but not least is Dartmoor Chilli Farm’s Sweet Chilli Chutney which has an interesting mix of chillies: jalapeno, cayenne and cherry bomb. These different flavours combined with a medium heat create a wonderful chutney that we love having with pretty much anything!

New Hot Sauces from The Dartmoor Chilli Farm

2011-02-06T06:53:00.000-08:00

Keen to impress, Dartmoor Chilli Farm has come up with some new hot sauces that are extremely appealing.

First off is the Pineapple Hot Sauce made using fresh habaneros which are renowned for their fruitiness and the pungeant Hungarian Hot Wax chillies. This sauce from Dartmoor Chilli Farm is truly great used as a dip for Indian food (especially samosas!), a hot fruit coulis, as part of a salad dressing or marinade and even mixed in with yogurt!

Dartmoor Chilli Farm’s Dynamite Hot Sauce is their hottest sauce and as its name indicates it really packs a punch but is also full of flavour. Made with tomatoes, red peppers, cider vinegar and oregano, this is a sauce that goes with a hell of a lot of things but is also very pleasurable on its own. With over 20% of Bhut Jolokia chillies, this sauce has got an attitude and a heat that will last long after you have tasted it. We love it in pasta or stews or drizzled over goat’s cheese melting on a good wedge of just toasted farmhouse bread (awesome!)...

Although technically not a traditional hot sauce we couldn’t resist introducing Dartmoor Chilli Farm’s Ancho and Chocolate Sauce which is their own version of a traditional Mexican mole sauce which is made with their own dark chilli chocolate and archetypal ancho chillies. The smoothness and richness of the sauce make it highly delectable and can be used with sweet or savoury food. We have cooked it with chicken and smothered fresh strawberries with it and both really worked well!

So if you like it hot hot hot or want to be adventurous, try one of these great hot sauces and let us know what you think!

New Dartmoor Chilli Farm Condiments!

2011-01-31T06:23:00.000-08:00

Dartmoor Chilli Farm’s brand is proving very popular with a lot of our customers, not only because of the integrity of the farm itself but also for the innovativeness of its chilli produce.

We couldn’t wait to get our hands on Dartmoor Chilli Farm’s Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Chilli Rapeseed Oil. Rapeseed oil is making a huge comeback these days, not only because of its virtuous influence on the digestive system and as an aid to weight loss but also because of its extraordinary flavour.

This cold pressed extra virgin Rapeseed oil is from Fussells of Somerset (as seen on Dragon’s Den) with a mixture of Dartmoor Chilli Farm’s 2010 crop of chillies which have been dried using natural methods thus fully preserving their potency and aroma. We absolutely love this tasty oil drizzled over a nice salad or when preparing a quick stir-fry and also often use it in pasta or to roast vegetables.

The fantastic Red Fruit Chilli Vinegar from Dartmoor Chilli Farm is made with their own fresh chillies, raspberries, redcurrants and strawberries. It is exceptional used in dressings, as a marinade or basting sauce for meats, or simply used on its own in salads or poached fruits. We have tried it warm over new potatoes and also love it as a simple fruit coulis to liven up bland desserts.

Along with these two new chilli products, Dartmoor Chilli Farm has a wonderful Salad Dressing and of course many chilli chutneys, marmalades, chocolates, hot sauces and chilli jams available!

New Dartmoor Chilli Farm Marmalades!

2011-01-29T04:59:00.000-08:00

Dartmoor Chilli Farm is keen to stand out from the crowd and offering a wide range of chilli products using only the best ingredients. Most of their stock is also suitable for vegans, which makes them very appealing to a lot of our customers. We already hold many of their marmalades but we couldn’t resist getting another two sorts as soon as they became available:

Dartmoor Chilli Farm’s Vodka and Lime Chilli Marmalade is intriguing from the start. We believe that our breakfast and afternoon tea will never be the same after tasting this. The taste of vodka is just there in the background while the refreshing and tangy (but not bitter) lime invades your whole mouth! We can’t get enough of it, especially when spread on toast or fresh scone and accompanied by a good cup of tea or strong coffee.

Dartmoor Chilli Farm’s Gin and Lemon Chilli Marmalade is something different altogether. Depending on when or what you have it with, it either tastes like a really well crafted accompaniment to your food or your favourite cocktail! The slight bitterness from the gin is compensated by the tanginess of the lemon while the mild warmth from the chillies complements the whole blend with only one purpose: bliss!

So if you haven’t tried any marmalade from Dartmoor Chilli Farm yet, please have a look at all that the Devil’s Garden has got to offer as they are all wonderfully tasty!

Greenhouse Sensations SolarGrow

2011-01-25T07:13:00.000-08:00

We mentioned earlier that the Devil’s Garden now provides a wide range of chilli seeds, either popular or rare ones but when it comes to planting, people have various ways of producing good crops.

We had been using the traditional method for years when we came across Greenhouse Sensations who provide quality hydroponics that are suitable for the avid grower as much as the amateur living in the city with only a window box as a space for planting.

The SolarGrow is by far the most efficient way of growing chillies and other vegetables, especially tomatoes. Our first year brought us a crop of more than 250 cherry tomatoes from just one plant! The chillies this year have done very well and we have been able to fit 4 types of chilli plants in one SolarGrow. But what I hear you say is SolarGrow exactly?

Well it is a large self-watering planter which uses a soil-less growing method (which means you and your floor are actually kept clean!) and can be used indoors or outdoors. A solar powered pump delivers the perfect mix of water and nutrients helping the plants to grow strongly and quickly.

The SolarGrow comes complete with everything you need i.e a planter, solar panel, clay pebbles, capillary cubes and one season’s supply of specially formulated plant nutrients.

For only a small investmanet you could own a great tool to help you grow whatever takes your fancy and always get great results for the years to come!

Greenhouse Sensations WindowGrow

2011-01-24T07:09:00.000-08:00

Now think for a moment about all the tools and unnecessary impulse buys you have ever gotten from a garden centre on the spur of the moment… We are the first culprits and have countless items that are gathering dust in the shed. Our discovery of Greenhouse Sensations WindowGrow radically changed our buying habits though.

WindowGrow is a revolutionary window box and propagator in one which means that even if you live on the top floor of a skyscraper you can still manage to have a great crop of chillies, vegetables, garden herbs or simply flowers.

The Windowgrow is proving so popular because it overcomes all the pesky problems associated with traditional windowsill growing. The clever SmartMats keep your plants watered for up to two weeks and prevents over watering and under watering, whilst the drip-proof design means it can be used indoors or outdoors.

We absolutely love it and always go back to it despite the other alternatives that are available to us at The Devil’s Garden. We have had very good feedback from customers who have never tried growing plants before and have obtained really good results and even experienced gardeners have told us that their plants are healthier and harvests are heavier.

So for a small outlay you can be sure of getting a useful tool that will last you years and also have your own edible garden growing right there on your window sill!

Rare Chilli Seeds - Part 3

2011-01-22T04:32:00.000-08:00

Also known as Ciliega Piccante or Baccio de Satana, this Southern Italian pepper's name translates roughly to 'little cherry', but is more commonly known here as Satan's Kiss. This is a gorgeous and sturdy plant to grow, producing 2cm round fruits turning from dark green to silky red. The chilli pepper itself is rather hot when eaten raw but looses quite a lot of its pungency when cooked. These are traditionally stuffed with anchovies and mozzarella then grilled but we prefer eating them raw stuffed with feta or Parma ham.

The Santa Fe Grande chilli pepper originates from the south of the United States and is notorious for its delicious fresh-tasting sweet flesh and fairly mild pungency. The Santa Fe Grande chilli plant is quite sturdy and grows to 25 inches tall, with fruits about 5 cm long and 2.5 cm wide, going from a pale yellow colour to bright orange and a fiery red when mature. There are many ways to use the Santa Fe Grande in cooking but we love having it chopped up and sprinkled on pizza, pickled during winter or smothered in cream cheese before grilling.

The Georgia Flame chilli pepper originates from the Republic of Georgia, hence its name, and is widely used by cooks thanks to its crunchy flesh and mild spicy taste. The plant generally grows up to 24 inches tall and generates heavy yields of long peppers that have few seeds and maximum flavour. The Georgia Flame chilli peppers mature from a deep green to an iridescent red in approximately 90 days. We have used it countless times in salsas or grilled stuffed with tomato rice, feta or cream cheese.

The Serrano Tampiqueno is commonly used in Mexican cuisine as it has a truly unique flavour and a good medium heat that works well with all kinds of recipes. The plants are rather large and produce 2 inch thin walled slender fruits that start green and go through a whole range of colours before settling on a glossy tantalising red. This chilli pepper is a great variety to dry or pickle and use up in winter and is excellent in quick recipes rather than slow cooked stews.

So there you go! Remember, if you are not sure what to choose in regards to chilli seeds we are always here to help and provide advice. Have a good 2011 crop!

Rare Chilli Seeds - Part 2

2011-01-20T04:10:00.000-08:00

Making a choice between all the types of chillies out there is sometime tough, at The Devil's Garden we have endeavored to give you a wide range of chilli seeds for you to experiment with amongst which are the following:

The heart-shaped pod of the Ancho Grande is about three to six inches long and about two to three inches wide with a mild to medium heat although there are some unpredictable ones that pack up a punch. When young the fruit is of a vibrant dark green colour which matures into a glowing red. One of our favourite ways of having them is to puree the chillies in a food processor and add the paste to mayonnaise or tomato sauce for a delicious and delicately spicy pick me up!

