About us & history
More Than Flavor — A Legacy of Love & Real Ingredients
Our sauce mixes start with Hatch® chiles grown on small, family-owned farms in New Mexico. These aren’t industrially processed or harvested early — they’re left to ripen naturally in the sun, which deepens their earthy sweetness and bold flavor.
Once ready, the chile pods are de-seeded, de-stemmed, and stone-ground “uncut” — a method trusted by chile aficionados and chefs alike. This preserves their rich umami character and produces a vibrant, high-quality powder with no bitterness.
We believe sourcing should be as intentional as seasoning — so we build relationships with growers, inspect crops ourselves, and bring you flavors that start with trust.
Authentic Mexican Sauce Mixes Made Simply & Honestly
Chicamonina is a sauce starter — not just a seasoning. Our mixes are created to do more than one thing: blend into sauces, marinades, dressings, botanas, or dry rubs with ease. One packet, endless flavor.
Our compact packaging is intentional — each box contains 3 pre-measured packettes, designed to be both functional and beautiful. It's shelf-stable, giftable, and stores easily, whether in a boutique or your pantry.
Made in small batches, free of preservatives, gluten, soy, or additives — our mixes are as clean and flexible as modern home cooks need them to be.
What Chicamonina Means to Me
Chicamonina was the nickname my father gave me as a toddler — a small word packed with love. He worked with spices, often coming home with the scents of garlic, chile, and cumin on his clothes. My mother created meals that felt like home, from scratch, with care and tradition. Together, they built a life where food meant love, and time in the kitchen meant connection.
That energy lives on in every mix we make.
When I started Chicamonina, I knew I wanted to do more than create a product. I wanted to share a piece of my childhood — a sauce starter that brings families together, helps people cook with confidence, and reflects the care I was raised with.
This brand is about flavor, yes — but it’s also about respecting where it comes from and passing that love forward to your table.
Our Roots Run Deep
Chicamonina’s origins in the chile spice industry trace back to 1947 — generations of flavor, passion, and family tradition.