“It was because they said so” - that was the real reason why Deron and Kit got into the chili oil business during the pandemic. The Wailuku husband-and-wife team seemed to accidentally fill a void in the food scene on Maui when their family and friends encouraged them to sell bottles of their own chili oil. The unexpected success encouraged both to expand, and now they’re answering the challenge to produce more to meet the demand.
“My wife and I both love to eat and we’ve supported other chili oil brands before but none seem to hit the spot,” Deron said. “So through trial and error and many taste tests from our family and friends, we made our own.”
Maui Chili Chili Oil uses Chinese-inspired flavors from Szechuan chili flakes and peppercorns that give a slight numbing sensation from the spice but not too overpowering. As a low-sodium no MSG oil, anyone can pair it with shoyu and lemon as a dipping sauce, or can put it directly on any dish to enhance its flavors.
Fried garlic and onion bits take the oil to a delicious and playful texture experience when consumed. This is why it’s also great for salads and ramen. But really, it can be paired with almost anything - even ice cream! No kidding.
The couple shared how they noticed that chili oil is not very popular in Hawaii yet, as often times they receive questions on how to use it and what it is for. But later as the same customers return they provide feedback raving about how the product has become a regular fixture on their dining tables.
“We’re just amazed by the encouragement we receive and grateful to the community for supporting,” Kit said. “We were really excited to be on the shelves of Mana Foods and share our little pandemic project.”