The Numex Big Jim is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the producer of the largest Chile pods ever grown, with specimens in excess of a foot long (12 inches) not unknown. Although the plants are vigorous and grow relatively easily, their size is actually quite small in comparison to the gigantic pods they produce. You can be sure of getting a good crop every time with the NuMex Big Jim as up to 30 pods may grow on a single plant, which ripen from green to deep red approximately 100 days after transplanting seedlings.

True to its name, The Bulgarian Carrot chilli plant with attractive white flowers produces baby carrot like hot pods up to 10cm in length and is ideally suited to grow in pots thanks to the bright orange fruits appearing in heavy clusters close to the stem. Also known as 'Shipkas' this charming heirloom was supposedly smuggled out through the iron curtain 20 years ago. The Bulgarian Carrot holds its ground heat wise and goes from green to yellow and then to a gorgeous glossy orange when at full maturity, approximately 80 days after transplanting.

Originating from South America, the Bishop’s Crown’s plant grows 3 to 4 feet tall and usually produces 30 to 50 pods of an interesting shape with 3 or 4 flat wings, hence its name of “Bishop’s Crown”. This plant needs to be started early as it is longer than the average chilli plant to mature but the reward is definitely worth it. The Bishop’s Crown when fully mature (7 cm) is of a gorgeous red, with a sweet and mild flesh, the heat being stored in the actual seeds and membranes of the fruit.

A beautiful plant to grow, the Black Hungarian is a variety that is much loved, not only because of its ornamental qualities but also because its shiny black fruits are very flavoursome (red when mature) and just above a sweet pepper in terms of heat. The plant itself is quite sturdy with beautiful purple veins and attractive dark flowers. It usually grows up to 40’’ tall, quickly producing good crops of chillies that are ideal to use in every day cooking.

The Fatalii chilli pepper might not be as famous as its hananero cousin but it is phenomenal in its own right. Its heat is extreme and its pungent citrusy flavour marries itself particularly well to many types of cuisine. The plant originally comes from Central Africa and grows up to 30’’ tall, generally producing a good crop of fruits that turn from green to golden yellow when mature.

Rare Chilli Seeds – Part 1

2011-01-18T04:05:00.000-08:00

Most people have heard of chilli peppers such as Habaneros, Jalapenos or Cayenne. But how about growing rarer but equally fantastic chilli peppers? At the Devil’s Garden we have a great selection of chilli seeds for you to choose from:

The spicy and sweet Hungarian Yellow Wax is famous for its amazing yields. The smooth and waxy yellow chilli peppers are 5 to 8 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide with a sweet flesh which tapers to a blunt tip. Delightful to the eye, these prolific chillies are great for stuffing and pickling but we just love them as they are in a nice salad or with chicken.

The fresno plant with attractive white flowers produces heavy crops of 2-3 inches long conical fruits which can be used green or when ripening to red. Fresno Chilli Peppers are similar to jalapenos but a tad less meaty and with a thinner skin and a medium heat that makes them ideal for various types of salsas. Drying or reducing to powder is not recommended though.

The Anaheim chilli pepper plant grows up to 10 inches long and 2 inches wide. Anaheim peppers are very popular in Mexican cuisine and are at their best harvested during summer when still green although they are also lovely when fully ripe and red. It’s a great chilli to have for making a fresh salsa but is also commonly used roasted in the oven stuffed with cheese or fried.

The NuMex Joe E Parker chilli pepper is similar to its Anaheim cousin, with thicker walls, more flesh and generally longer bodied. The Joe E Parker turns from green to red quickly and is so prolific that Mexicans use it to make decorative wreaths. In terms of flavour, the NuMex Joe E Parker chilli pepper is deeply satisfying, with a thick, crisp and fresh texture and is great used in salads or sprinkled on your meal just after serving.

The Red Cherry chilli pepper as you can imagine is called as such due to their striking resemblance to the actual fruit. But don’t go thinking that they are above suspicion! Although quite sweet these chilli peppers really pack a punch! They are not great dried because of their thick flesh but are absolutely fantastic pickled or chopped up and served with sandwiches and salads. The plant itself produces numerous pods over a season with a harvest roughly 80 days after potting on.

Scotch Bonnet Chilli Seeds

2011-01-17T06:08:00.000-08:00

Scotch bonnet, also known as Boabs Bonnet, Scotty Bons or Bonney peppers, is a variety of chili pepper that belongs to the same species as the habanero. A cultivar of the habanero, it is one of the hottest peppers in the world. Found mainly in the Caribbean islands and also in Guyana and the Maldives Islands, it is named for its resemblance to a Tam o'shanter hat. The Devil’s Garden has got seeds of two species for you to grow:

The Scotch Bonnet Orange is known for its mushroom shaped thin-walled pod, pungent heat and peculiar flavour. Each chilli of this particular species measures 2.5 to 4 cm long by 2.50 to 3 cm wide and matures from a lovely pale green to bright orange. Originating from Jamaica, these chilli peppers are late to mature (September) but are so worth the wait! We absolutely love making olive oil or dressings with scotch bonnets and we think they are at their best when eaten raw rather than cooked but it’s up to you decide once you’ve harvested them!

The fiery red Scotch Bonnet is most loved in the chilli world, not only for its heat reaching 300,000 SHU but also because of its incredible flavour and versatility. This variety of Scotch Bonnets is spherical and matures from pale green to bright red. It is a really fantastic chilli pepper to use in salsas and sauces, especially tomato based ones.

If you want to get an idea of the incredible flavour of this chilli pepper then why not try Chilli Pepper Pete’s Just Scotch Bonnets? Chilli Queen’s Brown Sauce with Scotch Bonnets is also out of this world while Dave’s Scotch Bonnet Hot Sauce is a real winner! Cambridge Chilli Farm has also managed to create a heavenly Sweet Chilli Hot Sauce which will make you want to explore the delights of exotic cuisine!

Habanero Chilli Seeds

2011-01-15T06:04:00.000-08:00

The habanero chili pepper is originally from Cuba (hence the name Habanero, which means 'from Havana') and was later introduced by the Cubans to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. While Mexico is the largest consumer of this spicy ingredient, its flavor and aroma have become increasingly popular all over the world.

The habanero's heat, its fruity, citrus-like flavor, and its floral aroma have made it a popular ingredient in hot sauces and spicy foods. In some cases, particularly in Mexico, habaneros are placed in tequila or mezcal bottles for a period ranging from several days, to several weeks, to make a spiced version of the drink. The Devil’s Garden has got the seeds of four gorgeous varieties for you to grow:

The Habanero White is said to originate from Peru hence its full title of “Peruvian White Lightning” Habanero pepper. This lovely and rare variety produces lantern shaped peppers with creamy white skin and, despite their rather minute size, are over 300,000 on the Scoville scale! In terms of flavour these white habaneros are known for their incredible aroma and work very well in fruity sauces or on their own, either raw or cooked.

The Red Habanero Chili, also called the Caribbean Red is famous for its potency with pods reaching 445,000 SHU. The particular fruity flavour of this habanero means it is widely utilised to make many different kinds of hot sauces, salsas and marinades although it is of also wonderful used in cooking. The plant yielding habanero red chilli peppers is very productive and grows up to 36’’ tall. Over watering will produce bitter tasting peppers so only water the plant when dry.

Although slower to germinate than other varieties, the lantern-shaped Habanero Orange chilli pepper is well worth the wait and a very prolific plant if kept in warm conditions. Not as hot as the Chocolate Habanero, the orange version is still pretty hot and can reach up to 350,000 SHU. We really love using it in Indian and Jamaican cuisine either chopped up in a quick dish or slowly cooked all day long.

The Habanero Chocolate is probably one of the most known chilli pepper of the habanero family, not only because of its incredible fruity and smoky flavour but also because its SHU rating usually averages 500,000! Also known as the “Congo Black”, the pods from this heavy yielding plant are about 2’’ wide and ripen from emerald green to an enticing chocolate brown. This chilli pepper is mainly used to make Jamaican Jerk Sauce but it is also great used in pretty much any dish that takes your fancy, especially if you like it hot hot hot!

Jalapeno Chilli Seeds

2011-01-13T08:10:00.000-08:00

The jalapeno is a medium sized chili pepper named after Xalapa, Veracruz, where it was traditionally cultivated. The growing period is usually between 70 and 80 days with plants standing two and a half to three feet tall. A plant will generally produce 25 to 35 pods and can be picked multiple times, making it a favourite amongst growers.

The peppers can be eaten green or red and are good in many types of cooking, pickled or simply sliced on top of pizza. At the Devil’s Garden we have three kinds of Jalapeno Chilli Seeds for you to choose from:

The Jalapeno Purple is a beautiful ornamental plant producing bulled-shaped jalapenos that are usually larger than the average green version, with a medium heat and are excellent used in salads or fresh salsas. The plant itself is very productive, especially if benefiting from direct sunlight, with bright multi-coloured leaves that go from dark purple to deep green with a veined effect. The peppers will eventually turn red at full maturity but the flavour is better when purple still.

