S-s-s-saucy

There are now about five annual hot sauce contests around the country. The oldest is conducted by the International Fiery Foods Assn. in Albuquerque, where this year a panel of New Mexico’s top chefs judged 250 sauces from 24 states. The grand prize winner was Chilli Peppers Habanero BBQ Sauce, but our favorites from the finalists were Tropical Pepper Calypso Sauce (Haddan House), a chutney-like relish containing peaches, apricots and horseradish as well as chiles; Baron West Indian Hot Sauce (Caribbean Island Imports), a bright yellow habanero sauce; and Cat Scratch Fever (Purgatory Pepper Sauce), which lived up to its name with a sudden sharp attack. Unfortunately, the hot sauce market is extremely volatile, and it can be hard to find a given sauce, but it’s always an entertaining search.

Hot sauces, $3 to $5; try CJ’s Gourmet Emporium, Pasadena, and Hot ‘n Saucy, Irvine, or mail order sources such as Mo Hotta Mo Betta, (800) 462-3220; SalsaExpress, (800) 43-SALSA; and Firegirl, https://www.firegirl.com.

Wash With Truffles

Chocolate Truffle Soaps are not the only soaps around made to look like candies, but they’re the cream of the crop: They really look like candies and they smell like chocolate all the way through. A box includes six foil-wrapped soaps in three scents: chocolate creme de menthe, chocolate citrus and chocolate toffee crunch. These would make a nice Valentine’s gift, or perhaps something for washing out the mouths of well-off but naughty children.

Order from Foodstuffs Mail Order at (888) FSTUFFS, $30 plus $6 shipping.

Tea Towel Paradise

If you want to upgrade from plain white tea towels, Upstairs at Diamond, on the second floor of Diamond Foam & Fabric, has a large selection, and they’re of high quality, many from France.

Tea towels, $24 to $27, Upstairs at Diamond, Diamond Foam & Fabric, Hollywood.

Chop Sticks Without Tears

Have a hard time picking up food with chop sticks? Can’t even keep both sticks in your hand at the same time? Rookie Stix, invented by a former civil rights lawyer in Hawaii to promote cultural harmony, are can’t-miss chop sticks: They’re like giant tweezers complete with flattened tips for a better grip. They’re dishwasher-safe plastic, six colors.

Rookie Stix, 4 for $7.95, at Sur La Table, Pasadena, or call (888) 523-3353.