Cholula vs Tabasco: 8 Differences You Need to Know

When it comes to hot sauce, there are seemingly endless options available on store shelves.

But if you’re a hot sauce lover, you know that not all sauces are created equal.

When it comes to hot sauce, there are a lot of options on the market.

But Cholula and Tabasco are two brands that always seem to come out on top.

Cholula and Tabasco are two of the most popular hot sauce on the market today.

Both are made with peppers, vinegar, and salt, and both are delicious, versatile, and pack a serious punch, but there are some key differences between the two.

Let’s take a closer look at these iconic hot sauces to see which one comes out on top.

What is Cholula?

Cholula’s original hot sauce is a Mexican–style hot sauce made with chili pepper, vinegar, garlic, and other spices.

It has a milder flavor than Tabasco, with a Scoville rating of only 1,000-2,000.

This makes it a good choice for those who want to add flavor to their food without making it too spicy.

Cholula has various flavors, including original, chipotle, green pepper, and more.

History

Cholula is a Mexican hot sauce produced since the early 1900s.

The sauce is named after the city of Cholula, located in Puebla, Mexico.

The sauce was created by Don Manuel María Ángel Mendoza, who began bottling and selling the sauce commercially in 1909.

What is Tabasco?

Tabasco is a Louisiana-style hot sauce with vinegar, peppers, and salt.

It is aged for 3 years in oak barrels before being bottled, which gives it a unique flavor that is both sharp and spicy.

Tabasco is also one of the hotter spicy sauces on the market, with a Scoville rating of 2,500-5,000.

This makes it an excellent choice for those who like their food with a little bit of a kick.

History

Tabasco is an American hot sauce that was first produced in 1868 by Edmund McIlhenny.

McIlhenny was a Louisiana-based banker who began growing peppers on Avery Island, located off the coast of Louisiana.

After perfecting his recipe, he sold the sauce commercially under “Tabasco.”

What are the differences between Cholula and Tabasco?

In the world of hot sauces, two reign supreme: Cholula and Tabasco.

Both are widely available and have been around for years, but which is better?

Let’s take a closer look at the elements that make these two sauces unique.

1. Origins

The first thing to note is that Cholula is a Mexican hot sauce while Tabasco is from Louisiana in the United States.

This difference in location means that the peppers used in each sauce differ.

Cholula is made with chili pepper, while Tabasco is made with cayenne pepper.

The different types of peppers give each sauce a unique flavor. 

Cholula has a milder, more nuanced flavor, while Tabasco is sharper and spicier.

2. Aging process

Another difference between these two sauces is the aging process.

Cholula is made with peppers, vinegar, and salt combined and bottled immediately.

On the other hand, Tabasco is aged for 3 years in oak barrels before being bottled.

This process gives Tabasco a more complex flavor that sets it apart from other hot sauces on the market.

3. Heat Level

Regarding heat, Cholula and Tabasco are on opposite ends of the spectrum.

Cholula is one of the milder hot sauces available, with a Scoville rating of only 1,000-2,000.

This makes it a good choice for those who want to add flavor to their food without making it too spicy.

Conversely, Tabasco is much hotter, with a Scoville rating of 2,500-5,000.

This makes it an excellent choice for those who like their food with a little bit of a kick.

4. Ingredients

The most significant difference between Cholula and Tabasco is the ingredients.

Cholula’s recipe includes chili peppers, vinegar, water, garlic, salt, and spices. 

On the other hand, Tabasco’s ingredients are much simpler and only include chili peppers, vinegar, and salt.

This simple ingredient list makes Tabasco versatile; it can be used in all sorts of dishes without too much altering the flavor.

Cholula’s additional ingredients give it a more complex flavor that some people prefer.

5. Texture

Cholula hot sauce is thinner than Tabasco sauce and has a slightly grainy texture.

Tabasco sauce is thicker and has a smoother texture.

6. Flavor

Because of the different ingredients used in each recipe, Cholula and Tabasco also have different flavors.

Cholula has a more complex flavor with hints of garlic and spices.

It is a perfect balance of smokey, earthy, and spicy.

Tabasco, on the other hand, is very vinegary with a kick of heat from the chili peppers.

Finally, it’s worth noting that Cholula comes in both original and chipotle flavors, while Tabasco only has one flavor (although there are different variations like green jalapeño and habanero).

So if you’re looking for more variety in your hot sauce choices, Cholula is the way to go.

Tabasco is your best bet if you want a classic flavor that will never let you down.

7. Color

Cholula sauce is a deep red color, while Tabasco sauce is orange.

8. Uses

Cholula hot sauce is versatile and can be used on just about anything.

It’s perfect for eggs, tacos, burritos, pizzas, pastas, and salads.

Tabasco hot sauce can also be used on various foods but shines as a finishing touch on soups and Bloody Marys.

It’s also commonly used as an ingredient in recipes for wings or other spicy dishes.

Cholula vs Tabasco: Are they the same?

When it comes to hot sauces, two stand out above the rest: Cholula and Tabasco.

Both Cholula and Tabasco are great choices when it comes to hot sauce.

They both have unique flavors that can add something extra to any dish.

Cholula hot sauce has a base of arbol and piquin peppers, vinegar, water, salt, and garlic.

The sauce has a smoky flavor with just a hint of sweetness.

Tabasco hot sauce has a base of tabasco peppers, vinegar, salt, and spices.

Cholula hot sauce has moderate heat that builds slowly over time.

Tabasco sauce has a high level of heat that hits you immediately.

Both Cholula and Tabasco hot sauces are excellent additions to your favorite dishes.

Their unique flavors, textures, and heat levels make them stand out from the crowd.

So, which one should you choose?

That ultimately comes down to personal preference.

If you like a complex flavor with moderate heat, then Cholula is the way to go.

Tabasco is your best bet if you prefer a vinegary hot sauce with a high level of heat.

Whichever one you choose, you can’t go wrong.