Very interesting history of the family that started tabasco sauce. Msieu ned modernized operations of his familys business which had been producing tabasco sauce since 1869. Tabasco sauce got its start after the civil war, when edmund mcilhenny of avery island, louisiana, began fermenting his red pepper plants in order to make a. By then tabasco had begun to achieve international renown, thanks to the marketing efforts of edmunds enterprising sons john and ned.
The family legend says edmund mcilhenny discovered some tabasco chili. Tabasco sauce is the perfect solution whenever flavors need a lift. The authoritative cookbook on tabasco sauce from previous mcilhenny company ceo paul mcilhenny, featuring 80 recipes with your favorite pepper sauce in a newly revised edition. After the civil war, edmund mcilhenny, a banker whose industry had been. In 1868, edmund mcilhenny mixed up his own personal pepper sauce recipe with three natural ingredients. Twenty years later, his production 41,472 bottles indicates tabasco, originally called petite anse sauce, was taking off. According to family tradition, tabasco brand original red sauce was created in the mid to late 1860s by edmund mcilhenny. Mcilhenny company author of from the land of tabasco sauce.
To this day, the company is still familyowned and operated on that very same island. He found his fortune by going into the banking business. An illustrated history is the first and only book about the mcilhenny family and company based on previously untapped documents in the mcilhenny company archives. Edmund mcilhenny was given seeds of capsicum frutescens peppers that came from mexico or central america, and he first planted them on avery island, louisiana, over 140 years ago. By the time of the war between the states, he was a successful banker.
Edmund mcilhenny was an american businessman and manufacturer who founded the mcilhenny company, which was the first to mass produce tabasco sauce. Tabasco sauce was born in 1868 on avery island, a salt dome island near the coast of louisiana. Aug 31, 2014 by then tabasco had begun to achieve international renown, thanks to the marketing efforts of edmunds enterprising sons john and ned. So edmund mcilhenny decided to create a pepper sauce to give the food some flavor and excitement.
Edmund mcilhenny decided he could make a pepper sauce as good as marshs pepper sauce. After the civil war ended, edmund mcilhenny, an ambitious and tenacious louisiana. Mcilhenny family lore says that the seeds for the spicy peppers edmund mcilhenny used to make his pepper sauce were acquired from a fellow traveler he had met on a business trip to new orleans a few years before. It was here that he developed the recipe for tabascooriginal red pepper sauce thats been passed down from generation to generation. Mcilhenny forging a long family line that still runs the mcilhenny co. In this fascinating history, jeffrey rothfeder tells how, from a simple ideathe outgrowth of a handful of peppers planted on an isolated island on the gulf of mexicoa secretive family business emerged that would produce one of the bestknown products in the world. Holbrooks military school in sing sing now ossining, new york. The greatgrandson of edmund mcilhenny, who invented tabasco sauce after the civil war, paul carr polk mcilhenny was born in houston. Some people in the chilihead community bash tabasco sauce because of its vinegary flavor and its low level of heat compared to other hot sauces on the market, but i personally have a huge amount of respect for the tabasco brand and mcilhenny company, as theyve been around since 1868 on avery island, louisiana, founded by edmund mcilhenny. Edward avery ned mcilhenny 18721949 find a grave memorial. The names mcilhenny as in the sauces inventor, edmund mcilhenny and avery judge avery, mcilhennys fatherinlaw are on every bottle, belying the stalwart ties every bottle has to the bayou country from which it comes. Our desperate battle over water has previously tackled such subjects as arrhythmia and the unstable future of freshwater resources. Beginning with edmund mcilhennys original handwritten recipe for tabasco brand original red sauce circa 1868, moving through the wildly adventurous lives of his descendants, and finishing with the infiltration of tabasco into pop culture, its all here.
Edward avery mcilhenny march 29, 1872 august 8, 1949, son of tabasco brand pepper sauce tycoon edmund mcilhenny, was an american businessman, explorer, bird bander and conservationist. A delectable and satisfying read for both tabasco fans and business buffs, mcilhennys gold is. The mcilhenny company has hired an expert to undertake historical detective work to separate fact from fiction about the products origin and development. To distribute his, edmund mcilhenny initially obtained unused cologne bottles from a new orleans glass supplier. Tabasco sauce got its start after the civil war, when edmund mcilhenny of avery island, louisiana, began fermenting his red pepper plants in order to make a spicy sauce. Jun 17, 2014 though tabasco has stayed true to mcilhennys same chili pepperbased hot sauce recipe, the iconic label has, in recent years, added more to the companys repertoire in order to cater to. A new factory tour on avery island shows how the sauce is made. Though tabasco has stayed true to mcilhennys same chili pepperbased hot sauce recipe, the iconic label has, in recent years, added. Now, paul mcilhenny unbottles the authoritative cookbook on this very special sauce. However, as jeffrey rothfeders book mcilhennys gold points out, some of the mcilhenny companys official history is disputed. Avery island is also the home of tabasco brand pepper sauce, which edmund s great grandfather invented in 1868.