Jalapeno Early Chilli Peppers are very popular due to their excellent flavour and mild heat. From only one Jalapeno Early plant you should get around 30 bullet shaped pods going from dark forest green to brilliant scarlet red. The Jalapeno Early is such a vigorous plant that you should get a continuous crop over a few weeks. The peppers can be eaten either green or red and are perfect used on nachos, pizzas, fresh or pickled.

The Tam Jalapeno is great for kids to cultivate as these chilli peppers are relatively mild so children can have the satisfaction of seeing their plant grow and eat the fruit as a reward afterwards! This chilli pepper is a derivative of the traditional Jalapeno but is milder although still packed with flavour. The pod turns red when fully ripe but it is better to consume it when still green and goes with pretty much anything!

Although not the spiciest chilli out there the Jalapeno chilli plant is easy to grow with a fruit that is extremely versatile and mild enough for everybody to enjoy!

The Devil’s Garden Chilli Seeds are here!

2011-01-10T05:04:00.000-08:00

January is the best time to dust ourselves off and get back into the thick of things, especially after the overindulging of the festive season.

And what better to do than to start preparing your own crop of fresh chillies? Have a look at the hydroponics in our “grow your own” section where you can see what’s best to suit your needs even if you live in a top floor flat.

We have added lots of new chilli seeds that range from mild to wild and can’t wait to hear how your crop is going. Each year we usually grow a combination of indoor plants such as the Bulgarian Carrot or Serrano Tampiqueno and outdoor or greenhouse plants such as Habanero (red, orange or white), Jalapeno (Tam, Early or Purple) or the much loved Scotch Bonnet (Red or Orange).

We have lots of various rarer species such as Anaheim, Bishop’s Crown, Fatalii, Red Cherry, Satan’s Kiss and many more that can be used in everyday cooking or simply eaten on their own. The Georgia Flame or NuMex Big Jim are ideal for those who like stuffed peppers while the Pasilla Bajio and Ancho Grande are great to flavour sauces.

Whatever you go for, you can be sure of getting quality chilli seeds from The Devil’s Garden as all our seeds come from a DEFRA registered source.

You will also definitely get your money’s worth as all chilli seeds are delivered for free in the UK! So trowels at the ready and let’s get planting!

Happy New Year to all Chilli Heads

2011-01-05T10:20:00.000-08:00

Another year, another opportunity to discover what the chilli world has got to offer, whether you are just starting up or are already an advanced chilli head!

The Devil’s Garden has got lots more chilli chutneys, mustards, relishes, salsas, chocolates, jellies, spicy snacks and of course devilish hot sauces in store for you and we cannot wait for everybody to have a go and sample the best of what the UK and US produce.

For now and with everybody recovering from Christmas and New Year, we advise you to have a look at our “Grow your own” section where you can see what hydroponics are all about. They are a great and easy way to get a few plants going even if you are a novice and/or are limited with space. Now is the time to start your chilli crop for this year so why not treat yourself to a few of the rarest and most popular chilli plants like Jalapeno Purple or Habanero Orange (free UK delivery on all chilli seeds!)

We are always looking for more input and recommendations from our customers so please do not hesitate and give us some feedback about our website or service by emailing us as info@thedevilsgarden.co.uk

May 2011 bring you lots of chilli goodness!

More Spicy Snacks

2010-12-07T07:54:00.000-08:00

Spicy snacks at the Devil’s Garden are really proving popular and we admit we are quite partial to them ourselves!

Our bestsellers are definitely Blair’s Death Rain range of chilli crisps which range from Cheddar to Habanero, Buffalo Wings to Parmesan & Habanero and of course Chipotle. Dave’s Smokin Nuts and Burning Nuts are also definite winners and we usually run out of stocks pretty quickly.

Personally we can’t get enough of chilli nuts. They are just so easy to carry about, they fill you up quickly and are of course yummy! Hot Headz’ Satan’s Nuts and Who Dares Burns’ Nuts are just great, as much in terms of spice as in taste!

Chilli Puffs are really good value for money. They come in a big bag and the more bites you take the more addicted you get to them. They are milder than chilli nuts, which is ideal for people who want a medium spiced chilli snack.

Dave’s Insanity Popcorn is a snack that we were really keen to get. Dave’s Insanity hot sauce is one of our bestsellers and the popcorn seems to be quickly following the same path.

For those with a sweet tooth, there are plenty of chilli chocolate goodies to choose from. Dartmoor Chilli Farm’s chocolate is just out of this world but the Chilli Pepper Company is now also producing great organic dark chocolate as well as Flaming Fireballs which as you can imagine, are not for the faint-hearted!

Our new favourite in terms of sweet chilli snack is chilli fudge. The Chilli Pepper Company has two different kinds, a Ginger one which is medium in heat and a Hot & Spicy one that is of course much hotter! Every square of chilli fudge melts in your mouth and the packet always ends up empty too quickly!

We will definitely be adding more spicy snacks in the coming months so have a look at our New Products and Spicy Snacks section soon for more chilli treats!

Grow Your Own!

2010-12-04T08:30:00.000-08:00

January is usually the best time to start preparing your crops. We have now dedicated a whole section of our website to growing equipment and chilli seeds labelled “Grow your own”.

We are always keen to compare how chilli pepper plants perform in a natural environment or in “scientific” equipment such as lights and hydroponics. Hydroponics have definitely been a big help for us in the past couple of years and we see a definite improvement in growth and number of chillies on the plant every time although we still love the traditional manner with soil and natural light.

We love to use Greenhouse Sensations’ Window Grow as it is very easy to use and is fantastic, not only for chilli plants but also for kitchen herbs. We used our Quad Grow for chilli plants and tomatoes this summer and the plants soon found themselves very confined despite our sizeable greenhouse!

We have many chilli seeds to go on the website yet but for now four types are available which are not your average chilli pepper. We are keen to grow all sorts of chillies, either mild or insane so we will surely develop this in the coming months.

We look forward to get feedback from our customers letting us know how their crops are doing and we are definitely available if anybody needs any advice on planting and developing their chilli pepper plant.

Limited Edition from The Chilli Pepper Company

2010-12-03T07:26:00.000-08:00

The Chilli Pepper Company is well known for its crazy concoctions, especially 10 minute burn hot sauce which has been banned from no less than three chilli shows since its creation. We tried it at the West Dean Chilli Fiesta this year and it was quite insane!

But Ged from the Chilli Pepper Company thought it would be good to make something even hotter using the same recipe but more chilli extract and give it the name of 15 minute burn “Pocket Rocket”!

Poured into a 30 ml bottle with tamper proof lid, this devilish liquid is to be used as a food additive only. The flavour is amazing though. From personal experience, you get about 5 heavenly seconds of incredibly fruity flavour of Bhut Jolokia before the chilli extract hits. And boy does it not mess about!

We love being able to carry around without having to worry it’s going to spill everywhere and it’s a great chilli produce to show to your friends and family. 15 minute burn “Pocket Rocket” is a limited edition just for Christmas though so get yourself a bottle before stock runs out!

Mystery Boxes are Here!

2010-12-02T05:20:00.000-08:00

With Christmas fast approaching we thought we would give customers the opportunity to get Devil’s Garden’s mystery boxes although these are also great to get as a personal treat or for someone’s birthday.

We have ensured that all tastes are catered for so you can choose between three levels of intensity between Mild to Medium, Medium to Hot and Extreme. We also thought it would be nice for people to be surprised and not know at all what they are getting so there is a mystery box called “surprise me!” which will be a selection of produce across our range.

You also have the choice to spend £15, £25 or £35 per box as we are trying to be as flexible as possible and meet customers’ expectations on a constant basis.

We will soon introduce a gift wrapping option but for now boxes will arrive in the normal packaging of bubble wrap and corrugated cardboard. We have decided to post each box for a fiver rather than calculate the delivery cost by the number of items so customers really do get a bargain every time.

We hope that these Devil’s Garden’s mystery boxes will be a great way for people to distribute great chilli produce to friends and family and make others discover new hot sauces, preserves, chilli chocolates and many more hot treats. We look forward to developing this side of the business and will endeavour to make these a staple feature of The Devil’s Garden.

An unofficial world record for The Devil’s Garden!

2010-12-01T10:17:00.001-08:00

We told you not so long ago about Ged from The Chilli Pepper Company setting a new world record with his devilish Naga Viper, a cross breed between a Naga and a Trinidad Scorpion.

Well, we knew we couldn’t compete on that level of hotness so we decided to go for something rather radically different i.e the world’s smallest habanero chilli pepper!

The weather hasn’t been really merciful in the North this year and with the sun shining and then not, the rain pouring in and then not, the hosepipe ban, the wind actually moving our greenhouse from its original location and destroying a couple of glass panels in the process while jumbling all our crops upside down, we were lucky to get any chillies at all this year!

In sorting out the mess of various chilli plants in said greenhouse the boss did find the habanero that you can see in the picture. It might not be the biggest habanero chilli pepper ever but after careful consideration for its size and homage to its achievement, we decided to eat it whole and were delighted to find it really tasty!

