12 Interesting Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Cholula

By Alessandra Foresto

Updated on 7/17/2016 at 10:00 PM

There are lots of hot sauces out there, but none with a fan base like Cholula's. True lovers of the hot flavor of the bright red sauce go through bottles and bottles every year without even thinking about it, sprinkling it on everything from eggs to rice to (if they're hardcore) salads. They might even carry their own to-go packets, just in case the restaurant they're hitting up for dinner features another salsa picañte not up to their standards. So, can you consider yourself a real fan? Read ahead for 13 little-known facts about Cholula. If you're done and thinking, "duh, of course," we bow down to you, Cholula master.

  1. The hot sauce was named after the city of Cholula in Mexico, the oldest inhabited city in North America.
  2. It's not actually made there, but instead prepared in Chapala in Jalisco.
  3. Cholula's slogan is "el sabor perfecto." Sounds about right.
  4. The wood cap in every Cholula bottle is made of beech wood. When the hot sauce was first created, the cap was chosen specifically to differentiate it from all others in the market and to represent "the craftmanship behind the product."
  5. There are 5 flavors: Original, Green Pepper, Chipotle, Chili Lime, and Chili Garlic.
  6. The brand claims that Cholula scores 1,000 Scoville units, which would make it a medium-spice condiment.
  7. Have you noticed the long number code on each bottle? Cholula's website has an explanation: "The first two digits are the year, the next three are the day, and the next four is the time."
  8. The peppers included in the original Cholula flavor are arbol and piquin. Other flavors include peppers like jalapeño, poblano, guajillo, and chipotle.
  9. Cholula does not need to be refrigerated — you can stop debating friends and family now.
  10. Surprise: Cholula is owned by tequila conglomerate Grupo Cuervo — yes, the makers of José.
  11. Cholula's Instagram hashtag, #CholulaHotSauce, is beyond beautiful.
  12. Chrissy Teigen might be its biggest fan. Its second biggest fan? Probably Cameron Diaz.