Brand Focus: Tex-As Salsa

New Zealand is all about buying local, supporting small businesses, and helping each other recover from the coronavirus economic downturn. The New Zealand Made Products Facebook group has nearly half a million followers - that’s 10% of the population - within weeks of starting. One of the small businesses I found from this group was the North American Kiwi Company and their Tex-As salsa. I ordered three jars: a mild/medium verde, a mild roja, and a hot-as roja. The term “hot as” is a nod towards Kiwi slang and that phrase “sweet as” which means something is very satisfactory or excellent.

The jars are $12 a piece and sent from Palmerston North. Kari, the ex-Texan behind the operation, split shipping costs with customers as a way to drum up business after the lockdown, so my portion of the shipping was $5. That adds up to NZ$41, or US$26. It’s not cheap salsa, but it is made with all locally sourced ingredients (with the exception of tomatillos which aren’t a New Zealand thing.) And if you’re in Auckland, Tex-As Salsas is now stocked at Low N Slow BBQ Supplies for a quick pick up.

We tried the salsas in two batches. The first night was taco night where we tried both the mild and hot versions. The mild version was still sweeter than the Texas salsas I’m used to, but the hot was just right. Not too spicy, though probably burning hot to your average Kiwi. Both were slightly on the vinegar-y side, but when added to all of the flavors in our tacos, it was solid.

The real surprise was the verde. I used the entire jar as part of some verde chicken enchiladas, and this stuff was AMAZING. Super fresh, great flavor, and the perfect addition to our dinner. This one was the standout of the bunch, and honestly we’re not big salsa verde people. When I place another order, this is the one I’ll stock up on.