We don’t know what next year’s crop has got in store for us but we can’t wait to get a similar unofficial world record!

Blair's Hot Sauces - Part 2

2010-11-25T10:04:00.000-08:00

So here we are in our countdown of Blair’s Hot Sauces and we are now entering the realm of really scorching hot with Blair’s Pure Death Hot Sauce. The simplicity of this fantastic chunky hot sauce is what makes its popularity. The bright orange colour comes from the fresh habanero pods used which are mixed with Naga Jolokia pepper, vinegar and Baked Hawaiian Red Salt which is something you don’t find in hot sauces every day! We see why Blair’s called it “Pure Death”. It is hot but clean and fresh, without the need for anything else but these four ingredients.

Blair’s After Death hot sauce is close to the Original Death one but with some pure pepper resin added to it so you still get the rich flavour that regular customers love but with a deep heat that will definitely make you sweat!

Blair’s Sudden Death Hot sauce is to be used as a food additive rather than on its own, you only need a few drops to make any stew or tomato sauce based dish come alive... literally! Made intriguingly with Siberian Ginseng and Clover Honey this complex and fiery hot sauce is a must have for any chilli head.

Blair’s Mega Death Hot Sauce is one of our bestsellers and it’s not difficult to see why. Blair’s call this hot sauce “The Attitude Adjustment”...need we say more? Before coming up with revenge scenarios about your mother-in-law or teenage kids though, just know that this sauce contains ingredients 500 times hotter than your average jalapeno chilli pepper... You have been warned!

And for the grand finale, Blair’s Hotter than Hot Hot Sauce, we present you: Blair’s Ultra Death Hot Sauce!! Just when you thought it couldn’t get any hotter Blair comes up with this Hot Sauce which is just for insatiable heat freaks as it contains ingredients 800 times hotter than your average jalapeno... To be used as a food additive only, this is definitely not the kind of sauce you should spread on your toast in the morning.

Blair's Hot Sauces - Part 1

2010-11-23T10:01:00.000-08:00

Blair’s has got many followers in the world. Not only because the brand has been around since 1989 but also because its produce is just above most US and UK brands out there. We thought we would therefore give you an overview of its hot sauces going from mild to wild.

Blair’s Sweet Death Hot sauce is the mildest of the range but don’t be fooled, it’s still much hotter than your average Tabasco or supermarket-bought hot sauce. It is a delicious and complex sauce that keeps you guessing with its dense medium hot flavour.

Blair’s Jalapeno Death Hot Sauce with Tequila is famous because of its aspect and title but the flavour is what makes it truly memorable. Made with shallots, garlic, tomatoes, lime and the added bonus of blue agave tequila, all these flavours blend in wonderfully with the fresh jalapeno pepper to form a deliciously tangy sauce.

An incredible blend of scotch bonnet chilli pepper, mustard seeds, habanero powder, turmeric and just enough smokiness from chipotle chillies comes together in Blair’s Golden hot sauce which will make you weak in the knees from the first mouthful.

Getting a bit hotter now, Blair’s Original Death Hot Sauce is made with smoky chipotle, red habaneros and cayenne chillies, this great Original Blair’s everyday sauce packs a punch but is also full of flavour thanks to the added crushed garlic and key lime juice.

We can’t get enough of Blair’s Salsa de la Muerte. The smashed garlic, tantalising red and orange habaneros, coriander, fresh cayenne and hint of chipotle might seem a lot to take on at first but fear not, your tastebuds will thank you for it. With a good consistency and an all round heat that slowly builds in and lingers on, this hot sauce from Blair’s successful Death range is a great achievement.

Mystery Boxes on The Devil's Garden

2010-11-21T02:21:00.000-08:00

At the Devil’s Garden we are always keen to expand in various areas, whether it is in bringing you the best of what the US and UK chilli markets have got to offer, having a website that is practical and appealing but also providing you with diverse opportunities to suit your chilli needs.

Christmas is fast approaching and in view of this we are keen to offer you the chance to order “Mystery Boxes”. For a set amount of money to suit your wallet The Devil’s Garden will send you or your friends a parcel of chilli goodies selected from our extensive range. We can either post it or deliver it personally if you are located in Lancaster or Morecambe.

Just imagine your friends’ faces when finding The Chilli Pepper Company’s 10 Minute Burn Hot Sauce for example, “Blair’s Sudden Death” or “Cambridge Chilli Farm Habanero Gold Jam”. Dartmoor Chilli Farm is always a great brand for chilli beginners while Chilli Pepper Pete is renowned for its hot stuff!

Everybody loves surprises so you can either trust us to select the products or you can narrow the selection down to “hot sauces only” or “chilli preserves” or “chilli chocolate” and also a level of intensity from “Mild” to “Medium” to “Wild”. We are tuning up the technical side of things but watch this space as it shouldn’t be long until we’ve got everything up and running.

The Chilli Pepper Company 10 Minute Burn Hot Sauce

2010-11-18T09:31:00.000-08:00

You might wonder why we would dedicate a whole blog to just one hot sauce. Well the answer is simple: The Chilli Pepper Company 10 Minute Burn Hot Sauce is just awesome!!

Banned from three chilli shows since its creation and a massive hit at the West Dean Chilli Fiesta this year, 10 Minute Burn hot sauce is famous because of the “episodes” it brings on. When trying it at some chilli shows, a handful of people apparently rolled in the grass laughing uncontrollably, others had to sit down for half an hour to recover and some (like me) had their ears ringing for a good 10 minutes (which proves it’s worth its title!). Darth Naga had the same symptoms than the boss of the Devil’s Garden: the tears, the sweat and definitely the hiccups!!

What is great about this hot sauce though is that you get a good 5-6 seconds of intense fruity flavour, kind of like a boiled sweet really, taking over your whole mouth before getting hit by the pepper extract. It is a high worth experiencing but we definitely recommend sitting down first and lining your stomach with milk if you are definitely set on trying it as your insides will definitely go on a hell of a roller-coaster!

Jokes aside though, this is for hardcore chilli lovers and should only really be used as a food additive rather than a “let’s have a bit of fun” kind of hot sauce! We are quickly running out of stock already it’s that popular. Ged, the man behind the sauce is cooking us a new batch but in the meantime make sure to get your hands on a bottle before it’s all sold out!

The Chilli Pepper Company at the Holker Winter Market

2010-11-10T10:11:00.000-08:00

At the Devil’s Garden, we are always keen to show our support to our various suppliers and thought it would be nice to say hello to Gerald, the man behind the Chilli Pepper Company, at the Holker Winter Market last weekend.

The weather was absolutely fantastic albeit a bit cold but it meant a lot of people went indoors, where Gerald’s stand was, in order to warm up. It was a rather compact winter market but full of Christmas anticipation and spirit. Gerald had set up shop in a prominent position and a lot of people were interested in what he had to sell.

He asked us to try some of his infamous Naga Viper, currently the hottest chilli in the world. We’re not going to pretend we ate a whole chilli pod, especially on a near empty stomach, and thought we would give you a more accurate description if we weren’t writhing on the floor calling for our mummy to come and make it all better.

Ged gave us a 5mm piece to try and we were bowled over by the flavour right away. It is definitely more Trinidad Scorpion in taste than Naga but the pungency is definitely coming from the latter! We weren’t keeling over but definitely realised why it had won its title!

Other goodies included a delicious dark chilli chocolate, some ginger & chilli fudge and of course his notorious Flaming Fireballs! As for the sauces and preserves, well most of them sold out, especially after all the chilli festivals this summer but fret not as Ged promised he would cook us more of everything, including his famous 10 minute burn hot sauce and the new Naga Viper hot sauce as soon as possible!

The Devil’s Garden – Going from strength to strength

2010-11-09T07:27:00.000-08:00

Some of our customers are surprised at how young The Devil’s Garden is. We only started trading in January 2010 but we are already putting our stamp on the chilli world (or we’d at least like to think so!).

A lot of our customers have praised our efficient and friendly customer service. We are the first to be frustrated by online shops who send you products 3 days after you’ve ordered them or that never reply to you when you contact them. We usually answer queries within 24 hours and if we are able to catch the post we usually try and send products the same day they have been ordered.

At the Devil’s Garden we are keen to suit your individual needs so never hesitate to write to us at info@thedevilsgarden.co.uk if you are planning something special for your partner’s birthday for example or just want some advice on a hot sauce and even if you want to customise a package.

We now have more than 200 products for you to choose from on The Devil’s Garden website, ranging from hot sauces of course to chilli preserves, chilli chocolate, chilli mustards, condiments, dried chillies and ground chilli powder as well as chilli chutneys and so much more! We just cannot wait to add more products as we go along and are looking forward to getting more regular customers and as much feedback as possible.

We have so many ideas to make this website your one stop shop to anything spicy but these things take time so come and check on our progress in the coming months as there are a lot of exciting features in the pipeline!

Who Will Win?

2010-11-07T07:19:00.000-08:00

There seems to be a real competition going on in the UK at the moment as to who will grow the world’s hottest chilli. A few years back everybody got amazed by the SHU (Scoville Heat Unit) of the Scotch Bonnet chilli pepper (up to 350,000) but now you hear every few weeks that a new record has been awarded.

