Anyone for some Tabasco sauce?

Today Greg and I played tourists and went to Avery Island, Louisiana, about an hour west of New Orleans. Avery Island is the home of the original Tabasco sauce, a sauce used in many households around the world. A few months ago I saw a program about its production, and so we thought we'd pay a visit.

Even though its sold to many countries (can't remember how many), with labels in 22 different languages, every bottle is prepared and shipped from this one location. That fascinated me.

We joined a short tour, watched a movie, toured the factory production, and then went to the gift store. We bought bottles of a limited edition Family Reserve that was originally prepared for the family who started the business. This version cannot be bought in regular stores. Instead of the usual 3 years fermenting in a barrel, this one ferments for 8 years, and uses white wine vinegar instead of regular vinegar. All versions are fermented in former Jack Daniels bourbon barrels. We couldn't resist.

During our short stay in Louisiana we've learned many new words, but most are related to food. However, when I asked a white hotel clerk what a person from Louisiana is called, her answer made me think I'd heard wrong. So I clarified it by saying that a person from Texas is called a Texan, so what's a person from Louisiana called? She repeated it; they're called a coonass. I uncomfortably looked to her black coworker for a reaction, but she smiled and agreed. Apparently it's not a derogatory term, but rather locals have a sense of pride relating to their heritage. Apparently some time ago a politically correct politician changed the word to Cajun, but many still prefer to refer to themselves as coonasses. I haven't yet found the courage to use the word though.

Azaleas are in bloom here now; they're just beautiful

So where are we going tomorrow? Who knows!