The result? A mouthwatering lineup of eight mind-blowing sauces, three chilli salts and one smoke seasoning that are dead set on changing how you experience food.

So when it comes to picking ADF’s “top” products, it’s less about identifying which sauces are the “best” and more about finding your sauce-soulmate.

Ready to fall in love? Allow us to do a bit of matchmaking. After you’ve identified the products that fit your flavor preferences, hop over to ADF’s online store to craft a customized pack.

Let’s be real: extreme heat isn’t for everyone. Sure, you like a dash of spice, but you’d rather bask in pure flavor than set your tastebuds ablaze. We get you.

There’s no shame in liking it mild. If you’re craving authentic African flavor with a milder edge, the Southern Braai Sauce and Sweet Dream Sauce are two favorites just waiting to win you over.

Southern Braai (Heat Rating: 1/10)

Our Southern Braai is a chilli BBQ sauce hailing originally from Africa’s deep south. With a full-bodied sweetness and subtle notes of spice, this one’s known fondlyby our team as a hot sauce with “training wheels.”

The sauce’s fermented red peppers do offer a gentle zing, but their tangy edge registers more as sharp flavor than serious heat. We recommend the Southern Braai sauce to those who shy away from serious spice but still crave bold, authentic flavor.

Sweet Dream Sauce (Heat Rating: 2/10)

We weren’t kidding when we said that we designed ADF’s premier collection to include a little something for everyone. If traditional hot sauce isn’t your jam, our jam-like Sweet Dream Sauce just might be.

We like to think of this one as chutney’s bolder, more flavorful cousin. With a thick, full-bodied consistency, the Sweet Dream Sauce boasts a balanced pallet of flavor from bell peppers, garlic, lemons, coriander and just a dash of red chilli. Its pleasant tingle, fruity undertones and rich texture make it the perfect addition to a bagel and cream cheese.

There’s something to be said for the middle ground. You crave heat, but you’d rather not scare the pants off your tastebuds. You’re looking for a sauce with a hearty, seductive burn that doesn’t absolutely gas-torch your brains out. We get it—you’re about moderation, and frankly we respect that.

For those who like it medium, the Ghost Peri-Peri Sauce and Bird’s Eye Chilli Sauce hit that sweet spot between mild and mind-blowingly hot.

Ghost Peri-Peri (Heat Rating: 6/10)

The Ghost Pepper has a reputation as a super-hot chilli. But our Ghost Peri-Peri Sauce rounds out the pepper’s intense heat, balancing it with the rich flavor of lemons, garlic and cane sugar. A daring take on traditional peri-peri sauce, this one is miles away from any “hot sauce” you’ve ever tasted.

Our Ghost Peri-Peri is also the perfect opportunity for mid-level heat enthusiasts to experience the iconic chilli’s distinctive flavor without submitting themselves to the ghost pepper’s full-force, mind-blowing heat. At a 6/10 on our scale, this one has a sweet upfront flavor backed by a slow-burning spice. It’ll warm your mouth without knocking you out.

Bird's Eye Chilli Sauce (Heat Rating: 7/10)

The African bird’s eye chilli is a staple in regional cuisines across the continent. It’s best known for its complex taste, striking heat and addictive nature. Those three components are also exactly what makes it shine as the star ingredient of our Bird’s Eye Chilli Sauce—a medium-level sauce that doesn’t sacrifice flavor for heat.

Registering a 7/10 on our heat scale, this one balances the pepper’s piquant sizzle with the vibrant flavors of farm-grown garlic, salt and vinegar. It’s guaranteed to bring an ardent, unforgettable zest to pizza, chicken, meat or fish.

Its complex taste and bold heat have earned this chilli a reputation as a highly-addictive, incredibly delicious addition to many regional dishes. We’re talking soups, stews, hot sauces and meat dishes—there’s not much that can’t be made better with the African bird’s eye chilli’s delectable sizzle.

