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Published on Leave a comment on Super Lucky Elephant Chili Crisp – Lemongrass

This Super Lucky Elephant Chili Crisp - Lemongrass came from Amazon. We tried the shallots version, and were reasonably impressed. The notion of a lemongrass-forward crunchy oil sounded interesting.

Super Lucky Elephant Chili Crisp - Lemongrass jar
Super Lucky Elephant Chili Crisp - Lemongrass label
Main Flavor Elements
  • Garlic
  • Shallot
  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Lemongrass
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Rice bran
  • Solids to oil ratio: Moderately high (~60%)
  • Flavor Enhancer: N/S
  • Potential allergens: N/S
  • Storage: Refrigerate after opening
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Low
  • Texture: Crispy shallots
  • Saltiness: Moderately high (480mg. per 30gm.)

As we noted above, we were intrigued by the lemongrass focus. The addition of it, ginger or other fragrant aromatics can do much to elevate an otherwise pedestrian chili oil condiment.

Our expectation was that this version would be substantially similar to the shallots version. Digging down with a spoon, the solids-to-oil ratio is again about 60/40. Even though dried chili pepper is first on the ingredient list, the solids appear to be mostly garlic and fried shallot, in non-uniform pieces. They are crisp and crunchy as expected, and don't possess any of the bitterness often associated with over-frying.

The contribution of chili flavor is again minimal. Any heat it provides lurks just under the surface of the other flavors. There are visible flakes of dried chili, and the ingredients here again include a small amount of bird's eye chili.

The flavor profile is largely garlic and fried shallot, then salt, then sugar. The lemongrass is not as well-represented as we would have hoped, showing up more as a subtle aftertaste. Perhaps it will bloom when actually applied to food.

The rice bran oil base is neutral and clean as anticipated, not interfering of the spare ingredient list. No flavor enhancers present nor do any seem necessary.

We're sticking by our assessment that the lesser amount of dried chili flakes makes it more a crunchy oil. While the fried allium/salt/sugar combination is again well-balanced, we were hoping for more from the promised lemongrass.

A Caveat About Rice Bran Oil

As directed, we refrigerated this one and its shallots counterpart after opening the jars for sampling. When we went back for a re-visit of each, the oil had congealed into an orange, sort-of pudding consistency gel. We therefore recommend letting this and other rice bran oil-based chili condiments come back to room temperature before consuming.

Ingredients

Rice bran oil, dried red chili, fried garlic, lemongrass, salt, sugar, fried shallot, bird's eye chili.

More Information

Brand: Otis McAllister, Inc. / Super Lucky Elephant
Style: Crunchy oil
Price paid: $9.99 / 6.7oz.
Country of Origin: Thailand
Manufacturer website:
Social media:

Published on Leave a comment on Super Lucky Elephant Chili Crisp – Shallots

This Super Lucky Elephant Chili Crisp - Shallots came from Amazon. The ingredients sounded good, the price was right, and we couldn't resist the name.

Super Lucky Elephant Chili Crisp - Shallots jar
Super Lucky Elephant Chili Crisp - Shallots label
Main Flavor Elements
  • Shallot
  • Salt
  • Sugar
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Rice bran
  • Solids to oil ratio: Moderately high (~60%)
  • Flavor Enhancer: N/S
  • Potential allergens: N/S
  • Storage: Refrigerate after opening
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Low
  • Texture: Crispy shallots
  • Saltiness: Moderately high (480mg. per 30gm.)
Why Elephant?

As we noted above, we were intrigued by the brand name. Either it was a bad translation or there was a back story, we weren't sure which. We learned from the website that the company has a particular interest in the conservation of the dwindling Asian elephant population, a noble cause worth recognizing and supporting.

We also learned the primary business is rice, which likely explains the use of rice bran oil.

Stirring things up to get started, the solids-to-oil ratio is about 60/40. The solids are mostly fried shallot, in non-uniform pieces. On the palate, they are nicely crisp and crunchy, and we didn't detect any notes of the bitterness often associated with over-frying.

The contribution of chili is minimal, heat-wise. The flakes of dried chili are visible, and the ingredients even include a small amount of bird's eye chili, but the flavor profile skews largely fried shallot, then salt, then sugar. The salt works to perk up the shallot, and the sugar tones and rounds things out.

