The Heat
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What is Kanzuri?
Kanzuri is a fermented chili paste rich in umami, made with red chilis, yuzu, rice koji, and sea salt. The original Kanzuri blend is aged for at least 3 years, while Premium Kanzuri is aged for at least 6 years.
It is hand-crafted by a family-owned small-batch producer in Niigata, Japan’s heavy snow region, using a unique method called Yukisarashi, which involves spreading locally grown red chills over snow fields at the base of Mt. Myoko and allowing them to develop their natural umami over 3 to 4 days, forming the foundation of Kanzuri’s distinctly delicious flavor.
LIMITED SUPPLY
Crafted from a limited supply of locally grown original Myoko Chili Peppers, Red & Green Habanero and Carolina Reapers in Niigata Japan. The peppers are planted each year in early spring with seeds from the previous year’s harvest, then carefully nurtured and harvested in the late summer, limiting the quantity of hot sauce that can be produced each year.
MADE IN JAPAN
In an extraordinary and exclusive technique performed only by a small-batch producer in Japan, known as Yukisarshi, handpicked sea salt-pickled chili peppers are spread over the pristine snow-covered terrain at the foot of the majestic Mt. Myoko during the coldest days of winter. Left undisturbed for a period of 3 to 4 days, these peppers undergo a remarkable transformation, developing their innate umami flavors in perfect harmony with nature. Subsequently, these exquisite treasures are meticulously collected by hand, even amidst snow depths reaching up to 1 meter, ultimately becoming the foundational ingredient of the culinary masterpiece known as Kanzuri.
HANDCRAFTED
Premium Kanzuri, local Chilis and Shoyu are hand blended by a select group of highly skilled artisans in a charming, family-owned factory nestled in Niigata, Japan. This artisanal approach means that only a limited batch of approximately 1200 bottles can be produced at a time but it guarantees the utmost attention to detail and an unrivaled taste experience.
WITH LOVE
Paolo fromTOKYO’s Premium Kaminari Hot Sauce is an extraordinary labor of love that unfolds over an extensive period of more than 6 years, resulting in its unmatched umami-rich and fiery flavor. This distinctive blend emerges from Paolo’s deep passion for hot sauce and his boundless imagination, making it truly one-of-a-kind. To ensure impeccable quality, each bottle undergoes a meticulous manual inspection and is thoughtfully boxed by hand before it embarks on its journey to his customers.
FAQ
How spicy is the hot sauce ?
The Original Paolo fromTOKYO Premium Kaminari Hot Sauce is rated at 58,100 SHU (Scoville Heat Units). It's the spiciest hot sauce ever crafted with Kanzuri chili paste & Carolina Reaper. Try one drop first and see how it goes. Please use responsibly.
The Umamai Ocean Hot Sauce is rated at 5,010 SHU (Scoville Heat Units). Please also use responsibly.
What foods do you recommend with the hot sauce?
Paolo fromTOKYO Premium Kaminari Hot Sauce can be added to anything you want. It has a shoyu (Japanese soy sauce) base blended with Kanzuri and Chili Peppers. Foods that generally pair well with shoyu and need a little spicy kick are great options.
Paolo loves to add it to his eggs, wagyu steak, chicken, hamburgers, oysters, natto, pizza, pasta, soups, cup ramen, etc. He even mixes the hot sauce with ketchup and mayonnaise. The possibilities are endless.
Why is this hot sauce considered Premium?
The original Kanzuri blend is aged for at least 3 years, while the Premium Kanzuri is aged for at least 6 years, resulting in an even more distinct and impactful umami-rich taste. The Original Paolo fromTokyo Premium Kaminari Hot Sauce is crafted with Premium Kanzuri and is the spicest hot sauce ever blended with it.
The Umami Ocean Paolo fromTokyo Premium Kaminari Hot Sauce is also crafted with Premium Kanzuri and is blended with milder Habanero Chilis to create a deeper umami taste with a lighter spicy kick.
Does the hot sauce expire?
The handcrafted hot sauce has a "Best Before" date written on the box and bottle. We’ll do our best to send you the freshest bottle possible. If for any reason the “Best Before” date is less than 45 days from when you receive it, rest assured that we are committed to promptly providing you with a replacement, guaranteeing your satisfaction and ensuring that you can enjoy our product, or refund in case we our out of stock.
The "Best Before" date indicates when the product will be of best flavor and quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
Can I buy the hot sauce in Japan?
Yes, but at this time, supplies and shops are extremely limited. Please check the "Find Shop" section to see where it is being sold.
Find Shops
Seiryū-en (Shimokitazawa)
2-25-20 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Available: Original & Umami Ocean (Cash Only)
About Paolo fromTOKYO
Paolo de Guzman is a Tokyo-based finance industry Project Manager and software development company owner turned videographer and producer of the global YouTube sensation Paolo fromTOKYO. He’s a Filipino American, California/Washington native, who moved to Tokyo 20+ years ago and fell in love with the city. With an unwavering optimism that occasionally tests the patience of his wife Maiko, Paolo exudes a vibrant energy. His favorite colors are light blue and pink. He’s into Tokyo, Tech, and DIYs. He tries to make every day count, so his Youtube channel focuses on the stuff he loves. And ever since he was a kid, he’s loved hot sauce!