Hot Enough For You?
Nikki Guerrero likes it hot.
And when she couldn’t find salsa that compared to what she grew up eating with her family in Arizona, she started making it herself.
An old friend from home had just taken over North Portland’s Cherry Sprout Market and wanted the store to offer the same southwestern flavors she remembered from the Mexican markets in Tucson. One thing led to another, and Hot Mama Salsa debuted on the store’s shelves in 2008.
In the years since Nikki partnered with Suave Island farmer Grey Horton to grow chiles so she’d always have a fresh supply, created a line of chile oils long before the current trend began, and branched out to offer the best tortilla chips in the Pacific Northwest (yes, they’re even better than Juanita’s).
Hot Mama’s success allowed Nikki to channel her passion for community, sustainability, and cooking through the business.
Hot Mama’s success allowed Nikki to channel her passion for community, sustainability, and cooking through the business. She sources ingredients from local farmers and producers like her tortilla suppliers La Milpa in Sandy, OR. She mentors fledgling entrepreneurs, offers workshops to inspire people to cook, and never misses a chance to champion the flavors and traditions of her Chicana culture.
Photos via @hotmamasalsa, @goodfoodfdn, @umiorganic
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Crackers, Snacks, & Nuts
White Corn Tortilla Chips
Vendor:Hot Mama Salsa
Portland - OregonRegular price $9 $9Sale price $9 Regular priceSale price $9Unit price per -
Sauces & Condiments
Salsa Mexicana
Vendor:Hot Mama Salsa
Portland - OregonRegular price $6 $6Sale price $6 Regular priceSale price $6Unit price per -
Sauces & Condiments
Smokey Coffee Chili Oil
Vendor:Hot Mama Salsa
Portland - OregonRegular price $11 $11Sale price $11 Regular priceSale price $11Unit price per -
Sauces & Condiments
Fermented Fresno Chili Hot Sauce
Vendor:Hot Mama Salsa
Portland - OregonRegular price $8 $8Sale price $8 Regular priceSale price $8Unit price per
