Released in 2022 by Jade City Foods, Varan the Unbelievable hot sauce is yet another addition to the growing collection of Godzilla-themed sauces. Advertised as a mango habanero hot sauce, it offers a distinct flavor and heat profile that sets it apart. Given the expanding line of sauces, I expected the flavors to start blending together, but fortunately, that hasn’t been the case. In this review, we’ll explore Varan’s hot sauce, from its heat level to its overall flavor and ingredients.

Heat

Varan’s hot sauce carries a heat rating of 6/10, though technically 6/11 since some of these hot sauces “break past” the scale.  Now I was expecting a relatively mild heat, but to my surprise, the sauce turned out to be much hotter than anticipated. It reaches that perfect balance of heat: not too overpowering, yet noticeable enough to elevate your dish.

What’s particularly interesting about the heat is its slow burn; the flavor hits your palate first, and then the heat follows a few seconds later. I believe this heat level will be a crowd-pleaser, as it strikes a great balance between flavor and spice without scaring off those who are sensitive to heat.

Taste: Shake it Up

Before tasting, I made sure to give the bottle a good shake, as the sauce had a more noticeable liquid layer on top, something I’ve learned to expect from certain hot sauces. Even after shaking, I found that it remained somewhat watery, so it’s important to be cautious about pouring too much at once on your food, as I did that on a few occasions.

On the flavor front, I was genuinely impressed. The mango flavor stands out immediately, providing a mildly sweet base that complements the heat from the habanero peppers. This sweetness wasn’t overpowering though; it balanced nicely with the heat and other ingredients. I tested the sauce on a few different items: a tortilla chip, some shredded chicken, and a chicken dish that included salsa.

Each time, the sauce held its own and added a nice burst of flavor. In fact, I found the sauce so enjoyable that I ended up using a significant portion of it during just one dinner (…I went through about a third of the bottle while sharing with my wife). It’s a sauce that goes down easy and complements many dishes, but be warned that it may disappear from your kitchen faster than you think.

The Unbelievable Ingredients

The ingredient list for Varan the Unbelievable hot sauce includes a mix of bold flavors, listed in the following order on the bottle:

Habanero, mango, yellow bell pepper, onion, garlic, ginger, agave, turmeric, vinegar, lime juice and salt

One notable aspect of this hot sauce is its calorie-free nature, which is consistent across the entire King of the Monsters hot sauce line from Jade City Foods. In addition to being calorie-free, all of the hot sauces in this series share the same sodium content of 100mg, making that their main vice for those watching their sodium intake.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Varan the Unbelievable hot sauce is a winner in my book. It delivers a flavorful and spicy kick that is more intense than you might expect from its 6/10 heat rating. This sauce will undoubtedly disappear quickly from my kitchen, and it ranks among the best in the Jade City Foods collection, right alongside favorites like Gigan Cybernetic Slasher and Mothra Queen of the Monsters. While it’s tough to dethrone my all-time favorite, Megalon God of the Seatopians, Varan’s hot sauce is definitely one to keep on hand for those looking to add a little extra heat and flavor to their meals.