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
Our Reviewers' 2025 Craft Obsessions & 2026 Curiosities (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:46
Jonathan talks with Blister managing editor Luke Koppa, reviewer Paul Forward, and our bike editor, David Golay, about the craft categories that most captivated them this past year, and some of the categories they are mo…
Our Reviewers' 2025 Craft Obsessions & 2026 Curiosities (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:32
As we wrap up 2025, we are once again sharing the craft categories that most captivated our Blister reviewers this past year, and we’re revealing some of the categories they are most curious about heading into 2026. We k…
Amateur Hour: Camera Gear w/ Jonathan Ellsworth and Justin Bobb [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:02
Recently, Jonathan has been going deep down the rabbit hole of camera gear and lighting, and the strikingly handsome Justin Bobb has been his spiritual guide. So today, we’re broaching these topics with all of you, and y…
Caviar 101 with Black River Caviar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:25
Caviar. Is there any word — or food — that more quickly conjures up associations of luxury and opulence? But caviar isn’t just a thing to serve on the yacht you don’t own, caviar has a rich history. Once a snack only for…
The Whiskey that Set a Land Speed Record: Montgomery Distilling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:48
Not every distillery owner has a land speed record to their name, but Ryan Montgomery of Montgomery Distilling does. So Eli talked with him about all things spirits, from the Montana-grown grain that helped power that la…
HiFi Audio, Aesthetics, & Design w/ Heaven 11’s Itai Azerad [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:00
A famous philosopher once said, “Without music, life would be a mistake.” We agree. And while music is all around us, it’s easier and easier to take it for granted, or to have a very diluted experience of it. So, how do…