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Our pepper spread, a sweet and fiery condiment, that has teased the palates of foodies and culinary adventurers alike. Its rise in popularity is not surprising when you consider its versatility in the kitchen. From transforming a bland snack into a mouth-watering treat, to adding a zesty glaze to your favorite dishes, Scorched Bonnets Sweet Heat Pepper Spread is the secret ingredient your pantry has been missing. Scotch Bonnet Sweet Heat Pepper Spread for Appetizers Begin your culinary adventure with simple appetizer strategy that will WOW your guests. Remember the magical 3, carbs, cheese and Scorched Bonnets. With any combination of carbs (cracker, phyllo, puff pastry, bread) with it's complimentary cheese (cool, melted, fried, baked...) and with a generous dollop of Scotch Bonnet Pepper Spread you have created a masterpiece. Brie and Scorched Bonnets wrapped in puff pastry, baked to ooey-gooey perfection. Experience the magic of charcuterie by simply adding a bottle of Scorched Bonnets to any platter and watch the magic happen. Elevate your mini grilled cheese sandwiches by adding a layer of Scorched Bonnets for a burst of flavor. Glazes and Sauces Moving on to the main course, our pepper spread can be used as a glaze. Whether you're grilling chicken, tossing on wings, roasting pork, or searing salmon, brushing a bit of pepper spread on your protein can transform your meals and add a beautiful caramelization and a sweet heat that's hard to beat. Prepare to say WOW! Sweet and Spicy Desserts For those with a daring sweet tooth, our pepper spread can be a surprising addition to desserts. Drizzle a bit of pepper spread over cheese cake, funnel cake, pancakes or vanilla ice cream for a fiery twist. The beauty of our pepper spread lies in its ability to pair with both sweet and savory dishes, elevating the ordinary to extraordinary. As you experiment with these recipes, we invite you to share your pepper spread culinary creations and spread the joy of this versatile condiment.

CHAPTER 1: An Island Love Story and Set of Fat Ankles In the heart of Jamaica in the 1950's, Yvonne and John's love story began in the most unexpected way. Yvonne, enchanted by the freckles on the back of John's neck, and John, captivated by Yvonne's "fat ankles," shared secret glances in church. One day Yvonne dialed John's phone "Hi, I'm a secret admirer". Before she could hang up he said "I know who you are". From that moment they never separated and that phone call later blossomed into a lifelong love, surviving the challenges of migration and the test of time. CHAPTER 2: The Greatest Grandparents: John and Yvonne John's life, though prosperous, was steeped in hard work. Born to a pastor and entrepreneurial father and a horticulturist mother, he found himself reluctantly tending to yard work before school. His father's intention was clear; instill the values of diligence, follow the word of God and maintain a deep understanding of working the grounds. Yvonne’s life, though filled with many trials and tribulations, couldn't keep this strong woman hidden in the shadows.  Yvonne was a story teller and regaled her grandchildren with adventures growing up in Jamaica. After migrating to Toronto in the 1960's, John and Yvonne began building a life together with their daughter, Judy. Following many years of hard work, they settled into a beautiful house in the developing city of Markham. It was no surprise that John developed a green thumb and a knack for cultivating beautiful flowers, trees, fruits, and veggies, transforming their backyard into an oasis visited even by deer and other animals. His two grandchildren, Tyfanny and Yvonne would walk through the garden, plucking apples, pears, cherries, mulberries, and apricots straight from the tree. Their childhood memories were punctuated by the sight of their grandfather toiling in the garden under the hot sun; they would often walk out to offer him a cold drink. On the other hand, their grandmother, a fashionable social butterfly, the life of the party, full of life and laughter shared all she knew with her grandchildren through stories. Often hosting a party or heading to one, she never left her daughter or grandchildren behind. John and Yvonne were pivotal in shaping their granddaughter's childhood which was nothing short of vibrant, shaping their perspective on life and instilling in them a love for living joyously surrounded by friends and family. CHAPTER 3: Harvested Season Every year, during harvest season, John diligently gathered his yield of scotch bonnet peppers, a cherished tradition from Jamaica. With the house brimming with peppers and pepper plants, John would share his scotch bonnets with friends, family and even the local nursery. Yvonne made good use of the remaining peppers, crafting something special, a pepper jelly. But this wasn't an ordinary creation; it was a radiant jar of orange jelly that tasted as enchanting as it looked. Gathered around the kitchen table, the children indulged in this annual delight, pairing it with cheese and crackers, savoring a treat they wished would never end. CHAPTER 4: Secret Ingredient At family dinners, Judy added more than just flavour to her family meals; she added a secret ingredient - Tender Loving Care (TLC). The simple act of infusing meals with love became a family tradition, a tradition that would later inspire something extraordinary. CHAPTER 5: A Christmas Tradition Yvonne and John's granddaughters continued the pepper jelly tradition, and shared the recipe with a close friend Silvianna. As the Christmas holidays approached each of them created jars filled with their favorite pepper jelly with one rule: always make the recipe in a good mood and with the special ingredient, TLC. Friends and family eagerly awaited their yearly pepper jelly gifts, a symbol of love and a reminder that some things are worth the wait. CHAPTER 6: From Tradition to Business After many years of spreading joy in jars, their friends and family became ardent fans of the annual gift, yearning for more with each passing season. The three women began to entertain the idea of sharing their unique pepper jelly with the world. What began as a Christmas tradition became something more - a product born out of love, tradition, and the desire to transform meals into experiences. Quick Fact: You may have noticed that the story refers to a ‘pepper jelly’ and not a ‘pepper spread’.  In all honesty, when the co-founders speak about their product to each other they also refer to it as a pepper jelly.  However, in accordance with Canadian Food Guidelines Scorched Bonnets is not in fact a jelly but a spread simply because we choose to maintain small chunks of fruit and pepper and seeds in every bottle.