Tabasco is a brand of hot sauce made from tabasco peppers capsicum frutescens var. Mcilhennys son following the death of founder edmund mcilhenny in 1890. Edmund mcilhenny decided he could make a pepper sauce as good as. Paul mcilhenny, an ebullient executive who for 14 years led the familyowned company that makes tabasco sauce and who reigned as rex in 2006, died saturday at his new orleans home, apparently of a. He established a private wildlife refuge around his family estate on avery island and helped in preserving a large coastal marshland in louisiana as a bird. Uncertainty surrounds the concoction by edmund mcilhenny of tabasco sauce a condiment now produced, and marketed internationally, by his descendants. Along with the companies various tabasco sauce flavours, mcilhenny also offers a variety of tabasco merchandise including. Aug 09, 2012 the founder of tabasco sauce was edmund mcilhenny 18151890 who was a new orleans banker. Internet explorer versions 11 and older are no longer officially supported by this website.
What you never knew about tabasco sauce smithsonian. While company legend attributes the invention of the sauce to mcilhenny, plantation owner maunsel white is believed to have been the first to cultivate and make a sauce from tabasco peppers in the united states, and gave the recipe and pepper pods to his friend mcilhenny. Oct 12, 2009 your receipe and article states that, like tabasco, you start with green chili peppers. Shop tabasco products online tabasco country store. What i didnt like about the book was the excessive flowery language throughout. Edmund mcilhenny first produced tabasco sauce in 1868 on avery island, louisiana. Feb 24, 20 paul mcilhenny, an ebullient executive who for 14 years led the familyowned company that makes tabasco sauce and who reigned as rex in 2006, died saturday at his new orleans home, apparently of a. For best compatibility, please use one of the following. Apr 02, 2012 language english tags avery island, pam mcilhenny, edmund mcilhenny, louisiana, nature, photography, egret, tabasco. Learn the history, taste the spice of tabasco at new facilities on avery island. Edmond mcilhenny was a financial lender who bought the island from elizabeth triett saved some seed from imported mexican tabasco peppers and began growing peppers on the island. Mcilhennys gold mcilhennys gold audiobook, by jeffrey rothfeder. Tabasco original red pepper sauce is made with three simple ingredients and aged in oak barrels for up to three years. It was toward the start of that oyster heyday that edmund mcilhenny resolved, around age fiftythree, to abandon his previous, decadeslong career as a new orleans banker to become a pepper sauce manufacturer.
In 1850s he was given some dried peppers that were acquired in mexico during the mexican american war. Made from sweet chilis, thai spices, and red peppers from avery island. Tabasco original red pepper sauce is made with three simple ingredients and aged in oak barrels for up to three years on avery island, louisiana, before bottling. The traditional story goes that tabasco sauce was created by edmund mcilhenny. Mcilhenny joined mcilhenny company in 1967 and served as ceo and chairman of the board from 2000 through 20. A soldier gave them to him and said to try them in his food. Additionally, the process remains pretty much the same, of course, the facilities have undergone modernization throughout the years. He also introduced several exotic plants into jungle gardens, his private wildlife garden. Decades of competing recipes have only confirmed that the flavor of mcilhennys recipe could not be surpassed, and today tabasco original red. Whether you ask for it by name at restaurants or are one of the legions of people who travel with your own bottle, you know theres no substitute for giving eggs, oysters, and bloody marys a kick. Bhut jolokia, the worlds hottest pepper, according to the guinness book of world records. So dont just reach for the tabasco sauce when youre thinking hot. Born in 1872 at avery island, louisiana, mcilhenny was educated by private tutors before attending dr. Feb 25, 20 the greatgrandson of edmund mcilhenny, who invented tabasco sauce after the civil war, paul carr polk mcilhenny was born in houston on march 19, 1944, with his twin sister, sara.
And it was this mcilhenny who invented tabasco sauce. The island is covered with lush subtropical flora and venerable live oaks draped with wild muscadine and swags of barbe espagnole, or. Aug 22, 2019 tabasco is a brand of hot sauce that is made and produced by mcilhenny company of avery island, louisiana. Jan 27, 2020 some people in the chilihead community bash tabasco sauce because of its vinegary flavor and its low level of heat compared to other hot sauces on the market, but i personally have a huge amount of respect for the tabasco brand and mcilhenny company, as theyve been around since 1868 on avery island, louisiana, founded by edmund mcilhenny. Paul mcilhenny was a fourthgeneration family member to produce tabasco sauce. While company legend attributes the invention of the sauce to mcilhenny, plantation owner maunsel white is believed to have been the first to. In his research of the mcilhenny family, rothfeder found that much of what has come to be accepted about the familys history and the origin of tabasco sauce is simply untrue. A food lover and avid gardener, mcilhenny was given seeds of capsicum frutescens peppers that had come from mexico or central america. The surprisingly interesting history and production of tabasco. Mcilhenny collection of natural history books at the louisiana state university libraries is named in his honor. Nov 20, 2015 the history, culture and legacy of the mcilhenny family is infused in each bottle of spicy red pepper sauce known as tabasco.
