La Costena Out to Prove ‘The Spice is Right’

As part of its mission to teach time-pressed families how to add zest to their daily meals, La Costena has embarked on The Spice is Right Tour, which the San Antonio-based company bills as “an entertaining, educational and recipe-tasting experience.” The tour is making stops at some of the country’s most popular family festivals, including the Oxnard Salsa Festival in Los Angeles, the Fiesta del Sol in San Diego, the Peachtree Latino Festival in Atlanta, and the Viva! Chicago Latino Music Festival.

At each stop, La Costena’s Spice is Right chefs will demonstrate affordable and simple ways to satisfy everyone’s spice needs by choosing the appropriate pepper, salsa or bean.

“People always ask us which spice is right for them and their family’s individual preferences,” noted Chef Steven Henao. “For example, they want to know the difference between Jalapeno, Serrano and Chipotle peppers, or Taquera and Ranchera salsas, and which option to use in what type of food. That’s why the role of the Spice is Right chefs is to educate people on how to achieve the flavorful spice level just right for them and their family. We’ll also show busy consumers how easy it is to spice up the ordinary.”

The tour additionally features recipe samplings, games, contests and prizes, including $100 awarded at each stop to the person whose taste buds can best endure the “spicy sport” of speed-eating whole jalapenos for one minute. A Chicago man who ate 22 whole La Costena pickled jalapenos in 2009 currently holds the record.

Additionally, consumers can access cooking videos highlighting easy meal solutions and a downloadable Spice is Right reference guide showing the spice levels of different types of peppers, salsas, beans and sauces, at www.LaCostenaUSA.com.

La Costena is the manufacturer of the United States’ No. 1-selling jalapeno product.