Stuzzi Hot Sauce Launch

Making its official debut in the US, Stuzzi is the hot sauce made by and for people who know good food. Created by wine- and tequila-makers, Carla and Richard Betts, and acclaimed chefs, Ethel Hoon and Jakob Zeller, Stuzzi is intentionally crafted to enhance as many cuisines as possible, building off a dream and a beloved pepper variety.

Nearly a decade ago, Carla and Richard fell in love with the aroma and taste of a rare Italian dried pepper. During a road trip across the Alps in 2020, they stopped in Austria for a meal prepared by chefs Ethel and Jakob of Restaurant Klösterle, where after a few drinks and many exceptional dishes, the four discovered their mutual love of good food and decided to conceive a hot sauce that would elevate the flavors of any dish it accompanies, regardless of cuisine. They traveled through southern Italy to find the farmer responsible for that singular dried pepper, which now forms the base for Stuzzi, along with a proprietary blend of fresh peppers.

Made in Italy, Stuzzi is the apogee of three thoughtfully chosen ingredients - chilies, distilled vinegar, and a dash of salt.

No added preservatives, thickening agents, sweeteners or artificial colors. Committed to quality and authenticity, Stuzzi follows the core principles of Italian cooking: select the best ingredients possible and let them shine.

Stuzzi is short for the Italian word stuzzicare [stut:si'kare], which means "to stimulate, to excite, to tease" and the brand lives up to its name - a hot sauce that actually tastes good; bold, savory, and complex.

"We love spice! Coming from Singapore, where most dishes are served with a spicy condiment of some sort, I really appreciate how the right amount of heat can add another dimension to a dish," says co-founder Ethel Hoon. "We saw a gap in the type of sauces in the market, so we created Stuzzi with a clear vision - to create a hot sauce that is not only 'honest' (no added preservatives, colorings, or flavoring agents), but one that is truly focused on flavor."

"Whether it be from the kitchen or serving people in the front of house with wine service, the four of us have built our lives out of making the perfect bite and sharing it with people," adds co-founder Carla Betts. "We care enormously about where the raw ingredients come from, how to best honor them, and making it great for whoever is enjoying it; that is Stuzzi's DNA."

Stuzzi adds heat, depth, character, and a touch of excitement to every bite. Stuzzi elevates good food rather than covering it up. Simply put, Stuzzi is hot sauce in its most perfect form.

Expanding to the portfolio in Q3 2026 and complementing the Originale sku are two new variants to the market:

Stuzzi Mezzanotte

Deep, aromatic, and complex. Mild Heat. A blackened interpretation of the Originale, made with the same fresh and dried chilies (plus cascabels), slowly blackened to bring out notes reminiscent of roasted peppers, mole, and chocolate. Mezzanotte is less concerned about straight-up heat and more interested in compelling aromatic depth. It will add elegance and complexity to any dish.

Stuzzi Extra Piccante

So you've fallen in love with the Originale and want that same depth of flavor with even more heat? Extra Piccante is it. Extra Spicy.

However, we didn't just dial up the spice without building the appropriate complexity and body to support it. Extra Piccante is a bigger sauce overall. Built on the same foundation of organically farmed Italian chilies, vinegar, and Sicilian sea salt, Extra Piccante is for those who like it hot.

Stuzzi is currently available online and through various retail partners including Bristol Farms, Central Market, Earth Fare, Gelsons, Lassen's, Metropolitan Market, Mother's Market, and Nugget Market.