Austin, Texas, 1979: A Mexican named Fernando went to the grocery store to buy something to add spice and flavor to his food.

Sadly, the only "salsas" on the shelves in Austin resembled processed, lumpy ketchup. In an act of desperation, Fernando began mixing his own salsa from scratch.

He brought the salsa to a dinner party in the early 80s and people started asking where they could buy it. Fernando told them he made it at home to add flavor to his food.

Soon people started asking for jars and even gallons of the tasty medley, so Fernando decided to bottle it.

For nearly a decade, Sabor! was the undisputed refrigerated salsa headliner.

Distributors, pre-ordered shipments of Sabor! to be sold in Dallas and Houston - even as far as Chicago.

It was quite an accomplishment for Fernando, whose intention was only to add some flavor to his food.

By 1990, Sabor was shelved locally - by customer request - at Whole Foods, Fresh Plus, Wheatsville Co-op, Sun Harvest, and Tom Thumb.

In 1992, at the request of the Austin Chronicle, Sabor was ushered into a city-wide salsa competition, winning first place in red refrigerator commercial salsa and second place in green refrigerator commercial salsa.

The following year Sabor returned to win first place again in red refrigerator commercial salsa, as well as taking first place in the special variety category with an experimental habanero salsa.

In the San Antonio/Austin Hot Sauce Challenge, Sabor won first place yet again with the red refrigerator salsa.

Also in that year, HEB opened Central Market, a hugely successful superstore to compete with Whole Foods. Mr. Miramon was notified that 5-10 customers a day were requesting that Sabor be sold at Central Market.

Due to popular demand, the salsa was on the shelves within a week.

For more about history, awards and upcoming news regarding Sabor! Salsas, visit the Sabor! Salsa Newsroom.

Sabor! Hot Sauces are available at Central Market Stores and select HEB stores in the Austin and surrounding areas. Buy Sabor now.