The Difference Between Hot Sauce and Pepper Extract
In the world of heat, terms like hot sauce and pepper extract often get used interchangeably—but they’re not the same thing. Whether you’re a seasoned chilihead or just starting your spicy journey, understanding the difference is key to choosing the right product for your heat tolerance and cooking needs.
Let’s break down what separates a hot sauce from an extract, and show you where Mad Dog 357 brings the fire in both categories.
What Is Hot Sauce?
Hot sauce is a spicy condiment made from a mix of chili peppers, vinegar, and seasonings. It’s crafted to deliver heat with flavor, making it ideal for everyday use on your favorite foods.
Most hot sauces range from 1,000 to 100,000 SHU, but some go much higher.
Example:
Mad Dog 357 Original Hot Sauce
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357,000 SHU
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Made with 3 million SHU extract blended into a rich sauce base
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Delivers intense heat with a bold, savory flavor
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A go-to for anyone who wants serious fire in a sauce format
Use case: Turn up the heat on wings, burgers, and chili with a sauce that balances flavor and fire.
What Is Pepper Extract?
Pepper extract is a concentrated form of capsaicin—the compound that makes peppers hot. Extracts are created by isolating capsaicin from raw peppers, resulting in a thick, heat-forward product with very little flavor.
Extracts are not sauces. They’re food additives—meant to be used in tiny amounts to supercharge a dish’s heat or create a challenge.
Scoville levels for extracts typically begin around 500,000 SHU and can reach several million.
Extracts like Mad Dog 357 Plutonium No. 9 are not intended for direct consumption. Handle with extreme caution.
Example:
Mad Dog 357 Plutonium No. 9
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9,000,000 SHU
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Requires 1,000 ounces of raw peppers to produce a single 1 oz bottle
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One of the most potent and pure pepper extracts on the market
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Labeled clearly: DO NOT CONSUME DIRECTLY – FOOD ADDITIVE ONLY
Use case: Add explosive heat to large recipes or use in extreme spice challenges—just a drop is more than enough.
Hot Sauce vs. Extract: Side-by-Side
|
Product Type |
Scoville Range |
Use Case |
Flavor Profile |
Mad Dog 357 Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hot Sauce |
1,000 – 500,000+ |
Spicy flavor for food |
Spicy and savory |
Original Hot Sauce (357K SHU, made with 3M extract) |
|
Pepper Extract |
500,000 – 9,000,000+ |
Extreme heat, food additive |
Minimal (pure heat) |
Plutonium No. 9 (9M SHU) |
Which One Should You Choose?
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Want bold flavor with serious fire? Go with Mad Dog 357 Original Hot Sauce.
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Want to push your heat tolerance to the limit? Try Plutonium No. 9 Extract, with the respect it demands.
Either way, Mad Dog 357 gives you access to the real extremes of heat—from full-bodied sauces to near-pure extract power.
Ready to Feel the Fire?
Whether you’re cooking up a storm or testing your spice limits, Mad Dog 357 has the heat level for you.