Written by Captain G
The famous Tabasco Factory and Museum are in a quiet corner of Louisiana on a 2,200-acre island named Avery Island. The island is on the top of a salt dome that some geologists claim is deeper than Mt Everest is tall.
I grew up in the part of the country where the spiciest thing on the kitchen table was ground black pepper in a cardboard cylinder from the local grocery store. It wasn’t until years later, at the age of 17, that I joined the US Navy and headed to Chicago for boot camp. That is my first memory of any hot sauce.
There it was, on the galley table in that iconic bottle. Recruits were snatching the bottle as fast as possible to splash on their blue scrambled eggs at breakfast. If you’re curious about the “blue” eggs, ask any sailor who served during the early 90s, and they’ll know. From there, I can’t remember many tables not having sauces nearby. Without it, I wouldn’t think of enjoying oysters, bloody marys, or pizza.
I recently traveled through Louisiana to Avery Island to visit the factory and museum. My first impression was how well the property calmly looked with fresh, manicured grounds. My second feeling was that this land has strong family ties with everyone working there—five generations, to be exact. Like most visitors, I read up on the company before arriving and decided to take a self-guided tour. (Here’s a personal disclaimer* Even though I sail across oceans, I still get lost walking across the street in traffic.) But Tabasco has a great tour that kept me from getting lost. Each stop is numbered with great details at each location. The peppers are grown, harvested, and barreled there on-site. Salt is used on top of the barrels in the process. Trust me on this part: if you have a keen sense of smell, prepare yourself before walking by a few of the many warehouses. That pepper will light you up and tickle your sinuses.
It’s easy to spend the better part of a day exploring the property. After my tour, I walked through the gift shop and grabbed a few items for the kitchen. Knowing that I still had a long drive ahead of me, I didn’t let the opportunity of eating at the Tabasco restaurant slip by. My only regret was I didn’t come fully prepared and wasn’t wearing my “eating pants.” Don’t act like you don’t know what eating pants are!
Louisiana has much to offer in terms of culinary experiences, from soft-shelled crabs to boudin and jambalaya. Just be careful and don’t let the rougarou get you if you say out too late! For great Tabasco® recipes go to Tabasco.com
To get ideas on visiting Louisiana click here.
Captain G is a licensed Merchant Mariner who has sailed over 10k nautical miles. His early career took him to Iceland, Italy, and the Caribbean. Like most sailors, his hobbies include damn near anything around the water, cheap rum, and breaking tools. As a self-proclaimed foodie, Captain G plans to eat around the globe after retirement.
Aquatramp 