Why You've Never Tasted Original Sriracha

Most of us are familiar with the well-known Huy Fong Foods brand of sriracha, but it's actually its lesser-known predecessor, Sriraja Panich, that put the sauce on the map.

The original sauce originated in Thailand over 80 years ago with a woman named Thanom Chakkapak, who used a family recipe. Its popularity with locals quickly caught on.

However, it was David Tran, an admirer of the original sauce, who put his own spin on it, bottled the sauce, and launched it under the Huy Fong Foods name.

One of the differentiating features that set Sriraja Panich apart is its intentional balancing of four distinct flavors: sour, sweet, spice, and salt, all at once.