Tobasco Factory on Avery Island
| May 2005 |
Spicin' It Up In Cajun Country
After the Civil War Mr. McIlhenny moved back to his wife's family's
estate on Avery Island - a genuine island located only a few miles
from Lafayette, to continue his salt mining operation.
On the side, he grew South American Tabasco (which means
land of the hot and humid) Peppers and began experimenting
with a mixture of the island's salt, his peppers and vinegar. By
1870, his hot sauce developed such a huge local following he
decided to mass market it.
Today Mr. McIlhenny's famous hot sauce is sold in 105 countries
and the labels are printed in 22 different languages.
Though there are now a whole assortment of Tabasco products
(all of which you can buy at the Country Store pictured to the left)
the recipe used to produce the original Tabasco Pepper Sauce
remains identical to the one Mr. McIlhenny developed over 130
years ago.
After the Civil War Mr. McIlhenny moved back to his wife's family's
estate on Avery Island - a genuine island located only a few miles
from Lafayette, to continue his salt mining operation.
On the side, he grew South American Tabasco (which means
land of the hot and humid) Peppers and began experimenting
with a mixture of the island's salt, his peppers and vinegar. By
1870, his hot sauce developed such a huge local following he
decided to mass market it.
Today Mr. McIlhenny's famous hot sauce is sold in 105 countries
and the labels are printed in 22 different languages.
Though there are now a whole assortment of Tabasco products
(all of which you can buy at the Country Store pictured to the left)
the recipe used to produce the original Tabasco Pepper Sauce
remains identical to the one Mr. McIlhenny developed over 130
years ago.
Jalepeno Ice Cream?
Only in America and only in Louisiana...no
we didn't partake, but we did managed to
taste a few of the new products Tabasco
offers and even found a Christmas ornament
in the shape of a Tabasco bottle to add to our
growing collection of Noel-trinkets.
Only in America and only in Louisiana...no
we didn't partake, but we did managed to
taste a few of the new products Tabasco
offers and even found a Christmas ornament
in the shape of a Tabasco bottle to add to our
growing collection of Noel-trinkets.
The Factory
This huge brick structure is still the only place in the
world where Tabasco is made.
This huge brick structure is still the only place in the
world where Tabasco is made.
Factory Floor
Normally, this room is teeming with
activity, but we visited on a Sunday
morning. What was perhaps most striking
was just how impeccably clean the place
was. There wasn't a spec of dust, let
alone a drop of pepper juice in sight!
Normally, this room is teeming with
activity, but we visited on a Sunday
morning. What was perhaps most striking
was just how impeccably clean the place
was. There wasn't a spec of dust, let
alone a drop of pepper juice in sight!
Fire Fish
Even the official "Tabasco Fish" can't take
the heat without bursting into flame.
Even the official "Tabasco Fish" can't take
the heat without bursting into flame.
Journeys
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Tabasco Factory on Avery Island
| May 2005 |