We Have a Problem- Now There’s a Sriracha Sauce Shortage
Sriracha Sauce is one of those condiments that most people either really love or really hate. According to Wikipedia, sriracha is a sauce produced by Huy Fong Foods and is sometimes referred to as "rooster sauce"
Sriracha Sauce has been incorporated into a number of foods by U.S. restaurant chains including McDonalds, Subway, Taco Bell, Chick-fi-A, Firehouse Subs, Starbucks and Burger King.
Today, Huy Fong Foods has announced that there is an official shortage of Sriracha Hot Sauce. The company says the shortage is expected to last throughout the summer. Huy Fong says it has been suffering from a chili pepper shortage since July 2020 and things have only gotten worse.
The company has already informed grocery store chains that "We understand that this may cause issues, However, during this time we will not accept any new orders to be placed before September as we will not have the inventory to fulfill your order".
A quick check of shelves in area grocery outlets are already showing some supplies running short.
Huy Fong Foods is a southern California based company, which exports their sauces to countries worldwide. In a press release, they say they source their peppers from various farms in California, New Mexico and Mexico. The company claims weather conditions are affecting the quality of the peppers, as most chili growing areas are in severe drought.
In the event that this shortage causes you major trauma, you are not totally out of luck. There are many do-it-yourself sriracha recipes online that are getting strong reviews.. One recipe from the minimalistbaker.com claims you can just blend 7 simple ingredients in a small blender. The ingredients are Red bell peppers, tomato paste, garlic, red pepper flakes, maple syrup with a touch of vinegar and salt to preserve freshness.
Let's hope that this shortage, like so many others, passes quickly. You can always find chili pepper seeds at Palmer Feed and Supply. Grow your own and follow one of the online recipes. You might find that you never have to buy this sauce in stores again.