Ají Merkén

[Mosca]

Ají Merkén (also Merquen) is a Chilean pepper spice blend, sold either as a powder or a sauce, that is absolutely unique. It is made from smoked ají chuco de cabro (goats horn peppers) and coriander. It’s bright and flavor-forward; it’s going to insist upon itself in whatever you add it to! So, add it to things that you want to be smoky and peppery.

I haven’t used the spice blend. As a sauce, it’s about as hot as a typical taqueria sauce, like Tapatio, Cholula, etc., but aji peppers are brighter than Tabasco peppers and serranos and jalapeños. Think mild habaneros. Then consider that they are smoked. When I say “it insists upon itself”, think of what ketchup does, and how it works some places (burgers) but not others (steak). I’ve been using it on burgers and eggs, which is where I’d usually use ketchup… but it would work on hot dogs, too, seeing as how it’s, well, not ketchup.

[yakima]

Since you seem to have a nose (or palette) for hot stuff, check out The Mala Market, if you haven't already. Nashville. Mainly Chinese products.

[yakima]

My impression is that "aji", at least with reference to marin, means "tastes like" marin. Close, but not identical.

[Mosca]

Ají means pepper in South America. Then you have ají amarillo, ají colorado, etc. But it’s generic; ají sauce is like saying “pepper sauce”, or “pickled peppers” instead of pickled jalapeños. But then you say ají amarillo and you mean a specific pepper. Ají merkén is like chipotle; “smoked jalapeños in adobo”. Ají merkén sauce is smoked chuco de cabro peppers as a sauce.

But it’s all over the place, a lot depends on context and everyone knowing what everyone else means. Clear as mud.

[yakima]

I hope there is not a test.