The rice bran oil base is neutral and clean, and its lightness means it doesn't get in the way of the otherwise spare ingredient list. No flavor enhancers here by design, and none seem necessary.

The label says chili crisp, but we don't find a sufficient contribution from the dried chili flakes to call it more than a crunchy oil. Regardless, it still works. The fried allium/salt/sugar combination is well-balanced, and we appreciated the minimalist approach to the recipe.

Ingredients

Rice bran oil, dried red chili, fried shallot, salt, sugar, bird's eye chili.

More Information

Brand: Otis McAllister, Inc. / Super Lucky Elephant
Style: Crunchy oil
Price paid: $9.99 / 6.7oz.
Country of Origin: Thailand
Manufacturer website:
Social media:

Published on Leave a comment on Verve Culture Thai Chili Crisp

This Verve Culture Thai Chili Crisp came from our local World Market. We found it while there looking for something else, and based upon past visits, assume it's a newer item. We had not seen it before. At $9.99, it was within our budget for trying an unknown.

Verve Culture Thai Chili Crisp jar
Verve Culture Thai Chili Crisp label
Main Flavor Elements
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Sesame
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Rice bran, sesame
  • Solids to oil ratio: Moderately high
  • Flavor Enhancer: N/S
  • Potential allergens: Sesame, soy
  • Storage: Keep in cool, dry place, refrigerate after opening
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Low
  • Texture: Crunchy onion and garlic
  • Saltiness: Low (105mg. per 10gm.)

After perusing the label, we were slightly bemused when we removed the plastic film seal. It was black plastic rather than clear, and it obscured the long arrows marked on the edge of the lid, between the words "OPEN", and pointing in a counter-clockwise direction. Following them, we were able to successfully open the jar without incident.

The aroma is subtle, just a hint of allium, primarily garlic. The solids, in the form of fried onion and garlic, are pleasantly crunchy, irregular in shape, and generally a bit larger than in others of this type. The solids-to-oil ratio could stand to be a little higher, as-is it's a bit soupy, so stir well each and every serving.

We found the level of toastiness of the solids just right, not overdone, and avoiding the bitter aftertaste sometimes associated with over-frying. There is a minimal amount of sesame seeds, mostly floating on top of the oil. We're guessing the addition of sesame oil is there to boost the sesame flavor the small amount of seeds cannot provide alone.

We're also becoming a big fan of rice bran oil as a base. Its clean and neutral flavor and its general lightness in body we find appealing.

Not much heat to speak of here. Kind of surprising for a product hailing from Thailand. The chili is actually last on the list, apparently only an infusion of the oil, as there are no chili flakes visible. The label assigns itself a heat rating of 2 out of 3 flames, but we'd call it more like a 0.5 out of 3.

Overall, we liked this one. It lacks the downsides associated with over-fried alliums, and contains no artificial flavor enhancers. If you like crunchy onion and garlic fried just right, this one may be the ticket.

This is another that calls itself a chili crisp, but without material chili representation. We're placing it on our crunchy oil shelf.

Ingredients

Onion, rice bran oil, sesame oil, garlic, soy sauce, salt, sesame seeds, chili.

More Information

Brand: Verve Culture
Style: Crunchy oil
Price paid: $9.99 / 5.8oz.
Country of Origin: Thailand
Manufacturer website:
Social media:

Published on Leave a comment on Chingonas Salsa Macha

This Chingonas Salsa Macha came from a local gourmet catering/retail operation we'd seen online. The ingredients sounded intriguing, including some spices we're not used to seeing in a salsa macha. Despite the hefty $12.99 price, we decided to see what it was about.

Chingonas Salsa Macha jar
Main Flavor Elements
  • Chili
  • Peanut and sesame
  • Onion and garlic
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Rice bran
  • Solids to oil ratio: High
  • Flavor Enhancer: Mushroom powder
  • Potential allergens: Peanut, sesame
  • Storage: Refrigerate after opening
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Moderate
  • Texture: Crunchy in the best way
  • Saltiness: High (1gm. per 13gm.)

The solids to oil ratio is a bit higher than the stock photo found online would seem to indicate. Upon close inspection, the oil content is much further down the list than any we've seen. But that's OK with us. The crunchier, the better.