In a 5quart dutch oven or heavy saucepan, heat the oil over mediumhigh heat. Paul mcilhenny, ceo of the company that makes tabasco. Wield your sauce like a pro with our collection of expertly crafted tabasco appetizers, entrees, desserts, dips and more. This chronicle examines the origin of tabasco sauce, from its postcivil war creation on avery island, louisiana, to its evolution into the gold standard of pepper sauces and a global culinary icon. The recipe originating from edmund mcilhenny in 1868 has been used by the mcilhenny family for nearly 150 years. The first bottle of tabasco sauce was produced in 1868 by edmund mcilhenny. Your receipe and article states that, like tabasco, you start with green chili peppers. Edward avery ned mcilhenny 1872 1949, son of tabasco brand pepper sauce inventor edmund mcilhenny, was a louisiana businessman, explorer, and conservationist. Avery island by pam and edmund mcilhenny blurb books.
Back in the 1860s, edmund mcilhenny was a prosperous. The history, culture and legacy of the mcilhenny family is infused in each bottle of spicy red pepper sauce known as tabasco. Former bloomberg news editor rothfeder every drop for sale. Edmund mcilhenny had died 10 years before, never suspecting. How to make your own homemade fermented tabasco sauce. In three batches, brown the beef well, removing each batch with a slotted spoon. Oct 23, 20 the mcilhenny company and just over 200 employees make tabasco on avery island, louisiana.
Made without artificial preservatives or gluten, this sauce goes great with all types of foods and is a staple item for spice lovers everywhere. The mcilhenny company and just over 200 employees make tabasco on avery island, louisiana. Mcilhenny company is the author of from the land of tabasco sauce 4. Tabasco sauce was dreamed up by edmund mcilhenny, an avery clan member by marriage, who moved to the area after losing everything in the civil war.
Story of tabasco a spicy history with a sustainable twist. The names mcilhenny as in the sauce s inventor, edmund mcilhenny and avery judge avery, mcilhenny s fatherinlaw are on every bottle, belying the stalwart ties every bottle has to the bayou country from which it comes. From its majestic jungle gardens to mcilhennys famous pepper sauce factory, experience all the sights, smells and sounds of the birthplace of flavor. According to company legend, tabasco was first produced in 1868 by edmund mcilhenny, a maryland born former banker who moved to louisiana around 1840. The big tabasco bottles in the lobby are favorites for taking photos at the factory. Tabasco is a brand of hot sauce that is made and produced by mcilhenny company of avery island, louisiana.
Marsh had died and left no recipe a few years back. Mcilhenny is sometimes blamed for the introduction of exotic coypu, also known as nutria. The founder of tabasco sauce was edmund mcilhenny 18151890 who was a new orleans banker. Ned mcilhenny renamed it the mcilhenny company, the moniker it bears today, incorporating it in 1907 in maine. He established a private wildlife refuge around his family estate on avery island and helped in preserving a large coastal marshland in louisiana as a bird refuge. Tabasco brand products are made by mcilhenny company, founded by edmund mcilhenny in 1868 on avery island, louisiana. So many myths surround the family and its product, in fact, that even family members have found it difficult to separate fact from fiction.
Tabascobrand products are made by mcilhenny company, founded by edmund mcilhenny in 1868 on avery island, louisiana. Louisianas home to the worlds favorite hot sauce gonomad. What you never knew about tabasco sauce smithsonian magazine. Because the island remains family owned, we have had the opportunity to photograph wildlife and some of the most beautiful parts of the island over the years. Mcilhenny was from maryland originally, but he moved to new orleans, louisiana to seek his fortune in about 1840.
Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes, or until tender. As with all folklore the actual facts are a bit fuzzy, but what we know for certain is one broke lawyer, some pepper, salt and vinegar and discarded old cologne bottles launched a family business and created a famous. After the civil war ended, edmund mcilhenny, an ambitious and tenacious louisiana businessman, found himself with few prospects. This chronicle examines the origin of tabasco sauce, from its postcivil war creation on avery island, louisiana, to its evolution into the gold standard of pepper. Tabasco hot sauce produced in avery island, louisiana. Ever since edmund mcilhenny introduced his soontobefamous pepper sauce in 1868, raw oysters and bloody marys have depended on that definitive dash to make them complete. Mcilhenny also brought aboard his sons rough rider john a. Edward avery mcilhenny, son of tabasco brand pepper sauce tycoon edmund mcilhenny, was an american businessman, explorer, bird bander and conservationist. Paul mcilhenny, ceo of the company that makes tabasco sauce. The tabasco sauce is so famous that it can be found on restaurant tables around the world and is known to be the most preferred pepper sauce globally.
980 1357 24 963 1116 410 560 1535 783 977 29 272 814 1507 992 596 1353 214 292 16 1040 470 1493 190 737 1602 1138 731 1416 724 666 468 235 136 106 1034 1088 333 259 1250 1300 178 315 1380 1213 1051 827