Of course, no discussion of this little firecracker could be complete without the mention of its use in Mozambican peri-peri chicken, a zesty African classic that balances the African bird’s eye chilli’s piquant sizzle with the vibrant flavors of fresh lime, garlic and vinegar. It’s also, of course, the starring ingredient in our Bird’s Eye Chilli Sauce, which brings the pepper’s unique heat and striking flavor to pizza, chicken, meat, fish and just about anything else.

Conservation Efforts—How You Can Help Save the Zebra

While the zebra as species is not currently classified as endangered, many of its subspecies are quickly approaching extinction. Even so, what we have with the zebra is the priceless opportunity to stop widespread endangerment before it happens. We can save the zebra before it needs saving. When it comes to conservation efforts, the most effective initiatives are always preventative. There’s no way to reverse extinction, but we can stop it before it has the chance to happen.
According to the African Wildlife Foundation, protecting Africa’s zebra populations requires promoting sustainable livestock management. Over the years, some organizations have sprung up to incentivize farmers to follow conservation practices which prevent habitat destruction and minimize agricultural encroachment. Others have worked to dedicate large swathes of land to wildlife conservation, linking key habitat areas in order to maximize grazing range.

The hard part? These measures are far from cheap. Across the board, Africa’s conservation movement is facing a financial crisis. That’s why we’ve stepped up and made it our mission to help. Each time you purchase a bottle of ADF hot sauces or spices, we pass a portion of the proceeds on to Africa’s leading wildlife conservation programs. We might not have the immediate solution, but we’re committed to doing our part.

Each year between June and July, millions of wildlife enthusiasts flock to Serengeti National Park to experience the region’s famous wildebeest migration. But the countless wildebeests and zebras draw more than just tourists—they also make Serengeti an ideal destination for wildlife enthusiasts who have their hearts set on seeing lions, hyenas, golden jackals and black-blacked jackals. On a good day, visitors may even have the good fortune to spot one of the region’s cheetahs.

If the mention of an African safari has you dreaming of sprawling grasslands dappled with acacia trees and antelope herds, Serengeti National Park might be your spot. The best part? Serengeti’s endless horizon and dramatic panorama views aren’t just breathtaking landscapes; they also make it easy for visitors to witness the park’s wildlife populations. One of the best African safari destinations out there.

If you’re an elephant enthusiast looking to see the majestic animals in their natural habitat, Chobe National Park in Botswana is the place to be. Dubbed the “Land of the Giants,” this park is home to an estimated 120,000 elephants, which takes the cake as the largest elephant population in the world.

The park’s river also lends the park an unmatched range of biodiversity. To see Chobe National Park in all its glory, you’ll want to skip the 4x4 vehicle and opt for a boat trip instead. Outside of the region’s many elephants, the park is also teeming with hippos, crocodiles, lions, leopards, buffaloes and countless other species.

No safari list would be complete without mention of iconic Kruger National Park. At nearly 2 million hectares, it ranks as one of Africa’s largest game reserves. But don’t let its vastness overwhelm you! Despite its sprawling size, Kruger is the ideal destination for first-timers seeking entry-level safari spots with plenty of accommodation options, well-maintained trails and an established road system.

While there are plenty of guided options available, this park is also one of the best destinations for adventurous nature enthusiasts looking to embark on their own self-drive safari. While there, visitors are likely to see the continent’s so-called “Big Five,” which includes lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and African buffalos.

With a few quick clicks, you can send anyone a flavor-packed gift box of all-natural African hot sauces and spices. Ranging from sweet and mild to blazing hot, ADF’s lineup of crowd-pleasers (African Ghost Pepper Sauce, Lemon and Garlic Peri-Peri, and Bird’s Eye Chilli Sauce, to name a few) are a sure-fire way to score with anyone who loves bold, authentic flavor and farm-grown ingredients.

Plus, each bottle purchased helps to promote wildlife conservation efforts in Africa, making it an ideal conservation hot sauce for fans of socially conscious food.

Seriously, it’s time to spice up the gift-giving scene. Stop trading iTunes gift cards with family members and pushing citrus-scented candles onto your friends. If you’re hunting for a gift with a little more zing, here are 5 reasons to #SendHotSauce.