Woody from Firefoods definitely made some noise at the start of the year with his Infinity Chilli rating at a whopping 1,176,182 SHU!! Before that Chilli Pepper Pete created a Naga that was 1,086,844 SHU so not too far behind.

Ged from The Chilli Pepper Company has just won the cup though with his Naga Viper chilli pepper (1,349,000 SHU) which is apparently “hot enough to strip paint”! Ged mentioned in the paper that his “chilli is even hotter than the Bhut Jolokia, which the Indian government has been looking at using in hand grenades”.

You might be tempted to think that it can’t get any hotter than that… well there is the Naga Hari that is currently being tested. Grower Jon Rose believes his eye-watering hybrid variety is more fiery than any other grown on the planet as it is a cross between two fearsome strains found in Northern India.

So I guess time will tell who has got a new world record on their hands but in the meantime, let’s all bow down to the awesome taste and pungency of these chillies and the great hot sauces and preserves that derive from them!

Blair's Success

2010-11-06T01:34:00.000-07:00

Blair’s started in 1989 and hasn’t stopped growing ever since. Most people know Blair’s because of the famous “Death” range and trademark skull keyring that has allowed a sort of secret community of hot sauce lovers to form over the years all around the world.

At the Devil’s Garden we love Blair’s not only for its amazing hot sauces, crisps, spice shakers and much more but also because of its integrity. In view of Blair’s success in the US, the brand has had many tempting lucrative deals offered on a plate to mass produce and sell their most successful products to supermarkets. It just shows Blair’s honourable and feisty side that the brand didn’t sell out to corporate entities like so many other hot sauce producers have in the UK or the US.

We are proud to have all of Blair’s Death range hot sauces and people don’t seem to get enough of Blair’s Death Rain crisps! These are hard to get in the UK and we are soon getting some new stock but it’s not rare to get an order for a box of 28 at a time so if you want some, be quick!

If you haven’t tried Blair’s produce yet then make sure to get one of his awesome hot sauces or spice shakers that you can bring pretty much anywhere with you. We surely do!

The Health Benefits of Chillies

2010-11-05T05:47:00.000-07:00

Chilli Peppers have been used for thousands of years not only for their spicy flavour but also for their medicinal values.

Many wonder why human beings would consume chillies at all. After all, the Capsaicin found in the chillies’ membrane provokes a burning sensation which can lead to severe discomfort, especially with the cross-breads that are currently being engineered like the Infinity Chilli, Naga Viper or the Naga Hari which are nearly as pungent as warfare chilli pepper spray (2,000,000 Scoville Heat Units).

But if we look closely at the beneficial side of chilli peppers, many features can help if not cure our everyday ailments. For example, levels of Vitamin C in chillies are seven times higher as compared to the level of Vitamin C found in oranges. Chillies are also packed with Vitamin A, B, C and E and are rich in minerals. The body releases Capsaicin-like substances when injured so Capsaicin from chilli peppers is currently used in topical ointments as well as a high-dose dermal patch to relieve pain or peripheral neuropathy. Capsaicin can also bring temporary relief of minor aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with arthritis, backache, strains and sprains.

Try one of these!!!

2010-11-03T04:55:00.000-07:00

Three new products are now available at the Devil’s Garden, two hot sauces and a fiery Mexican cheesy sauce to die for!

Part of Hot Headz’ Naga Series, Hot Headz Naga & Chipotle Hot Sauce is just the best of both worlds. This hot sauce is just fantastic for those who love the smokiness of chipotles but also like it hot hot hot! For the price of one hot sauce you get two of the most loved chilli peppers out there! Use with caution though, it is extremely hot as is it mixed with a hint of pepper extract!

We love Blair’s Golden Death Hot Sauce and if ever there was a hot sauce to use on a daily basis as a condiment or mixed in with food it’s this one! Blair’s talent and passion for chillies truly show in this hot sauce. An incredible blend of scotch bonnet chilli pepper, mustard seeds, habanero powder, turmeric and just enough smokiness from chipotle chillies will make you weak in the knees from the first mouthful. The flavour of this hot sauce is just sublime and the heat is deeply enjoyable too, just enough warmth to make you aware of its potency but no vicious afterkick!

Chile Con Queso is a smooth creamy sauce made from a blend of melted cheeses, cream and chilli peppers and usually served warm to be eaten with Fajitas, Tacos, Enchiladas and Quesadillas. It is rather difficult to find a good one in the UK but Hot Headz is once more here to the rescue! Their own version uses the fiery and flavoursome Habanero chilli pepper and a hint of Jalapeno, also using a blend of spices that will make you salivate as soon as you open the large jar. You can now impress your friends by serving a large dish of nachos smothered with this great Chile Con Queso straight out of the oven!

Support Dartmoor Chilli Farm

2010-10-31T04:50:00.000-07:00

A lot of people in the UK are currently trying to support Dartmoor Chilli Farm, one of our most popular suppliers.

Phil and Kay are keen to lead a life as “green” as possible. We met them this summer and we just could not understand why the government is giving them such a hard time. Their polytunnels are barely visible and their farm is extremely well kept.

Dartmoor Chilli Farm runs on solar panels and windmills and doesn’t even have bins as they recycle absolutely everything. Phil and Kay are both vegan and don’t use any form of chemicals on their chilli plants and other fruit s and vegetables. Some of you have already commented on how wonderful their Chilli Jam and Hot Strawberry Jam are (the strawberries are actually from the farm) and we are keen to see them develop into a major chilli brand.

So please follow the link below and help support Dartmoor Chilli Farm, one of the most environmentally conscious businesses we have ever encountered. Please also mention it to your friends and family on your facebook page or via Twitter!

http://www.petition.co.uk/support-the-dartmoor-chilli-farm

Hot Headz Nutty Nuts

2010-10-30T05:16:00.000-07:00

Whether you like eating them between meetings at work, in your local pub alongside a nice cool pint or simply at home in front of the telly or with some friends who have just popped round, nuts are just the best.

Now when it comes to chilli nuts there are a lot of different kinds out there and let’s face it, many are just not worth bothering. We knew that Hot Headz would bring in their own twist though and create nuts not only flavoursome but also pretty darn hot (understatement of the century…)!

You just need to try Hot Headz Satan’s Nuts. If you already are a fan of Hot Headz’ Satan’s Sweat Hot Sauce then these nuts will literally blow your mind away! For those who do not know this notorious hot sauce, just imagine simple cashews transformed thanks to a devilish naga chilli mix. This is definitely not something you will find in supermarkets!

For peanut lovers, get your hands on Hot Headz Who Dares Burns! Nuts. It is a hellish chilli snack to eat by the crate (or slowly one peanut at a time if you’re a chilli beginner...) until your tastebuds beg for mercy! These chilli peanuts are already hugely popular so make sure to get some before they’re sold out!

Cambridge Chilli Farm Preserves

2010-10-25T06:36:00.000-07:00

With an array of preserves to its name despite only starting in October 2008, Cambridge Chilli Farm is a brand that we love more and more. Here are some of its chilli treats available at the Devil’s Garden:

An inspired and truly special chilli jam is Cambridge Chilli Farm Habanero Gold Chilli Jam. It is a cross between a traditional fruity jam and a chilli based one. Mild enough for children to enjoy, this chilli jam is made of our beloved habanero chilli and has a pleasant aftertaste of apricots.

Cambridge Chilli Farm Raspberry & Chilli Jelly is not your average sickly jelly infused with chemical raspberry flavour. Only four ingredients are to be found here: heaps of succulent raspberries, sugar, apples and the cherished habanero chilli pepper. All these components have cleverly been balanced to form a chilli jelly with a deep sweet taste and a gloriously red colour.

We have been known to empty a jar of Cambridge Chilli Farm Lime & Chilli Jelly in minutes it’s that good! Of a dazzling golden colour the gentle heat of this jelly comes from the fragrant habanero chilli pepper. We also love to spread some on fish or vegetables as it will slowly melt during cooking, therefore acting as a sort of quick marinade.

We thought we had seen it all but Cambridge Chilli Farm’s Nagalade floored us in seconds! Three ingredients are enough to make this chilli jelly: Bramley apples, sugar and three shredded Naga morich chilli peppers per jar. Of an alluring dark golden colour the flavour of this chilli jelly is amazing and an absolute treat to those partial to the famous naga chilli pepper.

The rich and hearty flavour of Cambridge Chilli Farm red Onion & Chilli Relish is just fantastic and we believe it is set to become the classic. The chunky caramelised red onions complement the flavour and heat from Ring of Fire chilli peppers to perfection. The medium Cambridge Chilli Farm Red Onion & Smoky Chipotle Relish cries out to be part of your everyday culinary routine! Put a spoonful in your gravy to go with your Sunday lunch or better still, slap some on a piece of bread before toasting under the grill with a good chunk of creamy goat’s cheese!!

If you are bored of the same old relish then just try Cambridge Chilli Farm Naga Napalm Onion Relish Chunky red onions are caramelised and mixed with red wine, vinegar and naga chilli peppers to form a hellish relish to savour and devour. Beware though, this is not for chilli beginners!

Whichever preserve you pick you can be sure you’re onto a winner. Let us know what you think but more importantly what delicious uses you found for them!

