Is Argentine food a little shy in the spice department? A hot sauce festival is trying to prove otherwise. 

A perfect fix for the peppery nostalgic, Picante is a recently-born Buenos Aires event that is growing hotter featuring the latest offerings from Argentina’s hot sauce producers.

The event was held on April 13 at Dársena Bar in Buenos Aires, where it attracted a dozen hot sauce makers, spice enthusiasts, curious foodies, and homesick expats in one single spot. 

While most Argentine producers acknowledged to the Herald that their sauces aim for flavor rather than fire, a few stood out for their commitment to deliver some serious spiciness.

Chilanga Picantes, for example, surprised the Herald reporters with their small but mighty bottle of ‘Gotas del Poder’. It even packed enough punch to bring tears to one visiting Mexican attendee. 

The sauce is crafted with natural ingredients and capsaicin extract, without preservatives or artificial coloring, offering an authentic and intense burn for seasoned heat-seekers. Chilanga also offers a dozen different types of sauce to accommodate the Argentine taste buds too.

Local brand Picantes Cham’s hot sauce, based on Sriraccha Bombaii and Carolina Reaper, was another hot highlight of the event. 

Ever since its creation, Picante festival has expanded, and its growing popularity hints at a need for something hotter in the city. Because despite Argentina’s culinary pride — its gastronomy being internationally recognized — many international residents still find local flavors on the bland side.

Apart from sauce tastings and live music, the event also organizes workshops on how to grow chili peppers at home and craft small-batch sauces, while also offering an introduction to the complex world of capsicum varieties. A hot sauce haven, Mexico’s traditions were also front and center, with colorful piñatas.

According to the organizers, the success of this festival’s turnout has prompted them to consider a larger venue for a bigger audience to sample their stinging spices next time around.