Picante vs Salsa – Differences:
Picante
Picante sauce is a type of hot sauce. The Spanish word “picante,” refers to the sensation you get in your mouth when you eat spicy food.
Some brands of hot sauces include:
Louisiana Hot Sauce
It has the perfect amount of heat, it’s creamy smooth, and is produced in the United States, in the state of Louisiana.
This sauce contains only 3 ingredients:
- salt;
- vinegar;
- aged peppers.
Pace Medium Picante Sauce
Chunks of savory onions, tomatoes, and hand-picked jalapenos are smoothly blended together for a remarkable taste.
Texas Pete Hot Sauce
It has a Scoville heat level of 3,000-3,500. This hot sauce is perfect for any cuisine which begs for an added kick, like – fried chicken, wings, or barbecue.
Ingredients:
- benzoate of soda (to preserve flavor and freshness);
- xanthan gum;
- natural flavor,
- water;
- aged peppers (peppers, salt, vinegar);
- vinegar.
Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
The sauce has a runny thin texture, therefore, be sure to shake it before using it. Also, it is orange-ish red with black speckles throughout.
Ingredients:
- garlic powder;
- salt;
- water;
- vinegar;
- aged cayenne red peppers.
Cholula Hot Sauce
Cholula’s unique aroma and flavor make it the perfect complement for everything from steak to seafood and soup to salad.
Ingredients:
- xanthan gum;
- spices;
- vinegar;
- salt;
- peppers (arbol and piquin);
- water.
Health Benefits
Weight Loss
These sauces contain capsaicin, an antioxidant that can help you burn more calories efficiently as it temporarily increases your metabolic rate. This, ultimately, leads to weight loss, making it effective for weight loss and weight management.
May Help With Depression
This is because every time you eat something hot, your body releases endorphins – the natural happy drug which your body produces. This is good news since an estimated 17 million American adults had at least one major depressive episode in 2017.
Endorphins are also natural stress and pain relievers as well as the source of that “runner’s high” that many people experience after a physical exercise session, especially marathons.
Vitamin C
Hot sauce is mainly made from chile peppers, along with other seasonings and spices, and chile peppers have very high levels of vitamin C. Actually, one ounce of sliced peppers contains around 40 mg of vitamin C, which is approximately 67% of the daily recommended intake.
Vitamin C is connected to the development of connective tissue, a fast metabolism, immune function, biosynthesis of neurotransmitters, non-heme iron absorption, and wound healing.
Other benefits of hot sauces include:
- heart disease prevention;
- alleviating nasal congestion;
- antioxidant boosting;
- headache prevention;
- acting as a detox agent;
- allergy relief;
- relieving joint pain;
- blood clot prevention;
- healthy blood pressure promotion;
- balancing cholesterol.
READ MORE: 7 Famous People With Misophonia
Side Effects
Generally, hot sauces are healthy, however, some contain too much salt. Although sodium (the main mineral in table salt) is required to sustain human life, a high intake can have negative health side effects.
According to studies, the more sodium you consume, the higher your blood pressure becomes. This occurs due to the fact that when you consume too much sodium, the body starts to retain water.
High sodium intake may increase the growth of H. pylori. This may increase the risk of stomach cancer, the 3rd leading cause of cancer death worldwide.
Furthermore, excessive levels of salt in the diet can, over time, substantially increase your risk of osteoporosis, a bone disease that affects over 200 million women worldwide.
Salsa
It is one of the best ways to add more flavor to your food while also delivering vital nutrients. According to some sales reports, in the United States, salsa has become a more popular condiment than ketchup.
Salsa means “sauce” in Italian and Spanish, however, most people associate it with spicy Mexican sauce.
Capsaicin is the name of the main ingredient present in hot chili peppers. This antioxidant is the reason why chili peppers are so healthy, however, it is also responsible for that burning feeling in your tongue and lips.
Some brands of salsa sauce include:
Amy’s Salsa
It has no preservatives, no trans fat, and best of all, it comes in medium, mild, and corn and black bean to please every palate.
Green Mountain Gringo Salsa
It has been recognized by a few independent organizations for its fresh flavor. It comes in a few types, such as:
- Mild – it delivers the savory taste of fresh veggies – without too much heat;
- Medium – it is a perfect balance of moderate heat and fresh flavor;
- Hot – it is chock full of jalapenos to satisfy the people who like it hot.
Ingredients:
- Spices;
- Sea salt;
- Ripe tomatoes;
- Fresh garlic;
- Fresh parsley;
- Apple cider vinegar;
- Fresh cilantro;
- Fresh jalapeño peppers;
- Fresh pasilla peppers;
- Fresh tomatillos;
- Fresh onions.
Tostitos Chunky Salsa
This sauce packs medium heat, and the bites of onion and pepper bring a big flavor without tasting like any other salsa sauce.
Ingredients:
- Natural Flavor;
- Tomato Puree (Water and Tomato Paste);
- Garlic Powder;
- Salt;
- Vinegar;
- Onions;
- Jalapeno Peppers;
- Diced Tomatoes in Tomato Juice.
Frontera Salsa Mexicana
Ingredients:
- Spices;
- Tomatoes (Tomatoes, Tomato Juice);
- Apple Cider Vinegar;
- Roasted Tomatoes;
- Salt;
- Cilantro;
- Filtered Water;
- Tomato Paste;
- Garlic;
- Jalapeno Peppers;
- Onions.
Rojo’s Fire-Roasted Medium Salsa
Ingredients:
- Apple Cider Vinegar;
- Roasted Tomatoes (Tomatoes, Tomato Juice);
- Sodium Benzoate (Added To Maintain Freshness);
- Tomato Puree (Water, Tomato Paste);
- Potassium Sorbate;
- Caramel Color;
- Onions;
- Natural Flavors;
- Jalapeno Pepper;
- Xanthan Gum;
- Roasted Onion;
- Sugar;
- Cilantro;
- Garlic Powder;
- Salt;
- Garlic;
- Spices;
- Soybean Oil;
- Citric Acid;
- Chipotle Pepper;
- Vinegar.
READ MORE: IdealShape vs Isagenix
Health Benefits
Lutein & Zeaxanthin
Chipotle pepper, an ingredient in many salsas, is a type of smoked jalapeño which includes phytonutrients zeaxanthin and lutein, two potent fat-soluble antioxidant nutrients.
In the body, zeaxanthin and lutein are found in the tissues of the eye, as well as in the skin, blood, cervix, breast, brain, and adipose tissue. Both antioxidants protect your eyes from harmful high-energy light waves such as ultraviolet rays in sunlight.
It Will Help You Burn Fat
The jalapenos frequently found in fresh salsa get their spice from an antioxidant that can increase the body’s fat-burning capacity, called capsaicin.
Prevent Cancer
Capsaicin has been shown to suppress the growth of cancer cells, according to a 2017 study published in the American Cancer Society.
Bottom Line – Picante vs Salsa
In conclusion, both terms are typically used interchangeably in English, however, they are not synonymous, since Picante sauce has one distinguishing characteristic which sets it apart – its intense heat.
READ THIS NEXT: Famous People With Polydactyly
References https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3577155/ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227965715_A_hot_new_way_t https://study.com/academy/answer/how-do-you-say-hot-sauce-in-spanish.html