Review - Benito's Habanero Infused Vermont Maple Syrup
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Ladies and gentlemen, Benito's Habanero Infused Vermont Maple Syrup is a very pure, simplistic product that flat out works.
It has merely two ingredients: Pure Grade B Organic Maple Syrup from Palmer Lane Maple in Jeffersonville, VT and Organic Habaneros from Foote Brook Farm in Johnson, VT.
It's not meant to have a swirling, complex melange of flavors. It takes two major tones - fruity and spicy habanero peppers and rich, sweet maple syrup - and marries them together almost perfectly.
Really, the distinctive taste of capsicum chinense shines through wonderfully, as if you're eating spoonfuls of diced habanero chiles without a lot of the eye-watering heat or bitterness that's characteristic of the pepper. Habaneros are my personal favorite to meld with sweet elements in sauces and syrups, and Benito's Habanero Infused Vermont Maple Syrup is another exemplary example of that fusion.
The maple syrup component itself is very good - not too sugary, not too strong and just the right amount of sparkle to counterbalance the habaneros.
My first food test was a classic American breakfast: pancakes and pork sausage. Fantastic! After scarfing this down, I wanted more (but I had to obstain 'cause I'm trying to watch my girlish figure). The next morning took care of the rest of bottle.
I can also see Benito's Habanero Infused Vermont Maple Syrup being used on ice cream, as well as employed as a spicy, sticky glaze on meat.
How's the heat? You'll definitely feel some burn, although this doesn't approach some of the scorhcing habanero hot sauces on the heat scale. From 1 to 5, with 5 being the hottest, this spicy syrup would rate around 2.5.
What's the big fault with this product? The bottle is too small! Any chilehead who's a fan of syrup will find himself or herself using the five fluid ounces of this within a day or two. A large, economy-sized bottle may be too cost prohibitive for customers to buy (and for Benito to produce), so unfortunately this may be relegated to an occasional-use, gourmet-only item.
Still, it should not deter any foodies who love the flavorful and the fiery to pick up a few bottles when they want to splurge and really enjoy a great product.
Overall Rating: 
Benito's Habanero Infused Vermont Maple Syrup is $10.00 per bottle plus shipping at benitoshotsauce.com.
Related Articles:
Review - Benito's Maple Chipotle Vermont Rib Rub
FireTalkers: Interview with Benito Maniscalco of Benito's Hot Sauces
Comments
2010-11-02 06:42:04
2010-11-02 14:19:03
xo
2010-11-02 18:50:50
2010-11-02 18:54:20
2010-11-02 20:34:24
And, Ol'Benito, I'd surely eat it with pancakes.
2010-11-03 17:55:47
2010-11-03 19:36:24
Great review, Scott. I'm sure that this syrup is excellent. Benito is a genius when it comes to producing quality, top of the line sauces.
2010-11-05 00:34:10
2010-11-11 16:36:56
2010-11-13 04:36:30
2010-11-16 11:55:24
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