THANK YOU.
Thank you for believing in this idea, for sharing it with your friends and family, and for helping turn a small spark into something extraordinary.
Two years ago, I found myself at a crossroads. I had stepped away from the companies I built, seeking more time with my family, especially my father, who had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It was a moment of uncertainty — a time when I questioned my purpose and how to navigate this new chapter of life.
To make sense of it all, I turned to two things: cooking and crafting. In the kitchen, I explored flavors, experimenting with dishes to bring comfort and joy to my family. At the craft table, I worked with my kids, channeling restless energy into simple, creative projects. These pursuits reminded me of the power of creating something with your own hands.
And that’s when I reconnected with The Chili Pepper Problem.
The Chili Pepper Problem
Despite the vast diversity of chili peppers — over 4,000 varieties — most of us only have one or two in our kitchens. Even worse, those options are often uninspiring: generic flakes that taste like plastic or superhots like the Ghost Pepper or Carolina Reaper that are hard to find and even harder to wield. The desire for spice is there, but there has been a failure to deliver on its promise.
I wanted to solve this — not for the world, but for myself.
The Spark for SpiceQuest
The idea for SpiceQuest took root during a trip to Tuscany while visiting my motherland. I stumbled across a grower selling chili peppers in elegant glass test tubes, each marked with a number corresponding to its heat level. The concept was beautiful but impractical — bulky tubes, too many numbers, and flimsy scooping tools. I couldn’t stop thinking, What if this could be simpler? What if it could be better?
That question grew into a vision.
Enter SpiceQuest
SpiceQuest began as a personal project but has become so much more: a collection of chili peppers delivered in an intuitive system — precisely measured, beautifully packaged, and easy to use.
Since launching in June of this year, over 1,200 of you have brought SpiceQuest into your kitchens, ordering more than 10,000 grinders collectively! Together, we’ve raised thousands of dollars for charity and connected through a shared love of spice. These numbers represent more than milestones — they’re stories of meals, moments, and memories.
A Year of Growth
This fall, we launched our Limited Edition Series, celebrating rare peppers grown by passionate farmers. Each release offers the chance to discover something extraordinary — a spice with a story.
We also introduced The Asian Spice Kit, inspired by my family’s travels across the Asian continent and the vibrant flavors we fell in love with along the way.
Through these milestones, SpiceQuest has become more than a novel way to deliver spice — it’s sparked curiosity, forged connections, and transformed meals into adventures.
Looking Ahead
As we close the year, I want to thank you again. Your belief in this idea has turned a small spark into something extraordinary.
And there’s so much to be excited about: new kits, exclusive limited releases, an “exotic” collection, new grinder designs, food-pairing guides, and even a surprise celebrity endorsement.
Our vision is simple but bold: to make spice as essential as salt and build a global movement where spice becomes the language that connects us all.
With sincere gratitude,
Fabio Gratton
Founder & Chief Spiceologist
SpiceQuest
