Drive southwest of New Iberia along Hwy 329 through cane fields to Avery Island (admission $1), home of the McIlhenny Tabasco Factory and a wildlife garden. The ‘island’ is actually a salt dome that extends 8 miles below the surface. The salt mined here goes into the sauce, as do locally grown peppers. The mixture ferments in oak barrels before it’s mixed with vinegar, strained and bottled. At the factory gift shop, order a bag of the ‘Tabasco dregs,’ which are what remains from making the sauce, and you’ll gain a fine seasoning mix and get a free tour to boot. The gift shop also has just about any Tabasco-imprinted item you can imagine.
