Buzz
I've had enough of hot honey. It's been around for years, but I first noticed it becoming trendy around 2018. Despite multiple attempts (too many to count) and experimenting with it on various dishes (quite a few), it’s never spicy enough. Not even remotely. While I do enjoy the combination of sweet and spicy (please don’t make me use the word “swicy”), it often doesn’t align with the dish’s flavor. So, I suggest leaving hot honey behind and giving hot ketchup a try—it's got the perfect balance of heat, flavor, and a touch of sweetness.
To be clear, I’m not a hardcore spice lover. I’m not the kind of person who snacks on habaneros. I appreciate a bit of heat as an accent to a dish’s flavors, and I often use hot sauce or sprinkle chilies onto my food. But as soon as the heat takes away from my enjoyment, it's over the top. I know everyone has different heat tolerances, but hot honey can’t provide a lasting spice hit. And that’s no fault of the honey itself.
Why Honey Struggles to Deliver the Heat
Honey is a wonderful treat, but it will never provide the heat that other sauces can. Honey is primarily made up of carbohydrates in the form of sugars and a small amount of water. In fact, sugar can actually soothe the sensation of capsaicin (the spicy compound found in hot peppers) by acting like a painkiller. This means that honey will actually reduce the perceived spiciness of hot peppers for your mouth’s pain receptors. Hot honey is truly an oxymoron.
If you’re set on hot honey, go for the brands that contain actual visible pepper mash. When you add it to your food, you’re likely to bite into one of these bits and get a sharp burst of heat. I suggest Melinda’s Ghost Pepper Hot Honey. The heat is intense but brief, and if that suits your taste, this one should be perfect for you.
Hot ketchup reigns supreme
Thankfully, hot ketchup is here to save the day. It’s become my go-to condiment during these early summer days. I’ve been using Rao’s Arrabbiata Ketchup, which packs an unexpectedly powerful punch. Hot ketchup is a far superior delivery method for heat—it clings to food, the flavor adapts well, and there’s not enough sugar to dull the spice. Honey lacks structure, so it tends to drip off, while ketchup is thick and stays put. Ketchup's flavor is also less polarizing. I know some people dislike the combination of sweet and savory, but ketchup tastes less like candy and still hits the spot.
Now that it’s grilling season, I believe spicy ketchup should be the undisputed king of summer condiments. Use it on everything you've tried hot honey with. Add it to your barbecue sauce, use it as a marinade, spread it on pizza, and of course, slather it on your hot sandwiches. And if you’re wondering how to spice up your blueberry pie à la mode (I’m talking to the two of you who love spicy desserts), maybe just reach for some hot sauce.
