Pique sauce

Pique is a cherished Puerto Rican hot sauce, a staple found at restaurants and roadside stands throughout the island. The sauce is typically crafted by steeping hot peppers in vinegar, combined with various seasonings and fresh herbs. One popular rendition fuses habanero peppers with pineapple and recao leaves. The longer it ages, the spicier it becomes! The types of hot peppers used in pique can vary, with the intensely hot ají caballero being the most potent.

Another variation, known as Pique Criollo or Puerto Rican Tabasco, is a hot condiment indispensable to Puerto Rican cuisine. This version features a blend of ingredients such as Cubanelle peppers, caballero hot peppers, habanero peppers, pineapple, vinegar, oregano, peppercorns, garlic, and onions. Optional ingredients include citrus fruits, cilantro, culantro, sugar, coriander seeds, cumin, rum, or even chocolate. While pineapple is the traditional fruit used, you can experiment with other fruits like papaya, avocado, sour orange, sweet plantain, tamarind, mango, passion fruit, or guava.

Whether you prefer it mild or searingly hot, pique adds a flavorful kick to any dish!