Tapatío: the hot sauce of a Mexican immigrant laid off at 40 — whose recipe was never written down for 55 years!

In 1971 in Maywood, California, José-Luis Saavedra was 40 years old, had just lost his aerospace job and barely spoke English. He rented a 750-square-foot warehouse, bottled his homemade hot sauce by hand and sold it on consignment. The brand was originally called "Cuervo" — his wife's maiden name — before a lawsuit from José Cuervo Tequila forced a name change in 1975. New name: Tapatío — the word for a person from Jalisco, Mexico. The elegant charro on the bottle was born. My American Market imports it straight for you!

The recipe never written down for 55 years

For 55 years, the Saavedra family refused to write down Tapatío's recipe. It was passed orally, in closed rooms, between the family members who knew it. The recipe was only put on paper very recently, when the brand was sold to investment firm Highlander Partners. 55 years of oral secrecy in a world where everything is patented and legally protected.

Tapatío Hot Sauce — what makes it unique

Tapatío sits in its own category in the American hot sauce universe. Less acidic than Tabasco. Less vinegary than Louisiana Hot Sauce or Crystal. Gentler in heat (3,000 Scoville) but more complex in flavour. Notes of garlic, tomato, red chilli and Mexican spices that give something truly Mexican-Californian. The hot sauce of chicano culture and the taquerias of Los Angeles, San Diego, Maywood. Americans who grew up with Tapatío have a near-emotional relationship with it. Today, the Vernon factory produces in an hour what once took a year to sell — proof of well-earned cult status.

Where to buy Tapatío in Europe?

Tapatío is impossible to find in European supermarkets. My American Market, your American pop food specialist, imports it straight from California. Express delivery across Europe!

Into authentic American hot sauces? Also check out Tabasco, Crystal Hot Sauce and Louisiana Hot Sauce in our shop!

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