Variety is the spice of life, but COVID lockdowns and social distancing have created a severe deficiency. For many, day-to-day life has blurred into a bland mix of “sames”—the same tasks, the same home-cooked meals and the same uninteresting flavors.

Sending your friends and family a gift box with ADF’s authentic African hot sauce and chilli salt is the ideal way to add a bold kick to their dull COVID lives. Best of all, ADF’s line of sauces and seasonings pair perfectly with a wide range of home-cooked meals, elevating any drab dish with a punch of exotic flavor.

We might be stuck at home for now, but a hot sauce gift set offers free-spirited explorers the opportunity to serve up adventurous flavor from their very own kitchen. Plus, a surprise gift box is a great way to tell a friend you’re thinking of them when you can’t just pop by and say hi. Social distancing sucks—but it doesn’t have to be flavorless.

Everyone has that one person on their list: they have it all, want nothing, and are famous for returning gifts as soon as they’re unwrapped. The perfect present is something they’ll love and use—we’re talking practicality with a dash of luxury. The sure-fire answer? A hot sauce gift box.

Ranging from mild and smoky to feverishly spicy, ADF’s African hot sauce and chilli salt gift sets are perfect not only for the hot sauce addict on your list, but anyone who loves bold flavor. And let’s face it—flavor is like paid vacations, baby animals, and good health: everyone loves it.

We get the appeal of edible gifts: they’re practical, accessible, and widely popular. Not shockingly, they’ve long been the go-to for those who are hard to buy for. After all, everyone loves food. But food baskets and edible arrangements are a little outdated. Sure, they’re a nice gesture—but that’s really all they are.

Hot sauce gift boxes offer all the practicality and appeal of a traditional food gift with a little more kick and sizzle. Unlike fruit arrangements or chocolate boxes, ADF’s African Ghost Pepper sauce, Lemon & Garlic Peri Peri, and other flavor-packed products aren’t going to expire overnight or pack pounds to the waistline. Plus, hot sauce gift boxes bring joy to their recipients not just once, but each time they’re used. From the top of the bottle to the very bottom, they’ll thank you with every bite.

Choosing the Right Hot Sauce

Another factor to consider is choosing the right hot sauce. There are some super healthy hot sauces out there, the healthiest hot sauce has the least amount of added sugar, and usually, only contains natural ingredients and no preservatives. Like our Jalanasco and Habanasco fermented sauces (which are also great hot sauces for gut health!). Hot sauces like these are the best for weight loss as they have maximum flavor but minimum calories.

Looking for healthy recipes that include hot sauce? Check out our recipe developers smoky roast veggies or a super easy deviled eggs recipe!

If hot sauce puts a big ole grin on your face it’s more than just irresistible flavor at play. Why?

The capsaicin in spicy foods triggers the pain receptors in your TRPV1 nerves, which trick your body into believing your mouth is literally on fire. That might not sound awesome, but the side effects are undeniably pleasant.

In response to the fake emergency, your TRPV1 nerves signal your body to dispatch a flood of feel-good chemicals. Once it hits your system, those mood-boosting endorphins give your brain a subtle euphoric buzz which some compare to a “runner’s high.”

Do you know what else boosts your mood? Good sex! Yes, we went there. Chilies are considered to be one of the best aphrodisiacs out there so a healthy dose of hot sauce can also spice up your bedroom.

Sounds like a win-win to us!

If you didn’t already have enough reason to douse everything you eat in hot sauce, spicy food’s promising ability to fight cancer will do it. It’s a lofty claim, yes—but more and more groundbreaking studies suggest the same exciting conclusion: cancer hates spicy foods.

The scientific community still has research to do in order to prove this. Ultimately hot foods are far from a cure-all when it comes to a disease as serious as cancer. However, eating capsaicin consistently forces some cancer cells into a process called apoptosis. Which is basically just a fancy word for “cellular suicide.”