Cambridge Chilli Farm Hot Sauces

2010-10-22T06:28:00.000-07:00

As previously mentioned we were keen to get our hands on some of Cambridge Chilli Farm’s chilli goodies. Well here are some of his top hot sauces for you to discover:

Our favourite hot sauce from Cambridge Chilli Farm is probably Ghost Pepper “10”. It’s pretty darn hot for an all natural hot sauce! If you don’t like the peculiar taste of extract but are keen to get on another level of hotness than this is the sauce for you.

The Naga Napalm Hot Sauce is definitely worthy of its scorching name. The three Naga Morich peppers per bottle add a lot of heat and a distinctive citrus flavour to the sauce, which should be used either as a food additive to spice up dishes, or as a table sauce if you like things really hot!

We love Cambridge Chilli Farm Smoky Chipotle Hot Sauce because it has the distinct flavour of chipotles of course but also because it is reminiscent of a good barbecue sauce thanks to a clever blend of spices.

A great hot sauce to use as condiment is Cambridge Chilli Farm Sweet Chilli Sauce. Explore the delights of exotic cuisine with this finger-licking sauce that we use mixed in with mayonnaise (weird I know but ssooo tasty!), as a dip for fried food, a base to Chinese noodles and as a glaze on fish before steaming or grilling. The world truly is your oyster with this one!

The aspect of Cambridge Chilli Farm Pineapple & Habanero Hot Sauce is its first winning attribute. Shreds of Habanero and crushed black pepper adorn the golden nectar, leaving you guessing as to its flavour and heat. The balance between the pineapple and habanero chilli pepper is just right and the hint of cider vinegar prevents too much sweetness.

The Chilli Pepper Company

2010-10-16T07:05:00.000-07:00

We were keen to get as many products as we could from The Chilli Pepper Company, run by the lovely Gerald and his wife whom we met at the West Dean Chilli Fiesta this year, but unfortunately due to its popularity most products were sold out by the time we were able to get some stock from them.

Gerald told us that now most festivals were over for this year he could concentrate on making more of his delicious chilli produce and look at creating new ones like his Mexican Chilli Chocolate Almonds.

We were thankfully able to get our hands on the famous 10 minute burn hot sauce which has already been banned from three chilli shows since its creation, Naga Viper, a hell of a hot sauce full of flavour and HEAT as well as the rightly named “The Beast” which has a touch of mango to it and a whole lot of naga morish peppers!

Another treat for people with a sweet tooth: The Chilli Pepper Company Flaming Chocolate Fireballs. Each fireball is made up of quality milk chocolate, with a luxurious Bhut Jolokia infused creamy praline centre. Every bite is a delight although the heat definitely lets itself be known! These fireballs have become somewhat of a trademark for the Chilli Peppers Company’s confectionary so grab some while they last!

We cannot wait to bring you more fiery chilli treats from The Chilli Pepper Company so make sure to come and see what’s new at the Devil’s Garden soon!

Chilli Queen’s most loved chilli jellies back in stock!

2010-10-14T02:05:00.000-07:00

Since we introduced Chilli Queen’s produce at The Devil’s Garden people can’t seem to get enough of it! We soon ran out of stock of Chilli Queen’s Cranberry chilli jelly as well as Ginger & Lime chilli jelly but they are now only a click away from your cupboard... and your tastebuds!

Chilli Queen’s Cranberry Chilli Jelly is a great way to impress friends and family over Sunday lunch although trust us, you don’t need a special occasion to find yourself scraping the bottom of the jar! The sweet taste of cranberries is all there while the gentle chilli heat adds to the whole experience. The good thing with chilli jellies is that you don’t need to use loads at a time since the flavour is more concentrated than in a chutney or jam for example. The jar will therefore last you a while so for £2.95 you can really indulge your sweet tooth!

Chilli Queen’s Ginger & Lime chilli jelly is something else altogether. The zesty scent and amazing spiciness of the ginger combined with Chilli Queen’s Original Chilli Jelly will immediately transform dinner time into an explosion of exotic flavours. We love to add it to stuffing as well as slowly melting it into steaming hot rice or couscous and even use it as a glaze on fish. There is just no end to the uses of this Ginger & Lime Chilli Jelly although we are constantly trying to refute this argument by trying it with pretty much anything!

So help yourself to these delicious chilli jellies from the up and coming Chilli Queen brand while stock lasts and have a good chilli fix!

New Products from Dave's Gourmet.

2010-10-12T05:39:00.000-07:00

Feeling down because of the cold and the rain? Let Dave’s Gourmet’s range cheer you up with six new hot sauces and two mustards now available at the Devil’s Garden.

And to start off with a bang, just try Dave’s Gourmet Scotch Bonnet Hot Sauce. Blended in with just a hint of peach, this hot sauce is absolutely great to flavour Caribbean dishes. Another gorgeous fruity hot sauce from Dave’s Gourmet is their Ginger & Peach. Not your average combination but thanks to a healthy dose of red chillies you will soon see it as an absolute winner!

If you feel like having a taste of the tropics then try Dave’s Gourmet Crazy Caribbean hot sauce. Its base of carrots and Rican Red Habaneros keeps you guessing and is incredibly addictive. If, like us, you love habanero chilli peppers then you only need a few drops from Dave’s Gourmet Hurtin’ Habanero hot sauce to feel satisfied. With a good glug of chilli extract, this is a hot sauce that your tastebuds are most likely to remember!

One of our favourite products from this new batch is Dave’s Gourmet Roasted Red Pepper & Chipotle Hot Sauce. Fireroasted sweet red peppers are combined with the famous smoked jalapeno to create an incredible flavour while a hint of habanero brings in a subtle heat that lingers on the tongue.

Dave’s Gourmet mustards are definitely something else! Dave’s Insanity hot sauce is one of our bestsellers so just imagine the wonderful pungency and flavour of this popular hot sauce put into a quality mustard and you’ll have an idea of how tasty it is! Dave’s Gourmet Hurtin’ Habanero & Honey Mustard is also a wonderful condiment although you definitely have to be ready for some good heat from that one!

We should also mention a new chilli goody that we already use on a daily basis which is Dave’s Gourmet Soyabi sauce. You’ve guessed it, it’s a cross between soy sauce and wasabi! This sauce has become essential to our stir-fry, grilled salmon and Chinese noodles.

Enjoy!

Spice up your life!!!

2010-10-09T05:32:00.000-07:00

Let’s face it, when it comes to spices most of us go to the supermarket and stand there, compromising between the two or maybe three brands available knowing full well that these won’t really be of the best quality or value.

But fret not! You won’t have to settle for less now thanks to Blair’s Death Rain range of shakers which have recently been added to the Devil’s Garden website. Five different types of chilli mixes are available in an attractive flip-open top container, sold with a free skull keyring, one of Blair’s trademarks!

If you want to go towards the smoky side then add a bit of Blair’s Death Rain BBQ spice in your stew or rub some on chicken and immediately spot the difference! Blair’s Death Rain Chipotle shaker is also there to the rescue and really brings out the flavour of tomato based dishes.

Habanero lovers hang on to your seats with Blair’s Death Rain’s Habanero Shaker as it is the real deal! We love to use it on its own for a quick pick me up or mix it with yogurt or cream to form a marinade to die for! The Blair’s Death Rain Cajun shaker definitely holds its ground too and its smell will have you salivating in seconds!

Last but certainly not least, Blair’s Death Rain Nitro Shaker will leave you in a trance until you come down from chilli heaven to ask for more!

We hope you enjoy these phenomenal spices from Blair’s and let us know what quirky uses you have found for them!

Introducing... Cambridge Chilli Farm!

2010-10-06T09:22:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in previous blogs we met Tim, the man behind Cambridge Chilli Farm, at the Chilli Fiesta in West Dean this year. We had previously received some samples of his products and absolutely loved them although our cockiness soon disappeared when we tried on of his hottest sauce Ghost Pepper “10”!

We were therefore keen to get his range of chilli goodies, not only because of the actual quality, integrity and variety of his produce but also because of Tim himself. Not only is he a very nice down-to-earth guy but he is also absolutely mad about chillies! His knowledge of plants in general and chillies in particular puts us to shame and he is always here to help us out when we’re stumped with our own crop.

With more than 700 plants at his farm and many varieties of chillies, this is a brand to follow in the coming months. What we keep having to remind ourselves is that Tim only started Cambridge Chilli Farm in October 2008 and is already very much known by the general public and respected in the chilli world.

We can’t wait to share his fantastic hot sauces, jellies, relishes and many more treats with you soon so watch this space!

Local Deliveries of Spicy Goodness

2010-10-04T10:38:00.000-07:00

We might not have a stand at the open market on Saturdays in Lancaster anymore but we are still keen to provide the best customer service possible to our local clientele.

All our efforts at the Devil’s Garden converge towards bringing you the best chilli products available in the UK and US at the most reasonable price. We are therefore now delivering our range of produce in the Lancaster and Morecambe area, at no extra cost and twice a week so you can benefit from what the Devil’s Garden has got to offer without having to rely on a third party to deliver them (or having to pay for it!)

The current delivery days are Tuesdays after 5 pm and all day Saturday although we do our best to accommodate our customers if these days are not convenient. In order to benefit from this service, feel free to contact us at info@thedevilsgarden.co.uk. We will answer as promptly as possible and arrange your delivery of the Devil’s Garden’s chilli goodies!

