cultured chili sauces

Natural fermentation is the most ancient form of preserving food. 

The process utilizes bacterial cultures naturally present on the veggies to break down sugars, transforming them into lactic acid. 

This is similar to the method used to make wine, sauerkraut, kimchi and many other traditional fermented foods. 

Fermentation preserves food naturally, makes it more digestible, and releases nutrients and unique flavors for us to enjoy. 

No, they're freaking delicious!! And so good for you too! 

It’s like California-style Kimchi! ... Without the cabbage. 

All our sauces are handcrafted in small batches by the founding brothers, Sasha and Niccolo, in San Diego, California. 

Yes! Just veggies, spices, salt, and water!

Of Course! We only use chilies, sweet peppers, garlic spices, sea salt, and water. 

The delicious tanginess comes from the acids released through the natural fermentation process. 

Our SPICY OG and CHIPOTLE have a medium heat level, scoring around 2500-3000 SHU. 

With each bite, you’ll feel a mouthwatering burn backed by lots of flavor and a delicious rich fermented tanginess. 

Our HABANERO is our hottest sauce, crafted for those brave palates, it punches about 5000-7000 SHU! 

Our MILD RED and MILD Green are packed with umami flavor and have no heat at all! 

Your palate will be amazed.

Yes and no!

Our recipes never change, but fermentation is wild! 

AF Chili Sauces are naturally fermented in small batches; each batch might differ slightly in flavor due to the behavior of the live cultures during the fermentation. 

Probiotics in fermented/cultured foods are living strains of beneficial bacteria with proven health benefits, including reduced overall inflammation, improvement of digestive disorders, improved immunity, and better nutrient absorption. 

While prebiotics are not living cultures, they promote the increase of friendly bacteria in our gut. 

They have protective effects on the gastrointestinal system and other parts of the body, such as the central nervous system, the immune system, and the cardiovascular system.

Our raw “Live Probiotics” cultured chili sauces in 8oz size contain living strains of lactobacillus for up to one year if kept refrigerated. 

We are working on getting those shipped to you Alive!

In the meantime, these can be found at our local Grocery stores. 

Our shelf-stable “Naturally Fermented” cultured chili sauces in 6oz bottles are pasteurized for shelf stability. 

These no longer have living cultures, but are still deliciously rich in prebiotics and beneficial compounds released during fermentation.

Since we do not use any preservatives in our formulas, please make sure to refrigerate after opening to preserve their native flavor. 

All orders are shipped out from our San Diego facility. Your order will be fulfilled and shipped within 1-2 business days. 

Once your order is shipped, it usually takes 3-5 business days for it to be delivered, depending on your region. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us via the onsite chat if your order is delayed or if you have any other shipping-related concerns. We’re here to help!

Our Shelf-Stable products have a 2-year shelf life from the time of packaging. Once opened, we recommend keeping AF Cultured Chili Sauce in the fridge and consuming the product within 3-4 months. 

Our raw sauces have a 1-year shelf life from the time of packaging. We know the cultures will survive till then if kept refrigerated. 

After 1 year, the populations tend to decline, but the sauce should still be safe to enjoy! Once opened, they should still last 3-4 months in the fridge. Please close the lid tightly to avoid oxidation that could create off-flavors. 

As soon as your order is shipped, tracking will be emailed to the email address you have provided. You can track your package from the link provided in this email.