The result? Suppression of cancerous cell growth and the slow-down of tumor advancement. In the future, it might even allow for better management of the disease as a whole.

A big claim? Yes. But we’re just repeating science-backed findings. In 2015, a research study of 500,000 individuals concluded something that had hot sauce addicts around the world rejoicing. After tracking participants for seven years, they found that those who ate spicy food at least 3-7 times per week had a 14% lower chance of death.

As we know, it can be possible to have too much of a good thing. Eating hot sauce every day has some amazing health benefits but there are also some downsides. The health risks of eating hot sauce vary from person to person, so only you know your limits and if you have a sensitive stomach, then things can go south quite quickly; if you catch our drift. There have also been reports on acid reflux in some patients who eat too much of the stuff. Although, some people can eat hot sauce every day and have no problems, so it is really up to you!

There are myths on whether you can eat hot sauce while you're pregnant, and the answer is a resounding yes! There is no evidence that it would harm you or your little one. Thank goodness, nine months without hot sauce would be awful!

Here are the primary factors impacting their struggle and—more importantly—how we can take action to keep them from disappearing forever.

At between 8 and 13 feet tall and 5,000 to 14,000 pounds heavy, the African elephant is our planet’s largest land-dwelling animal. Sadly, when it comes to dietary needs the elephant’s massive size makes for a massive appetite. Over the last several decades, booming human populations have spurred the encroachment of civilization into natural areas, putting these beautiful giants at odds with their increasingly developed surroundings.

Although researchers have successfully implemented some less-invasive methods for driving groups of elephants away from populated areas (such as using recordings of the sound of angry honey bees or even using hot chillis like the African ghost pepper to deter them), not all methods are so kind. Many have resulted in the injuring or even killing herd members; this has made efforts to save the African elephant increasingly difficult.

Even after an elephant herd is successfully driven away, they face the declining availability of adequate land to live on. With deforestation and industrial development on the rise, today’s African elephants have fewer square miles of suitable habitat than ever before.

Ivory Trade and Poaching

Known for their unique tusks, the lozenge-shaped enamel of African elephants’ molar teeth is what sets them distinctly apart from their international counterparts (such as the Asian elephant). Unfortunately, as with many of today’s most vulnerable wildlife, it’s this unique trait that puts the majestic giants in danger.

African elephants need their tusks for attracting mates, foraging food and fighting off predators. But they’re also an in-demand luxury material used in ivory artwork, ornaments, jewellery and piano keys. At hundreds of dollars per pound, ivory sourced from African elephant tusks have become an in-demand status symbol, especially in countries like China.

Of course, if removing or dying an elephant’s tusk was all it took to deter poachers, the problem may have been solved already. Unfortunately, an elephant’s tusk is deeply embedded into its skull, leading poachers to brutally and violently kill the animals in order to remove the material. In just three years between 2010 and 2013, more than 100,000 African elephants were killed in the name of the ivory trade.

Since the early 1990s, international trade bans on ivory and initiatives like the African Elephant Database have made efforts to ease these tragic consequences and protect the continent’s wild elephant populations, but improvements have been minimal. Looking to the future, saving the African elephant will prove difficult—but not impossible.

Artificial preservatives work by preventing the growth of microorganisms that cause food to rot. But microorganisms aren’t just a threat to your cheeseburger’s lifespan—in some cases, they’re essential to your wellbeing. In fact, they play an essential role in your gastrointestinal system and wholly determine your gut health.

Sure, artificial preservatives like sulphites, sodium benzoate and nitrates are going to thoroughly destroy any microorganisms that might try to make a meal of your food. They’ll extend that food’s shelf life, but they’ll also devastate the delicate, essential microbes that wholly determine our gastrointestinal health.

Consuming fermented foods can help to restore your gut flora and bring balance back to your gastrointestinal system. But if you’re regularly chowing down on processed snacks and processed foods with artificial preservatives, those good little microbes just don’t stand a chance.

Aside from their disastrous impact on your gut health, artificial preservatives may also increase your risk of cancer, deteriorate heart health and impact childhood development.