Behind every brand is a story, but not all resonate with the warmth of a love that blossomed in the sunny climes of Jamaica and traveled across oceans. This is the tale of Yvonne and John, whose affection for each other and their heritage gave rise to a tradition of scotch bonnet pepper jelly that today define their family brand. The 1950s in Jamaica were a time of simplicity and burgeoning love. Yvonne and John's mutual infatuation was visible through secret glances in church. Their love, sparked by a bold phone call, set the foundation for an adventurous life full of challenges, successes, migration, and ultimately, culinary creation. In Toronto, the couple nurtured not only their family but also a verdant garden. John's labor bore fruit in the literal sense, and Yvonne began a tradition that bound their family together – the annual harvest of Scotch Bonnet peppers and the making of Pepper Jelly. Their daughter Judy, and later their granddaughters, continued this ritual, making pepper jelly not just as a condiment, but as a symbol of their heritage and love. From secret admirers to bearers of a legacy, Yvonne and John's story is steeped in love, resilience, and the heat of Scotch Bonnet peppers. Through their family brand, they invite you to be part of a tradition that transcends generations and celebrates the fiery zest of life.

Introduction The allure of spicy foods extends beyond mere flavour; it's an intricate dance between pleasure and pain. What ignites this fiery delight in our meals? The secret lies in the compound capsaicin, found in chili peppers, which triggers the heat sensation we both dread and crave. The Scoville scale, a measure of spiciness developed by pharmacist Wilbur Scoville in 1912, quantifies this heat in Scoville Heat Units (SHU), setting the stage for a culinary heatwave that's as beneficial as it is intense (The Conversation, 2022). The Science of Spiciness Capsaicin's ability to simulate a thermal burn captivates our sensory receptors in the same way physical heat does. This intriguing phenomenon is not just a culinary quirk but a complex evolutionary trait, possibly developed as a defense mechanism by chili plants (The Conversation, 2022). Despite its daunting nature, humans have not only embraced the heat but have also harnessed it for its purported health benefits. Health Benefits of Spicy Foods Research has been pointing towards the positive effects of spicy foods. A study co-authored by Dr. Lu Qi, adjunct professor of nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, suggests that frequent consumption of spicy foods could be linked to longevity. After considering lifestyle factors, the study found that those who consumed spicy foods almost daily had a 14% lower risk of premature death compared to those who ate them less frequently. Capsaicin has been observed to improve metabolic status, influence lipid profiles, and contribute to reducing inflammation, which may explain the longevity link (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2020). Mitigating the Heat with Scotch Bonnets Despite their fiery reputation, Scotch Bonnets offer a unique heat experience that isn't just about the spice. On the Scoville scale, Scotch Bonnets score between 100,000 to 350,000 units, which suggests significant heat; however, their impact is nuanced with a sweet, fruity flavor that sets them apart from other hot peppers (The Conversation, 2022). This complexity allows for the heat to be present without overwhelming the palate, making them an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy the rich flavors of spicy foods without an intense burning sensation. Scotch Bonnets, named after their resemblance to traditional Scottish bonnets, bring more than just heat to a dish; they contribute a depth of flavour that enhances the overall taste experience. The key to enjoying our Scorched Bonnets Sweet Heat Pepper Spread is to start with small amounts and to combine it with complementary ingredients that can help balance their heat. For example, pairing it with sweet fruits or rich, creamy dishes can offset the spiciness while allowing their distinctive taste to shine through. For a more comprehensive dive into the heat profiles of different chilies and their culinary uses, explore the offerings at the Chile Pepper Institute affiliated with New Mexico State University (Smithsonian Magazine, 2013). References The Conversation. (2022). Why some like it hot: The science of spiciness. Retrieved January 20, 2024, from https://phys.org/news/2022-11-hot-science-spiciness.html Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2020). Does eating spicy foods have health benefits? Retrieved January 20, 2024, from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/does-eating-spicy-foods-have-health-benefits/ Smithsonian Magazine. (2013). How Hot is That Pepper? How Scientists Measure Spiciness. Retrieved January 20, 2024, from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/how-hot-is-that-pepper-how-scientists-measure-spiciness-884380/