Firefoods Hot Sauces

2010-09-30T00:36:00.000-07:00

Don’t be fooled by the aspect of Firefoods Hot Sauce bottles as what matters to Woody, the man behind the brand is taste over fashion. And what gorgeous treats he has managed to create!

The hot sauce that we use all the time is definitely Firefoods Chilli & Garlic hot sauce. The balance is just right between the fire and the garlicky taste that everybody loves but can get overpowering if not used right.

Firefoods Tropical Fire Chilli is something else altogether. A highly pleasurable mild to medium heat from habaneros combined with a subtle blend of pineapple juice, zest and juice of fresh limes and numerous Caribbean spices make it a real winner.

The medium-hot kick of Firefoods Fire BBQ Hot Sauce is just right and the smoky taste as well as the enticing smell are truly out of this world! For a taste of the Far East, have a go at Firefoods Sweet & Sticky Thai Chilli Sauce which has a distinct flavour tempered by a softening sweet after-taste that will make you weak in the knees!

Firefoods Reserve Hot Sauce (currently £2.95!!) is a bit mad with a hell of a lot of bhut jolokia shining through, complimented by black treacle, a hint of apricot and some mustard. For an even hotter version, try Firefoods Nitro Hot Sauce. Made with pure mixed fruit juice, the sweetness is what your tastebuds register first along with a hint of mustard... that is until the heat from fresh peppers and chilli extract kicks in and knocks you down for six. This is also currently on offer for £3.25 and since a little goes a long way, this is definitely good value for money.

We are very keen to see Firefoods become one of the best UK based chilli suppliers and knowing Woody and his wife, it won’t be long before they do hold this title.

Further Offers!

2010-09-27T00:31:00.000-07:00

Well the weather isn’t great but it’s always hot in The Devil’s Garden, especially when further offers are currently available such as Hot Headz award winning 999 Hot Sauce which you can get for only £3.75! Although filled with pepper extract, this sauce is extremely tasty thanks to a hint of soy sauce, a special blend of spices and a gorgeous tomato base.

Hot Headz Habanero High lives up to its name as it will truly take you to another world. The distinct taste of habanero is at its best in this phenomenal hot sauce. Firefoods ain’t too bad either with the sweet but fiery Reserve Hot Sauce only £2.95. Its counterpart Firefoods’ Nitro Hot Sauce is equally tasty but definitely more evil thanks to a good dose of extract.

For a gentler chilli treat try Firefoods’ Hellish Relish. This is a truly great onion relish with a hint of cinnamon and a good chilli kick, perfect on burgers or as a side to cold meats. And talking about burgers, try Mr Vikki’s Harry’s Sauce available at an amazing price of £1.95. This is a great brown sauce to use and abuse on bacon butties or bangers!

Mr Vikki’s Mango Chutney is the perfect accompaniment to your curry night and is absolutely gorgeous. Thick in texture, not overly sweet and with just enough chilli, this is to be enjoyed by the whole family! For an added “je ne sais quoi”, blend a spoonful of Mr Vikki’s Tamarind Chipotle chutney into a stew and taste the difference. You’ll want to add it to everything soon!

Last but certainly not least, we have a massive offer on the popular Cholula Hot Sauce. Whether you go for the Original version or the Mini one you can be sure to bag yourself a real bargain.

Firefoods Snacks and Preserves

2010-09-24T00:47:00.000-07:00

Firefoods is a family business from Grantham in Lincolnshire and is a brand that prides itself in selling homemade chilli produce of the highest quality using only the finest ingredients. With that in mind, try one of their preserves or snacks which despite their rather ordinary packaging are nothing but extraordinary inside!

What we like about Firefoods, here at the Devil’s Garden, is its innovativeness. One of the prime example is Firemite, a Chilli Marmite that will knock your socks off! In terms of taste it’s definitely the real deal just like Firefoods Chilli Peanut Butter.

A great way to have a curry night is to use Firefoods Chilli Mango Chutney. Made with Habanero chilli peppers, this mango chutney is not for the faint-hearted but the flavour is amazing. Firefoods Chilli Jam is altogether different and a bit unconventional as apples and cinnamon are used as well as a lot of chillies!

Firefoods Chilli Marmalade is also intense, not only in flavour but also in heat! This is the hottest chilli marmalade we have ever tasted so not something we would have at breakfast but incredible on toast for elevenses! What you could have for breakfast though is freshly baked scones or muffins using Firefoods Chocolate Drops. Made with the finest dark and white chocolate, these are an absolutely must have in your kitchen!

If you want to snack on something then try Firefoods Fire Nuts. A word of warning though, these are actually coated in chilli so make sure to wear gloves! Firefoods Fire Onions are just as mad and we have made more than one person cry with these!

One of the greatest Firefoods’ accomplishments in our mind is their Fire Horse Mustard. Woody has managed to combine mustard, chillies and horseradish in a very clever way, allowing your tastebuds to fully understand the flavour.

Chilli Chutneys are Very Versatile

2010-09-22T05:05:00.000-07:00

Chutneys are great, there is no denying it. A traditional accompaniment for a main dish or a snack, the delicate balance of vegetables, spices and in our case chillies is what makes a great chutney.

There are so many choices out there that it is sometimes difficult to know who to trust. One name that is always reliant though is Mr Vikki’s. Based in Cumbria this supplier is absolutely nuts about chillies and endeavours to create Indian based preserves with a European twist. Take the Hot Brinjal Piquin preserve (currently on offer for just £2!) which is in turn citrusy, smoky and nutty with a pungent heat that lifts the rich taste of fresh aubergines that make the base for this incredibly sweet and tasty sauce.

Dartmoor Chilli Farm is best known for its gorgeous chilli chocolate, jams and marmalades but the chutneys are well worth pointing out. A great way to start if you are a bit weary of chillies is Dartmoor Chilli Farm Mango and Ginger Chilli Chutney. Think poppadums, think mature cheddar cheese, think dipping sauce for chicken or gammon. This gorgeous mild sweet chutney is extremely versatile and one you will constantly be drawn back to.

Firefoods’ own version of a mango chutney is an absolute must have. Just thick enough, not too sweet but still highly satisfying for the tastebuds, with a real taste of mango and of course definitely spicy, this chutney is a winner with pretty much everybody! We also yet have to find someone who doesn’t like Firefoods Chunky Chilli Chutney.

Last but not least is Chilli Pepper Pete's Fiery Jamaican Chutney. Poles apart from the other brands and mostly known for its devilish hot sauces, this amazing Jamaican Chutney is made from an old recipe and is incredibly fruity and aromatic although we have to admit we think it’s nicer blended in with other stuff like meaty stews as it is quite potent. The heat is intense but highly satisfying too.

So there you go, have a pick at some of the lovely chutneys the Devil’s Garden has got to offer, whether you want something really spicy, a side for your cheese platter, a topping for your burger or simply a nice sweet chutney to liven up rainy days!

A New Category to Browse

2010-09-17T05:01:00.000-07:00

We have added a new category to our website. We were becoming increasingly uncomfortable with products such as brown sauce and ketchup as they are not really part of the “hot sauce” variety and definitely cannot be classed as a chilli jam, jelly or marmalade!

Mr Vikki’s Harry’s Sauce and Max’s Ketchup are on there (you just HAVE to have them with chips!!) as well as Chilli Queen’s own versions (the brown sauce is AWESOME with a bacon butty!). Firefoods BBQ Sauce is also a great sauce that is perfect all year round.

Mustards are on there of course like Firefoods Fire Mustard which has a distinctive taste of horseradish and Hot Headz Hot’ n’ Spicy which is definitely not your average mustard!!

We don’t really consider Mr Vikki’s Hot Coriander as a hot sauce so we thought we would put it as a condiment as it is just another great sauce to have on the dinner table. Same thing with Chilli Queen’s Cranberry Chilli Jelly and Hot Headz Chilli Piccalilli which will just liven up any cold meat.

Mr Vikki’s King Naga is only for experienced chilli lovers just as Chilli Pepper Pete’s Scotch Bonnets but they both are the perfect accompaniment to sandwiches and mild cheeses.

We thought we would also put Chilli Pepper Pete’s Peri Peri Oil as this will last you ages if you keep topping it up. Dartmoor’s Chilli Salad Dressing is definitely milder but has a wonderful fragrance to it. You won’t need any other form of dressing on your lettuce ever again!

A little bit strange to think of as a condiment but one we couldn’t set aside is Firefoods Firemite (chilli marmite!!!) and Chilli Peanut Butter because let’s face it, how good a chilli product is that?

Special Offers from The Devil's Garden

2010-09-15T00:43:00.000-07:00

There are loads of goodies currently on offer at the Devil’s Garden. For the not too insane out there try Mr Vikki’s Hot Brinjal Piquin Chilli Preserve, a great pickle with a Meditarrean twist that is in turn citrusy, smoky and nutty while a pungent heat lifts the rich taste of fresh aubergines that makes the base for this incredibly sweet and tasty sauce. At £2 this is a real bargain!