Socially conscious food products are huge right now. But ethical consumerism isn’t a passing fad, it’s a global movement that’s rapidly redefining purchase habits and restructuring entire industries.

When it comes to ethical consumption, fair trade practices are a big piece of the puzzle. But despite its buzzword status, you might still be fuzzy on what “fair trade” really means.

African Dream Food, for example, implements fair trade practices by paying a fair price for the work of our production companies in South Africa. In sourcing our ingredients directly from small local farms, we also seek to build regional economies and bring more revenue into the area. In short, our goal isn’t just to churn out a product—we’re striving to leverage our business in order to positively impact the African economy.

It’s not exactly a secret: there’s a lot of shady practices happening in the business world today. Big unethical companies are all about increasing profit margins, often at the expense of impoverished communities and developing countries.

They’d like us to turn a blind eye to it, but the tragic truth is that child labor, dangerous working conditions, inhumane wages and other forms of exploitation are all too common. Thankfully, fair trade companies exist to give consumers an ethical alternative.

When you choose to shop exclusively with socially conscious fair trade companies, you’re investing in brands that create opportunities for marginalized producers, bring revenue into disadvantaged areas, cultivate empowering working conditions, ensure worker’s rights and respect cultural identity.

The bottom line? Choosing to shop with fair trade brands is the only way to ensure your purchase hasn’t played a role in oppressing another human being. If that makes shopping exclusively with fair trade companies seem like a total no-brainer to you then we’re on the same page.

Cultured foods have even taken the hot sauce world by storm, catapulting fermented hot sauces like ADF’s Habanasco fermented hot sauce and Jalansco fermented hot sauce into high demand—and for good reason. At the end of the day, fermentation is so much more than the latest food trend. Considering its massive health benefits, we’re betting this craze is here to stay. Not sold on it already? Here’s why you might want to reconsider.

Fermented foods have gained a dedicated cult following and an almost mystical reputation, but the magic of fermentation comes down to pure science. Put simply, fermentation is the purposeful exposure of certain foods to yeast and/or good bacteria.

These helpful microorganisms break down the food’s carbohydrates, transforming them into either alcohols or acids. That’s why we have fermentation to thank for beverages like wine and beer—it’s also what gives fermented foods the distinct, tangy taste that so many of us have come to crave. That is why fermented hot sauce is such a hit!

Fermentation packs food with rich flavor and adds a nice little buzz to our favorite alcoholic beverages, but it also does so much more.

To understand why your gut needs fermented foods, you must first understand that there are 10x more bacterial organisms in our bodies than there are human cells. With that startling fact in mind, one could even argue we’re more microbe than human.

Though we never see them and rarely think about them, the microbes that call our guts home wholly determine our gastrointestinal health. They keep our metabolism in check, allow us to absorb nutrients and enable our immune system to function. We’re also indebted to these microbes for much of the dopamine and serotonin produced by our bodies—two compounds which are almost single-handedly responsible for every feeling of happiness you’ve ever experienced. Sound like a lofty job? Exactly. You can eat fermented hot sauce and feel happy about it, now that sounds like a win-win.

Here’s where fermented foods come in: the culturing process which causes fermentation loads foods up with essential probiotics (read: good bacteria) that keep your gut flora happy and thriving. Studies suggest the many benefits of fermented foods include a boosted immune system, improved digestive health, promoted heart health and the promotion of weight loss.  

In addition to their probiotic boost, the culturing process also dissolves the less digestible elements present in a food source, making it possible for the body to absorb vitamins and minerals that would have otherwise been inaccessible. That’s why so many health experts recommend eating some form of fermented food with every meal—something which fermented hot sauces like our Habanasco fermented hot sauce and our Jalanasco fermented hot sauce are perfect for. 

Basically, when you add a fermented sauce to your meal, you’re not just adding flavor—you’re promoting gut health and allowing your body to access untapped nutrients. If that’s not one of the hottest two-for-one deals you’ve ever heard, we’re not sure what is.