Peri Peri Sauce

Peri Peri Sauce

Today peri peri sauce is closely associated with the chain restaurant known as Nando's which serves it with their chicken. The creation of peri peri sauce is traced back to a Portuguese-African origin. 'Pilipili' in Swahili means "pepper"; from which 'peri peri' was derived.

Peri peri sauce is made from the malagueta pepper which was introduced to Mozambique by the Portuguese and later spread to their other territories in the region. It rates from 60,000 to 100,000 Scoville units; the Scoville scale rates the strength of chillies and as far as the scale goes this pepper is just below the mid-level on the overall scale.

The peri peri sauce profile

Aside from the main chilli, the other ingredients are a variation of salt, spirits (some are made without spirits), citrus peel, onion, pepper, bay leaves, paprika, pimiento, basil, oregano and tarragon.

The resulting flavours are tangy and spicy.

Health benefits of peri peri sauce

Due to the pepper in peri peri it is rich in vitamins and minerals and it helps metabolism as well. The green kind is packed with vitamin C and the red kinds are more vitamin A than a carrot. Drying these red ones in the sun also increases the carotene content.

Comments

One can find many variations of peri peri, some are milder in case people cannot handle too much spice and there are versions that are a lot spicier if that is your favoured flavour.

Peri peri can be eaten with many things to add another layer of flavour to your food, it is also common for people to add it to a marinade.

The price of peri peri sauce ranges from the mid to lower ends. Many different brands produce it, including a version that is sold by Nando's; even outside their restaurants.