Hot Sauce, Human History, & Some Big Existential Questions

Hot Sauce, Human History, & Some Big Existential Questions

Author: BLISTER July 22, 2026 Duration: 1:08:06
Hot sauce — many of us love it, but few of us know how & why it came to be; how it works; how it could kill you and how it might save you; and why exploring these topics actually leads into some big questions about the evolution of humankind itself. Jonathan Ellsworth & Eli Brown discuss. We Want to Hear from You! Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us at: info@blisterreview.com to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED. EPISODE SPONSORS: Momentous: livemomentous.com code: Blister OneSkin: oneskin.co/BLISTER RELATED LINKS:  Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways TOPICS & TIMES: Introduction to Hot Sauce (1:35) Jonathan’s Hot Sauce Journey (4:12) What Counts as Hot Sauce? (7:55) The Data: Global Hot Sauce Consumption (21:25) The History of Tabasco & Cholula (27:00) The History of Chiles (39:09) How Does Hot Sauce Work? (50:37) The Future of Hot Sauce (1:00:50) Craft Hot Sauce Brands (1:03:06) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Podcast Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 CRAFTED Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when someone has dedicated their life to making something tangible, driven by obsession over details most of us overlook. CRAFTED, from BLISTER, is built on those conversations. Each episode moves beyond a simple product review to explore the entire ecosystem of creation, whether the subject is a meticulously roasted coffee, a complex whiskey, a precision timepiece, or a bold new wine. You'll hear directly from the individuals who define these fields-brewers, distillers, founders, and artisans who started their ventures not because it was easy, but because they couldn't imagine doing anything else. This podcast digs into the raw materials, the failed experiments, the business risks taken on a principle, and the quiet triumphs that happen long before a product reaches a shelf. It’s about the philosophy embedded in the process as much as the technical skill. Tuning in feels less like listening to an interview and more like pulling up a stool in a workshop or a tasting room, offering an intimate look at the patience, setbacks, and unwavering standards that transform a simple idea into a crafted object. The stories are specific, but the themes of creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit are universal, connecting anyone who appreciates the depth behind a well-made thing.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

CRAFTED
Podcast Episodes
Skier & Chef Mark Connell on Great Palates & Cheap Pizza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:35
What does it actually mean to have a “great palate”? In this episode of the Vault, originally featured on CRAFTED, Jonathan talked to lifelong skier and PARC Aspen Chef, Mark Connell, about “supertasters,” and why some c…
Did Accountants Ruin Whiskey? With Leopold Bros founder, Todd Leopold [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:59
What do rye whiskey, fruit brandy, and vinegar have in common? At one point, they were all made on the same kind of still. Todd Leopold, co-founder and owner of Leopold Bros, has spent years resurrecting that lost produc…
Why This Device Could Change the Way You Make Coffee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:15
What exactly is ‘pressure-brewed’ coffee? (Hint: it’s not espresso.) Today, Presston founder Korey Dausz joins Simon Stewart to talk about designing and building a coffee maker that uses pressure to make great coffee, in…
The Cult of Mezcal w/ Pedro Jimenez [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:48
There are more than 175 species of agave native to Mexico — so why is tequila made from just one? To answer that question, you have to understand centuries of tradition, industrialization, and the forces affecting Mexico…
The Problem with ‘Perfect’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:53
“That’s smooth!” That’s often the first thing someone will say after trying a new drink. But what if that’s a sign that we don’t actually know how to evaluate -- and appreciate -- the thing in the glass we’re holding? In…
What is “Post-Natural” Wine? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:27
According to all the headlines, the wine industry is in trouble — sales are plummeting, major producers are shrinking their portfolios, and the natural wine movement has become a punchline. But what if wine isn't actuall…
The Rise, Fall, and Revival of Tiki [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:26
Tiki is easy to dismiss: themed mugs, carved idols, Hawaiian shirts, and over-the-top cocktails. But the real history is far more interesting. After nearly disappearing in the 1970s, tiki is being revived and redefined b…