A great way to end the British “summer” is Dave’s Smokin BBQ Nuts. For only £3.95 you can now enjoy these wonderful smoky (and spicy!) peanuts that are seriously addictive! For another barbecu-ey taste, try Eaton’s Jamaican Jerk Barbecue Sauce. The jar is pretty big so for £3.00 you can really get a good taste of Eaton’s famous barbecue range and smother ribs, burgers, sausages and pretty much anything with it!

And talking of burgers, have a go at Firefoods’ Fire Jam. For those who haven’t tried Chilli Jam yet this is definitely a great way to start! The distinctive taste of cinnamon and of course chillies is soon followed by a heat that makes your whole mouth come alive! Hot Headz Jalapeno Pepper Sauce is also a revelation for those who like this widely known chilli pepper.

For the chef in you, why not try Hot Headz Whole Dried Habanero Chillies? At £1.95, these will last you ages. Chop them up finally sprinkle on cheese on toast or simply put whole into a stew and take out before serving (or eat them as is if you dare!). Hot Headz Dried Ground Habanero Chilli Powder is definitely the real deal for only £1.95, and will transform your dish whether you use a tiny little bit or a whole spoonful! If you like habaneros then also try Hot Headz Habanero Hit Sauce (£1.95!!), it will give you a real high!

Mr Vikki’s Fiery Lemon Harissa (only £2!) is a particular favourite of ours especially when part of a marinade, a burger mix or meatballs. The lemony flavour is really great in a tomato based sauce as well as Mr Vikki’s HHH (Hell Hot Habanero – also £2) which is definitely on the hot side but perfect for those with a strong constitution!

Please note that special offers are constantly updated depending on stock therefore are subject to change

The Devil's Garden - Bestsellers

2010-09-14T00:18:00.000-07:00

Since we started the Devil’s Garden we have been able to filter through all the famous brands and numerous chilli products so check out our page of bestsellers to get an idea of what works best for the public.

The list is long but here are a few pointers. Chilli Pepper Pete is one of the big players so one you should definitely trust when it comes to quality and more to the point: heat! Firefoods is another one with great chilli innovations such as Chilli Peanut Butter and Firemire (chilli marmite!!).

Dave’s and Blair’s are of course the true American chilli heroes and are known for their wide range of hot sauces. We recommend you start with Dave’s Insanity and Blair’s Original Death hot sauce! Blair’s chilli crisps are also phenomenal and you cannot go through life without trying one of the tasty flavours from habanero (bestseller!) to Parmesan & Habanero, Cheddar, Buffalo Wings and Chipotle. Dave’s Burning nuts are pretty amazing too thinking about it!

Dartmoor Chilli Farm is great for chilli beginners. Their range of chilli chocolates is just fabulous while their jams and marmalades are really getting recognised. A new brand at The Devil’s Garden but an already very popular one is Chilli Queen and their range of chilli jellies amongst which Sundried Tomato & Balsamic Vinegar chilli jelly or Coriander & Shallot. Their brown sauce with scotch bonnets is out of this world!

Endorphin Rush and Spontaneous Combustion are for nutters only as these hot sauces are just beyond hope for the common mortal but great if you need a chilli fix!

Mr Vikki’s is well known for his chilli preserves but Max’s Ketchup is definitely one to use and abuse, just as Mr Vikki’s North Indian curry paste which is incredibly versatile.

Not a chilli product as such but one we should mention is Greenhouse Sensation’s Windowgrow. In a world coming short of space hydroponics (check out the Quad Grow and Octo Grow) are starting to be known as the solution to keen veg and chilli growers bound by city walls. Pop this on your window sill and watch herbs and numerous varieties of colourful chillies grow without any care needed as hydroponics are self-watering.

There are so many tasty chilli treats to sample from the Devil’s Garden but these seem to be the most popular with our customers so we hope you will try something and let us know what you think!

New Products from Chilli Pepper Pete!

2010-09-10T07:16:00.000-07:00

The Chilli Pepper Pete brand was established a few years ago and is fast becoming a landmark in the chilli world. We absolutely love their range here at the Devil’s Garden and are very excited to bring you some of their famous products.

For the chef in you, try their amazing Thai Green Curry paste or Piri-Piri Oil. Their mole Chocolate Sauce is an authentic taste of Mexico as is their Roast Garlic & Green Jalapeno Sauce.

The Tasmanian Head Hunter, an award-winning mango & habanero hot sauce is truly great while their intriguing Liquid Fire hot sauce, made with 20 different varieties of chillies is out of this world!

We at last feel like we have discovered a Harissa we can have by the crate thanks to Chilli Pepper Pete and a lot of our customers already agree on this.

We couldn’t possibly increase our range of Chilli Pepper Pete products without getting their Dragon’s Blood hot sauce, Batch 13. The original version is already one of our bestsellers so we are quite keen to see how this one fares, it’s the same sweet taste but with a lot more heat to it!

One of our new personal favourite is Chilli Pepper Pete’s Dragon Slayer made with an incredible mix of cherries, blueberries and prunes as well as just enough extract to make it one of the great hot sauces out there.

So grab a bottle while you can and let us know what you think of all these new chilli treats!!

Dave's Gourmet - A Great Range of Chilli Products

2010-08-31T00:43:00.001-07:00

Winner of numerous awards, Dave’s Gourmet range is one that doesn’t need any introduction. More than 13 years in the making, this brand is one of the most popular when it comes to hot sauces and now produces items ranging from Organic Heirloom Pasta Sauces, Insane Drink Mixes and Insanity Popcorn to Olives in Pain (although these are unfortunately difficult to source in the UK but we’ll soon remedy that!)

Here at the Devil’s Garden we have a few of Dave’s hot sauces that are constantly in demand such as, of course, Dave’s Insanity Hot Sauce, the hot sauce that started it all. Originally banned from the market when hot sauces were still considered evil and only worthy of those with a death wish, this hot sauce is definitely sizzling but also incredibly flavoursome.

Other tasty hot sauces from Dave’s include Total Insanity which has a garlicky flavour and Ultimate Insanity which, made with extract, will have your blood sizzling in seconds as will Dave’s Ghost Pepper Sauce made with Bhut Jolokias.

Dave’s Hurtin Jalapeno is a wonderful tribute to this much loved chilli pepper while Dave’s Gourmet Adjustable Heat Hot Sauce will allow the whole family to regulate the heat in their plate!

Also, have a go at Dave’s Insanity Salsa for your next party or Dave’s Smokin and Burning Nuts. Smoking Nuts are perfect for a barbecue while Burning Nuts will surely liven up your day if you’re bored!

We’ll admit it ourselves, it is very hard to choose between all of Dave’s wonderful range of hot sauces but Dave’s Insanity Hot Sauce is definitely a good start! We cannot wait to get more produce from this world-renowned American brand.

Chilli Queen - Original Chilli Jellies

2010-08-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

Amongst all the great brands that we tried at the West Dean Chilli Fiesta last month, the multiple awards winning Chilli Queen is one that really surprised us by its originality and quality.

Starting out with a simple chilli jelly 25 years ago, Chilli Queen has now developed into a full range of tasty chilli sauces and dips. The brand’s image designed by the famous Scots illustrator Clare Mackie creates is extremely appealing and instantly gives out that quality homemade feel.

The Sweet Chilli Ketchup and Brown Sauce with Scotch Bonnets are best friends with burgers, sausages and bacon butties while the range of chilli jellies can be added to most recipes in our books and enhance an incredible variety of foods. The jars will also last you a while which makes it great value for money.

Chilli Queen’s fully range of Chilli Jellies are: Coriander & Shallot, Ginger & Lime, Sundried Tomatoes & Balsamic Vinegar, Cranberry, Mint, Original Chilli Jelly and Extra Hot Chilli Jelly.

Overall, Chilli Queen is a fantastic brand to have for everyday use. There is a little bit for everyone and with a mild-to-medium heat across the whole range, Chilli Queen is definitely a winner for most people wanting good quality condiments to be used by the whole family.

Mr Vikki's - Indian Fusion for Chilli Lovers

2010-08-24T00:20:00.000-07:00

Mr Vikki’s doesn’t need much introduction as he is fast becoming one of the most loved chilli producers in the north. Adam, the head behind the whole operation goes out of his way to make sure that people try his chilli treats where Indian spices blend in seamlessly with traditional tastes.

Some people are just addicted to one chutney like King Naga or HHH (i.e Hell Hot Habanero) while others often ask us for different products depending on the occasion or simply their taste for sweet or savoury.

We love recommending Mr Vikki’s Apricot or Mango Chutney as a dip and his range of savoury preserves such as Gooseberry, Tomato & Nigella, Chilli Jam and Banana Habanero and Fiery Lemon Harissa always go down a storm!

His curry pastes are just out of this world. We are obsessed with them and keep asking people to try it in their food. The combination of spices and various flavours is just right and it is always such a pleasure to make a good chicken curry with either the North Indian or Hot Goan one.

Mr Vikki’s Tomato Ketchup and Brown Sauce just have a nice heat at the back of the throat and believe us when we say that your bacon butties will never taste the same after you’ve tried them. Same thing with Hot Stuff, Mr Vikki’s only hot sauce although we’re sure this is about to change!

So keep an eye out for new quality preserves from Mr Vikki’s and check out his already incredibly successful range!