Marie Sharp’s Pepper Sauce – The Fruity, Fiery Flavor of Belize Featured on Thrillist

July 21, 2023
by roshesgodfrey@gmail.com +

Marie Sharp, the undisputed “Queen of Habanero” and the mastermind behind Belize’s sought-after habanero hot sauce, has taken center stage as her legendary condiment gets featured on Thrillist, a renowned travel and culinary website. The exclusive article delves into the captivating journey of this culinary matriarch, from accidental creation to becoming the pride of Belize and an international sensation.

For the uninitiated, Belize might be synonymous with lush rainforests and idyllic coastal vistas. But for food enthusiasts, it’s a country renowned for its delectably spicy cuisine. In the local Kriol language, the habanero pepper, registering a sizzling 100,000 to 350,000 on the Scoville scale, is described as “Ih bun, but ih nice” – a fitting phrase capturing its burning sensation and irresistible taste. And at the heart of Belize’s fiery culinary culture is none other than Marie Sharp’s Pepper Sauce.

Thrillist’s captivating feature by Jessica Sulima takes readers on an immersive journey through the mesmerizing world of Marie Sharp and her iconic habanero-infused creations. From restaurant tables across the nation to grocery store shelves, the fiery sauce has become an integral part of Belizean identity. But the legacy of this legendary sauce stretches far beyond borders, as tourists from across the globe seek to bring home a taste of Belize in their luggage.

Marie Sharp’s Pepper Sauce is an embodiment of Belizean agriculture’s allure, representing the country’s fertile land with its unique carrot-based blend. The secret behind the unparalleled taste lies in Belize’s tropical farms, boasting a wide array of aromatic crops, from exotic craboo to luscious cacao. However, it is the clusters of ruby-red and tangerine-orange Belizean habanero peppers that set Marie Sharp’s creation apart, and she attributes this superiority to the country’s distinct soil and planting season during the dry months, yielding a concentrated heat.

While the original Habanero Pepper Sauce remains the flagship product, Marie Sharp astounds with an extensive range of sauces, varying in heat levels from “Mild” to “Beware.” Additionally, her flavorful lineup includes Caribbean barbecue sauces, achiote pastes, green mango chutneys, and cactus moringa salsas, each meticulously crafted to reflect the diverse cultural melting pot of Belize.

Belizean chef Sean Kuylen, an ardent Marie Sharp fan, attests to the sauce’s versatility, utilizing it in his own culinary creations, which surpass even famous Mexican and Colorado-born recipes. Marie Sharp’s Habanero Sauce adds a unique twist to traditional Belizean dishes, such as rice and beans, hudut, tacari, panades, cowfoot soup, escabeche, relleno negro, and boil up, enhancing flavors and igniting taste buds with every delectable bite.

But what began as a surplus of habanero peppers turned into a serendipitous culinary legacy. Marie Sharp’s husband, Gerry Sharp, owned Melinda Estate, where they experimented with growing habanero peppers to assist a doctor’s request. Unknowingly planting an abundance of peppers, Marie found herself with an excess that would ultimately inspire her to create the iconic sauce. Blending peppers with bananas, papayas, and cabbage, she discovered the carrot-based variety as the standout winner, which sparked her journey to becoming the “Queen of Habanero.”

Despite initial skepticism from Belizeans, who often favored imported products, Marie Sharp persevered, growing her business slowly and exporting her creations to the United States. Today, her hot sauce has found its way to more than 36 countries, captivating taste buds across the world.

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Thrillist’s feature illuminates Marie Sharp’s dedication to sourcing fresh ingredients within a 25-mile radius, promoting Belizean farmers’ welfare, and providing employment opportunities. With a predominantly female workforce, Marie proudly empowers women within her company, giving them opportunities they once lacked in the citrus industry.

Marie Sharp’s hot sauce empire garnered further recognition when she was inducted into the New York City Hot Sauce Hall of Fame in 2016, cementing her status as a true culinary pioneer. Tourists from all corners of the globe flock to Belize, eager to experience the magic firsthand by touring the original factory in Stann Creek, where the entire process unfolds – from processing to filling, and finally, the tantalizing taste tests.

With her fiery sauces captivating the likes of Hillary Clinton and featuring on popular shows like First We Feast’s Hot Ones, Marie Sharp’s dream of putting Belize’s flavors on the world map has been realized. Thrillist’s spotlight on her extraordinary journey has further amplified the allure of Marie Sharp’s Pepper Sauce, reaffirming her legacy as the unrivaled “Queen of Habanero” and the culinary guardian of Belize’s vibrant spice-infused heritage.