From Spice to Swiss Delight
How a bold love for spice brought a new flavor to Switzerland
Welcome to Jian’s Chili, where the vibrant heat of Sichuan meets the heart of Switzerland. My name is Jian Li, and my passion for bold flavors and spice inspired me to bring a taste of my hometown, Chongqing, to my new home in Winterthur. What started as a personal quest to recreate the authentic chili sauces I grew up with quickly blossomed into a business—spreading the love for fiery, flavor-packed food to everyone around me. From homemade experiments to transforming Swiss dishes like fondue with a spoonful of my sauce, this journey is about sharing the flavors of Sichuan that I hold dear.
My Journey: From Chongqing to Winterthur
Born and raised in the heart of Chongqing, a city famous for its bold, spicy cuisine, I grew up surrounded by the vibrant flavors of Sichuan food. From a young age, I fell in love with the rich, fiery heat of chili peppers and the magic they brought to every meal. In my family, making the perfect chili sauce was a tradition passed down through generations—a closely guarded recipe that brought us together around the dinner table.
When I moved to Winterthur, Switzerland, a few years ago, I was excited to explore a new culture and way of life, but I soon realized something was missing. As someone who thrives on the flavors of home, I found it difficult to find chili sauces that truly captured the essence of Chongqing—a blend of intense heat and deep flavor that made every bite unforgettable. There were plenty of sauces, but none that offered the authentic taste I grew up with.
That's when I decided to take matters into my own hands. Armed with my family’s secret recipe and my passion for cooking, I started crafting my own chili sauce in my kitchen in Winterthur, determined to recreate the flavors that reminded me of home. What started as a personal project to bring some spice back into my life quickly turned into something more. I shared the sauce with friends and classmates at the University of Zurich, and the feedback was overwhelming—they loved it!
One of the turning points for me was my first fondue experience in Switzerland. My husband loves this traditional Swiss dish, but I found it a bit too plain for my taste. That changed when I discovered that adding a spoonful of my chili sauce to the creamy Swiss cheese fondue gave it the perfect kick! Suddenly, I had a new way to enjoy this classic dish, and it became something we could both love.
Seeing how much people enjoyed the sauce, I realized that this was more than just a way to satisfy my cravings. I had the opportunity to share a piece of my culture with others and introduce the authentic Sichuan flavors I cherished to a wider audience. That’s when the idea for Jian’s Secret was born.
The Sauce Creation Process:
From Balcony to Bottle
The secret behind Jian’s Secret Chili Sauce lies in its authentic recipe—a treasured family tradition passed down through generations in Chongqing. When I first moved to Switzerland, the flavors of home were hard to come by, so I turned to my family’s well-guarded recipe to recreate the bold, spicy taste that defined my upbringing.
Armed with this recipe, I began experimenting in my kitchen, sourcing fresh, high-quality ingredients that would bring out the full depth of flavor. Every jar of sauce is crafted in small batches to ensure consistency and quality. I even grow some of my own chili plants on my balcony, where I nurture the spice that brings the sauce to life. From selecting the perfect chili peppers to balancing the heat with just the right amount of garlic, ginger, and oils, each step in the process is carefully done by hand.
One of my goals is to learn and improve every day—constantly refining the recipe to make it even better while increasing production without sacrificing quality. Each bottle of Jian’s Chili is made entirely by hand, using only the freshest ingredients, without any processed components. My sauce is unique in that it consists of many fresh chili peppers and other carefully selected ingredients—it's not just a chili oil, like many of the sauces available on the market. This ensures a rich, complex flavor that balances heat with depth, making it much more than just a spicy condiment.
I never intended to create a sauce for the mass market. Instead, my aim has always been to produce a high-premium quality product that reflects the Swiss precision I’ve come to admire. Every bottle of Jian’s Secret Chili Sauce is a representation of my commitment to delivering the finest product, ensuring that it not only enriches the lives of my customers but also embodies the very best in craftsmanship and taste. This premium sauce is for those who seek an authentic, high-quality experience—one that enhances their dishes with bold, unforgettable flavors.
What started as a personal project quickly turned into something more. After sharing the sauce with friends, classmates, and neighbors, I realized I wasn’t the only one who craved the flavors of Sichuan. The enthusiastic reactions I received were overwhelming—everyone loved it, from those who had never experienced Sichuan cuisine to those seeking an authentic taste of home.
This response fueled my passion and gave me the confidence to take things to the next level. What began as small batches in my kitchen has grown into a business dedicated to bringing authentic Sichuan flavors to Switzerland. Today, every jar of Jian’s Secret is made with the same care and dedication that started on my balcony. Each bottle represents my love for spice and my commitment to sharing the bold flavors of Chongqing with the world.
Personal Connection & Passion: Sharing the Essence of Sichuan
At the heart of Jian’s Chili Sauce is my deep connection to the flavors and culture of Sichuan, a region known for its rich culinary heritage and bold use of spices. Growing up in Chongqing, food wasn’t just about sustenance; it was about bringing people together around a shared love of spice and flavor. This connection to my roots drives everything I do with Jian’s Chili—from selecting the freshest ingredients to crafting each jar with care.
For me, cooking has always been a way to express love, joy, and creativity. There’s something magical about seeing people’s faces light up when they taste something that brings excitement to their palate. My goal is to share this joy with as many people as possible, whether they’re new to Sichuan cuisine or longtime lovers of spicy food. When you open a jar of Jian’s Chili, I want you to feel the same warmth and excitement that I feel when creating it.
My vision for Jian's Chili goes beyond just making a delicious chili sauce—it’s about sharing a piece of my heritage with the world. I am deeply proud of China’s rich food culture and the country’s remarkable growth over the last century. Through Jian's Chili, I want to bring the vibrant and authentic flavors of Sichuan to my new home in Switzerland, sharing this cultural treasure with my friends and family here.
As someone who is both international and open to exploring new cultures, I believe that food has the power to connect people. Through my chili sauce, I want to build a bridge between Chinese and Swiss cultures, introducing the bold flavors I grew up with while also embracing the traditions and tastes of my new home. It’s not just about the sauce—it’s about creating a shared experience, bringing happiness and love to every table.
By sharing my culture with the world, I hope to make it a better and happier place, one jar at a time. My goal is to spread positive energy through my sauce, enriching the lives of my customers and celebrating the beauty of cultural exchange. With Jian's Chili, I aim to bring a little bit of spice, joy, and love into everyone’s life.
My Vision: Bringing Sichuan to Your Table
Get in Touch with Jian
If you have any questions about Jian’s Chili, are interested in learning more about our products, or simply want to say hello, I’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re looking for suggestions on how to best use the sauce or have inquiries about bulk orders, feel free to reach out.
And when you’re ready to spice up your meals, hit the button below to order your jar of Jian’s Chili and start enjoying the bold flavors of Sichuan!