Jade All-Natural Sichuan Peanut Sauce, 13.5 oz.

A while back, a reader suggested we look at Asian peanut sauces, of which there are many, many in the market. Some are rather liquidy, others coarse like a sambal, but the best ones simply hit all the right flavor notes - they are intensely peanut-y, with a nice spicy-sweet balance. Which leads us to the newest members of our Taster's Choice Hall of Fame. Two peanut sauces - Jade and Annie Chun's - were head and shoulders above the rest in our blind tasting, scoring more than the 80 points required for entry into the Hall. First-place Jade ($8.80 for 13.5 ounces at Draeger's) received a perfect score from one panelist, while another raved that it "tastes homemade." "Sweet, tangy and spicy" with a "nice peanut hit," this "glossy" sauce is "best for dipping." All five panelists would buy this brand.