Mom's Mala is a vibrantly red and deeply fragrant Sichuan chili oil that is all about bringing out the aromatic side of chili, balancing mouth-tingling (ma) Sichuan peppercorns with spicy (la) chili peppers. This classic mouth-tingling sauce is a classic condiment much harder to find on supermarket shelves than other Asian hot sauces that feature peanut or garlic. Rounded out with a blend of star anise, cinnamon and cloves—the core spices of Chinese five-spice powder—and a touch of sugar and oil, this Sichuan chili oil has floral and lightly smoky notes and is available in both mild and spicy versions.

Mutti Tomato Paste is tomato paste as it was originally intended. Traditionally, this ingredient was made by drying tomato sauce on wooden boards in the sun; likewise, Mutti's modern version has a sun-dried flavor and caramelized richness reminiscent of molasses. Yet the tomato paste is not overly sweet—as tomatoes cook, their amino acids break down, which produces savory umami compounds. And unlike most tubed tomato pastes which are double-concentrated, this version is triple-concentrated, so a little goes a long way. We far prefer it to other tomato pastes in tubes, not to mention canned varieties that inevitably have a metallic taste from reacting with acidic tomato juice.

While most mayonnaise is made with vinegar, Hotaru Foods uses 100% yuzu juice as its acid of choice, which adds a bright, citrusy kick and subtle sweetness reminiscent of Kewpie mayonnaise, a Japanese favorite. We especially like to pair it with seafood, which doesn't need its usual squeeze of lemon thanks to the tart yuzu flavor.

You can think of this chocolate tahini spread as the bittersweet, dark-chocolate sister of Nutella. Similar to how adding espresso powder to brownies brings out the chocolate flavor, the nutty and pleasantly bitter notes of toasted sesame are a wonderful counterpoint to the chocolate in this spreadable halva. Soom's tahini is made from single-origin white sesame seeds from northwestern Ethiopia that have an ideal oil-to-protein ratio and result in a creamy, pourable texture.

Most ketchup is watered-down and overly sweet from corn syrup. Not so with Mutti's product, which has a full tomato taste because it's made from concentrated tomato paste instead of puree. The ketchup also has a wonderful balance of flavors: robust and savory with a touch of spice. We like that Mutti makes this condiment with wine vinegar, which adds dimension and offsets tomatoes' ripe sweetness.

Rarely have we seen a mango puree in supermarkets and, if we do, it’s often full of sweeteners and additives. Made from Alphonso mangoes, which are renowned in India for their natural sweetness and buttery-smooth texture, this puree contains no added sugar or preservatives—it’s just pure, juicy mango. About five fresh mangos are packed into every jar of this luscious puree and its silky texture is pourable, yet decadent like yogurt, and has a rich, bright flavor that balances sweet and tart, akin to snacking on refreshing mangoes at their peak season.

This spicy, briny Japanese condiment combines chili heat with yuzu, the best-tasting citrus fruit you’ve never heard of that is used broadly in Japanese cooking as an accent note. Yuzu Kosho Green is a Japanese condiment prepared from fermented yuzu, chilies, kombu and salt.

We love the complex, mouth-numbing quality of floral, piney Sichuan peppercorns, but their aromatic compounds are notoriously short-lived, so store-bought dried versions are often stale and flavorless. Like a bold wine that needs a bit of time to breathe, Green Sichuan Pepper Oil has powerful resinous aromas and earthy, funky notes that some might find daunting when the bottle is first opened. No need to worry: With a bit of air, that intensity mellows and softens, and the oil's complex crushed-pine aroma comes through, along with floral-citrusy notes.

Mustard-lovers will appreciate the nose-clearing pungency of this Horseradish Mustard by historic French brand
Bornibus, which has a clear spice but isn't harsh since it's made with fresh (not powdered) mustard. Less metallic-tasting than jarred horseradish and more complex than most mustards, we like to think of this small-batch condiment as a rich, robust alternative to Dijon mustard with an added spicy accent.

• Net Weight: 250 grams
• Ingredients: Water, mustard seeds, spirit vinegar, horseradish (6%) (contains sulfites), salt, sugar, citric acid, canola oil, spices, potassium disulfite (as preservative)
• Place of Origin: France

In France's Dijon arrondissement, where—you guessed it—Dijon mustard originated, Reine de Dijon has been making its creamy, aromatic mustards the traditional way since 1840. The company's classic Dijon Mustard is so silky and light on the palate that it almost reminds us of whipped cream, and its flavor is cleaner and earthier than basic yellow mustard because it's made with fresh mustard seeds. A touch of vinegar perfectly balances the pungency with a tangy accent for a balanced, robust version of this classic.