What initially caught our eye was cumin, ginger and black pepper, and all being high on the list and ahead of even the sesame and peanut. Onion and garlic bring up the rear.

Salsa machas typically don't contain MSG or similar flavor enhancers, relying more on the combination of chiles, nuts, seeds, onion and garlic to provide plenty of flavor on their own. That's why we found mushroom powder, more often seen in new wave chili crisps, to be an unusual addition.

Digging in, the solids predominate, and we could tell from the sound of the spoon struggling to dive deep to stir things up it was going to be the crunch we were looking for. It didn't require much mixing, though, what with the oil content being so low. Any lower and it would be a salsa seca.

The first taste was a revelation. The chile heat is forward but not overpowering, and it lingers on the finish. The flavor of the crushed peanut, sesame seeds, alliums and seasonings are all in wonderful balance. And so is the texture, with all the solids sized close together, letting every spoonful consistently represent all aspects of the recipe while delivering a satisfying crunch. A big thumbs-up to both.

If we had any quibble, it's the salt. We disbelieved the label claim of 1gm. per 13gm. serving. That's quite high, with 300-400mg. per serving more the norm. Initially, we didn't perceive it as all that salty, but, when giving it a second assessment, agreed the label might be correct. In any case, condiments aren't made to be consumed directly (although we are guilty of it from time to time), so its typical addition to food should not make it a problem.

While we initially thought the $12.99 was a little spendy, we see it to be in line with the average price across online vendors. After tasting it, we'd say it's worth it.

Ingredients

Dried chilis, cumin, mushroom powder, ginger, black pepper, kosher salt, sugar, peanuts, sesame seeds, rice bran oil, shallots, garlic.

More Information

Brand: Red Table Management / Chingonas
Style: Salsa macha
Price paid: $12.99 / 6oz.
Country of Origin: USA
Manufacturer website:
Social media:

Published on Leave a comment on Pono Hawaiian Island Chili Crunch – Spicy

This Pono Hawaiian Island Chili Crunch - Spicy came from Amazon. We hadn't before encountered a product in our search that potentially promised a Hawaiian take on chili crisp. Let's take a look.

Pono Hawaiian Island Chili Crunch - Spicy jar
Main Flavor Elements
  • Sesame
  • Shallot
  • Garlic
  • Chili
  • Sugar
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Rice bran
  • Solids to oil ratio: Medium
  • Flavor Enhancer: Natural
  • Potential allergens: Sesame, wheat flour
  • Storage: Store in a cool dry place
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Moderate
  • Texture: Crispy crunchy
  • Saltiness: Low (105mg. per 15gm.)

Shallots and sesame take the lead here. The rice bran oil base makes for an interesting foundation. The solids-to-oil ratio isn't high enough to keep the sesame seeds in the mix, so they do float to the top, requiring a concerted stirring to distribute them evenly. The shallot pieces are large and provide the majority of a satisfying crunch. The chili lays back, even in this "spicy" version, and balances well with the rest of the flavors. There's just enough sugar to be noticed without muting the chili.

Pono Hawaiian calls this a chili crunch, which we've come to assume means somewhere in the realm of chili crisp and salsa macha, but technically neither. For categorization purposes, we'll put this one in with others we consider "new wave". We're not sure if it really evokes an island sensibility, but we liked it nonetheless.

As we've found with a number of infused chili oil products, online information often contradicts labeling when it comes to ingredients. Even more annoying is when manufacturers' own websites fail to adequately disclose specifically what's in their product. In this case, the vendor (Amazon) website claims this product contains sesame oil, Himalayan sea salt and yeast extract. The ingredient list below, taken directly from the label, does not. The label also warns against wheat flour as an allergen, but none is obviously apparent in the listing. Perhaps the product is made in a facility that also processes wheat.

Extra points for no MSG, no preservatives, gluten free and vegan/vegetarian friendly.

Ingredients

Rice bran oil, shallots, garlic, chili powder, sea salt, white sesame, coconut flower sugar, shiitake mushroom powder

More Information

Brand: Pono Hawaiian Foods
Style: New Wave
Price paid: $8.99 / 6oz.
Country of Origin: USA
Manufacturer website: https://ponohawaiianfoods.com/products/island-chili-crunch-6oz
Social media: