Pique sauce facts for kids
Pique is a super popular hot sauce from Puerto Rico. You can often find it in restaurants and at small stands by the road. People also love to make it at home!
To make homemade Pique, you soak hot peppers in vinegar. Then you add different spices and fresh herbs. One tasty kind uses habanero peppers with pineapple and fresh recao leaves. The longer the sauce sits, the spicier it gets!
There are many kinds of hot peppers (called ajíes picantes) on the island. They all have different levels of heat. The spiciest one of all is the ají caballero pepper!
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What is Pique Criollo?
Pique criollo is another name for this special hot sauce. People also call it Pique boricua de botella or even "Puerto Rican Tabasco". It's a spicy condiment that adds a kick to many Puerto Rican dishes.
Ingredients for Pique Criollo
Pique criollo is made with a mix of tasty ingredients:
- Cubanelle peppers
- Caballero hot peppers or habanero peppers
- Pineapple (you can use the skin, core, juice, or small pieces!)
- Vinegar
- Oregano
- Peppercorns
- Garlic
- Onions
Extra Flavors You Can Add
Sometimes, people add other ingredients to make their Pique even more unique:
- Citrus fruits
- Cilantro
- Culantro
- Sugar
- Coriander seeds
- Cumin
- Rum
- Even chocolate!
Fruit Variations
While pineapple is the most traditional fruit for Pique, you can try other fruits too! Some people use:
- Papaya
- Avocado
- Sour orange
- Sweet plantain
- Tamarind
- Mango
- Passion fruit
- Guava
These different fruits give the sauce a unique and delicious flavor.
