Award-Winning Hot Sauces at Kensington Farmers Market

A veteran of the food business for more than 50 years, Alan Kuzminsky knows his hot sauces.

Kuzminsky is the man behind Infusion Hot Sauce, an award-winning brand of unique vinegar-infused pepper sauces and regular vendor at the Kensington Farmers Market. It’s important to note the term “cicada” used to name several of his sauces is a homage to the first time the loud, chirpy insects emerge from a dormant period  – and not an ingredient.

The unique flavor comes from a special acidification process Kuzminsky developed that infuses vinegar and fresh chili pepper. He said he discovered his knack when a friend gave him some extra chilies and Kuzminsky created a pepper sauce in tribute to a bartender’s pepper sauce at Crisfields, a seafood restaurant in Silver Spring.

During the summer time, Kuzminsky began to yield 10-gallon batches in his backyard. During the holidays, he would give them as presents.

In 2004, Alan Kuzminsky placed second in the International Chile Society Cook Off for his red eye cicada sauce. A couple of years later, he said he started the Infusion Hot Sauce company.

He currently sells four different types of sauces that contain three different chilies:

• Dragon Fire, $7: Has jalapenos, Serrano, and passilla.
• Fire Power, $7: Consists of jalapenos, red fresnos, and orange habanero.
• Hyper Nova, $7: Has red Caribbean, orange habanero, and Hungarian wax.
• Mango Bango, $10: Consists of yellow Scotch bonnet, yellow Trinidad seasoning, and Bhujolokia.

At $9 a piece, Kuzminsky also sells two rubs, one being Doctor Dread’s jerk rub -- a good choice for fish, meats, and vegetables. Mister Pig Pork rub is designed specifically for pork.

Kuzminsky also sells a gift box that contains a bottle of Fire Power, Dragon Fire, and Hyper Nova for $20. He said the box won the Scovie award from the Firery Foods People in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

For more information or to order some hot sauce, visit infusionhotsauce.com. About 20 percent of all retail sales will go toward the National Multiple Sclerosis Soceity. Use the coupon code “MSSucks” to receive free shipping.