Questions we get asked
These are short answers to the questions shoppers and shopkeepers ask most about the Awesome Foods range: how the heat meter works, what is in a pack, where to buy, and how a shop opens an account.
Quick answers
The six questions asked most often, answered in one line each. The full answer to every one of them is further down this page.
| Question | Short answer | Where the detail is |
|---|---|---|
| How big is a pack? | 100 g, sealed, the same across all eight products. | Product Information |
| How hot is it? | Printed on the front as a five-step heat meter, from None to Extra Hot. | The heat meter |
| Where is it made? | Botswana - blended and packed in Mogoditshane, Kweneng. | Our Story |
| Where can I buy it? | Ask at your local shop, or message +267 7846 7382 directly. | Where to Buy |
| Can my shop stock it? | Yes - trade accounts are opened on request. | Stock the Range |
| When do I season? | Before cooking and again near the end; add heat last. | When to season |
What size are Awesome Foods packs?
Every product in the range is a 100 g pack. It is sized to balance affordability against repeat use in a family kitchen.
How do I know how hot a pack is before I buy it?
Every pack prints a five-step heat meter on the front, next to the word for that level. The range runs from None through Mild, Medium and Hot to Extra Hot.
Where is Awesome Foods made?
Awesome Foods is a company of Cabanga Africa (Pty) Ltd, based in Gaborone, Botswana. The country of origin printed on every pack is Botswana.
How should I store the packs?
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. The packs use a high-barrier laminate, so the flavour holds as long as the pack is kept sealed and out of the light.
Can I stock Awesome Foods in my shop?
Yes. The range is packed for resale in spaza shops, butcheries, takeaways and formal retail. Send a trade enquiry and we will return case sizes, trade pricing and delivery terms.
Do you have recipes I can cook with these spices?
Yes. The Recipes section carries twenty-one everyday recipes and every one of them is built around a pack in the range. You can filter them by the spice you already have in the cupboard.
Where can I buy Awesome Foods?
Awesome Foods is rolling out through independent shops first. Ask for it by name at your local shop, or message us on WhatsApp and we will tell you what is available near you.
Are the spices certified?
Awesome Foods buys its raw material from certified commercial spice suppliers rather than the open market, and every delivery arrives with a supplier specification sheet. The Certifications page sets out which standards those suppliers hold and how to request the documentation.
Can I see the ingredients and allergens for a pack?
The Product Information section carries the full specification for each of the eight products. Ingredient declarations, allergen statements and nutritional values are published as each supplier specification is signed off.
What is the difference between braai spice and steak and chop spice?
In this range they are two different packs doing two different jobs. Braai & Chop is a coarse, smoky blend at heat level 2, built for meat over open flame where texture survives the coals. Steak Pepper is a bold, peppery blend at heat level 1, built for pan and grill where a finer grind sits evenly on the cut. Many cooks use both on the same braai: Braai & Chop underneath, Steak Pepper on top.
How hot is cayenne compared to paprika?
Four steps apart on the same scale. Cayenne sits at step 5, Extra Hot, and Smoky Paprika sits at step 1, Mild. Both are red powders and look similar in the pack, which is exactly why the heat meter is printed on the front. Paprika brings colour and smoke; cayenne brings heat.
What is the difference between mixed herbs and mixed spice?
They are not the same thing and are not interchangeable. Mixed herbs is a savoury blend of dried leaf herbs, used in cooking, and it carries no heat at all. Mixed spice usually means a sweet baking blend built around cinnamon and similar warm spices, used in cakes and puddings. The Awesome Foods range includes Mixed Herbs at heat level 0. It does not include a sweet mixed spice.
When should I season - before cooking or during?
Both. Season before the heat so the flavour sits on the surface and colours as it cooks, then season again near the end so the aroma is still there when the food reaches the table. Aromatic packs such as Mixed Herbs and Citrus Pepper are best added late, and Cayenne is best added last so you can taste as you build the heat.
Which packs work well together?
Pair a savoury base pack with a second pack that adds aroma or heat. All-In-One with Mixed Herbs keeps the heat at zero and adds aroma. Braai & Chop with Steak Pepper gives smoke underneath and pepper on top. Smoky Paprika with Cayenne gives colour and smoke with heat added to taste. Add the hotter pack last so you can stop when it is right.
What is a heat meter on a spice pack?
It is a five-step scale printed on the front of every Awesome Foods pack that tells you how hot the contents are before you buy. Each step carries a word as well as a mark, running from None through Mild, Medium and Hot to Extra Hot. Because it is the same scale on all eight packs, comparing any two of them is a real comparison rather than a guess from the product name.