Unlike many habanero-flavored hot sauces that are incendiary hot and over-spiced, Secret Aardvark keeps the heat in check with a little fruity sweetness that falls between Caribbean and Tex-Mex hot sauces. Fruity habanero pairs beautifully with tomatoes, avocado, corn, even melon, making this hot sauce one of our favorite summertime sauces. Try mixing a little with extra-virgin olive oil and a splash of lemon or lime juice for your next tomato salad or toss with mixed melon wedges, cilantro leaves and a little crumbled queso fresco. Or make this the “secret” ingredient in your next batch of guacamole, topping with a handful of crunchy toasted pepitas to temper the spice. And if you’re one of those who likes ketchup on your eggs (we know, its polarizing), Secret Aardvark is a breakfast champion. Matt, our food editor, blows through this sauce at the breakfast table, slathering it on his omelets, scrambles and fried eggs alike, though he thinks it really pairs best with the crispy fried corned beef hash at his local breakfast joint.

This honey mustard from one of France's leading brands is a welcome change from the overly sweet supermarket varieties completely lacking in mustard character. Bornibus Honey Mustard has a touch of sweetness from honey but leans savory overall, with a deep, rich mustard flavor that's mild enough to be universally appealing, even for those who don't like spice—plus, we guarantee you'll love its incredibly smooth texture.

• Net Weight: 250 grams
• Ingredients: Water, mustard seeds, spirit vinegar, salt, citric acid, potassium metabisulphite (as preservative)
• Place of Origin: France

New York-based company Seedible's unique Sesame Butter is a delicious, ready-to-eat spread that's about to replace peanut butter as your new go-to. Whereas tahini is a raw ingredient made only with sesame seeds, Seedible's recipe is a snackable spread with a deep nuttiness that tastes distinctly of sesame, but none of the characteristic bitterness associated with tahini. Instead, the Sesame Butter is lightly sweetened using organic dates. We were amazed at how well-balanced the flavors are in Seedible's spread—the earthy-sweet, rich dates are just enough to balance out the bitterness without overpowering the aromatic sesame butter. The company uses Humera sesame seeds from Ethiopia, which have an ideal oil-to-protein ratio for grinding into a creamy consistency. Sunflower seeds add texture and body to Seedible's Crunchy Sesame Butter. They also enhance the sesame butter's overall sweetness by adding a slightly savory counterpoint, akin to a chunky peanut butter made with pieces of lightly salted peanut. It's perfect in a sandwich or dolloped over nutty steel-cut oats for breakfast.

Cozy, complex and ideal for the holidays, this Persian-style jam boasts bursts of rich red fruit flavor brightened by juicy whole sour cherries. Notes of decadent cocoa play up the pomegranate’s slight bitterness, while delicate orange blossom mingles harmoniously with the succulent cherries—which are dried and then rehydrated, packing a more concentrated flavor. We also love the use of mahlab—an aromatic spice made from the seed kernels of cherries—in this conserve, yielding a nutty, pleasantly bitter taste reminiscent of marzipan. Compared to your standard sour cherry jam, this spread offers many more layers of fruit flavor and nuance, with an extra-tangy kick brought by the pomegranate. We won’t judge if you just savor a spoonful straight from the jar, but this conserve has limitless potential to elevate all manner of dishes.

The milder, serrano-based cousin of Secret Aardvark’s original habanero hot sauce is a little tangier and sharper than the red sauce. It’ll work anywhere you want heat with a bit of tang—guacamole, beans, eggs, rice, even pasta. If you’re like us, you’ll keep both styles of the Secret Aardvark hot sauces on the table and mix and match to suit.

Available in both crunchy and smooth varieties, this beloved Haitian condiment won’t appear in your average grocery store. The spread packs a deep natural sweetness underneath its prominent savory peanut flavor, with a moderate amount of heat that hits the palate later on from the earthy, aromatic chilies—noticeable, but never overwhelming, as it’s rounded out by the richness of the peanuts. Even considering its thick and delightfully-oozy texture, this product has a less sticky mouthfeel and more robust flavor than your typical natural peanut butter. It's thick, but not stiff and has a slight granularity that melts away when it hits the tongue into a smooth, creamy blend–with generous chunks of peanut studding the spread if you opt for the chunky version.

Made without artificial preservatives or other fillers, this award-winning Cambodian hot sauce is pure flavor, featuring not only red chili peppers but also pungent garlic; salty, umami-packed fish sauce; vinegar; and sugar for a complex and balanced condiment. Its moderate heat level and subtle sweetness make it incredibly versatile. Its moderate heat level and subtle sweetness make it incredibly versatile.

This deep-red, chili-forward sauce packs a good amount of spice, but it’s balanced by the bright acidity of white vinegar and fresh ginger. A smokey note from the anchos and paprika is lightly evocative of the grill, while warming spices like cinnamon add depth and complexity. Made by hand in small batches, this sauce can be used both as a complete simmer sauce or a flavor booster to jumpstart homemade dishes like stews, marinades and dressings.