When you think Tabasco Sauce, you don't really think of an extensive refining process. Unlike wine or whiskey, you wouldn't think that Tabasco Sauce requires aging. You would be wrong on both accounts. It turns out that Tabasco Sauce takes over three years to make.
The process includes many different stages. First, the peppers are handpicked to ensure they are ripe. Then they are salted and put into a barrel with just the right amount of air. The barrel is sealed, and the barrels go into a warehouse. There, they ferment and age for three years!
When they've fermented long enough, they peppers are taken out and put into large mixing tanks. Vinegar is added and the mixture is churned for about three weeks. The vinegar acts as a natural preservative so that the peppers never actually have to be cooked. Then they go through a two-mill process. The first mill extracts the pepper pulp and the second removes the seeds. So next time you're enjoying hot sauce, take a moment to appreciate the effort that went into making it.