SAUCE QUESTIONS

How is your sauce made? Carolina Pepper Works Dipping Sauces are craft sauces produced in small batches at a locally owned and operated bottling facility in North Carolina. Our sauces are made with fermented pepper puree allowing us to have thicker and more flavorful sauces. Our proprietary combination of spices and fresh ingredients provide a depth of flavor that will keep you coming back for more.

Is your sauce locally sourced?  Our sauces are bottled in North Carolina. Our fermented pepper puree is imported. 

Why do you use fermented peppers and not fresh peppers? Fermentation has been used to preserve foods for thousands of years. “…It is an anaerobic process whereby lactic acid bacteria, mainly Lactobacillus species, convert sugar into lactic acid, which acts as a preservative.” from ‘Food and Nutrition’ Winter 2012, The History and Health Benefits of Fermented Food. Basically, the process takes carbohydrates, water, and nutrients from the peppers and converts them into lactic acid and additional flavor. 

Is there an expiration date? The “best buy” date is marked on the bottle. We have tested up to 18 months and have seen no e.Coli or Botulism problems. Chances are the sauce may be perfectly fine for consumption long after our 18 months as we did not test until we saw a problem, we tested up to 18 months. Unopened bottles can be stored in the pantry or cupboard. Once opened, please refrigerate, and use it within 90 days.

Does your sauce need to be refrigerated? We recommend refrigerating our sauce after opening and shaking it well before use because settling is natural. Although our sauces have a very low pH and are shelf stable, refrigeration greatly slows the growth of disease-causing bacteria pathogens contaminating food.

Are there health benefits from fermented pepper sauce? Fermented pepper sauce provides probiotics, capsaicin, Vitamin C, and Carotene. Probiotics (lactobacillus bacteria) help to break down food and absorb nutrients, as well as assist in the killing of bad bacteria in our guts. Capsaicin causes a rush of endorphins that work as a pain reliever. Capsaicin has been supplied to patients to help reduce arthritis pain. Vitamin C, among other benefits, has been known to reduce blood pressure. Carotene breaks down into Vitamin A, which is a kind of antioxidant.

Yikes, I think it’s too hot, what can I do? The Carolina Pepper Works Garlic Dipping Sauce can be heated with butter yielding a delicious buffalo-style sauce and reducing the spiciness level for those who prefer a milder sauce.

Can I use your dipping sauce as a marinade? Yes, be sure to visit our Recipe + Ideas page.

Can I find this near me? Be sure to check our Find Us Locally page. We’re always working to get our sauces out in the community. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates.

USPS SHIPPING QUESTIONS

How long will it take to receive my Carolina Pepper Works Dipping Sauce? Please allow 24-48 hours for processing. We use USPS for shipping. We are located in the Carolinas, so standard shipping can take 5-10 days, depending on where you live. USPS does offer priority mail which is generally a 2-3 day service. 

What shipping method do you use? All orders will be shipped using USPS (United States Postal Service).

How much does it cost to ship? Shipping costs vary per order. Add some sauce to your cart and you can calculate the shipping based on your quantity, location, and delivery speed.

Will you ship to a P.O. Box? Yes.

Will you ship internationally? In general, shipping to foreign countries has a much higher cost. We can ship to Canada, Mexico, and select countries in Europe.

What happens if my bottle is broken upon receipt? Please snap a photo of the package and the broken bottle(s) with your phone and email it to JimTessier@CarolinaPepperWorks.com. We will review and respond within 24 hours.

RETURN/REFUND QUESTIONS

What is your return or refund policy? We do not accept the return of opened bottles. However, if you are not satisfied with Carolina Pepper Works Dipping Sauces, please let us know, and we will see what we can do to make things right. Please call (919) 244-4554 or email us at JimTessier@CarolinaPepperWorks.com. We will respond within 24 hours.