Right smack dab in the middle of downtown Berlin, in the heart of Amish Country, you'll find a delightful culinary shop that has absolutely nothing to do with typical Amish-style mashed potatoes, gravy, noodles, date pudding or homemade bread. In fact, its food products are about as far from down-home cookin' as you can get ... unless you're from Cajun country, Texas or the Caribbean, that is!

Jan Baker, the shop's owner, became infatuated with opening a shop for those with "hot" tastes after visiting one like it in Dallas, Texas. With the help and support of her husband, she was able to create Berlin Chile Traders, a charming establishment tucked away right across the street from Helping Hands Quilt Shop. Since 1996, the shop has been satisfying the taste buds of those who really like their food hot and spicy. And when I say "hot," I mean hot, anywhere from lukewarm up to "knock-your-socks-off!"

Berlin Chile Traders sells more than 1,000 items, including soup and chili mixes (one is named Gunpowder Chili Mix .. now doesn't that sound powerful?) and a wide variety of beans and dip mixes. Salsas come in many flavors, including raspberry, black bean and corn, mango, garlic and pineapple. There are rows and rows of hot sauces, each one competing with the other for just the right hot and spicy flavor (they also compete to see who has "hottest" name ... some come pretty darn near to being unprintable!). Several popular brands are Peach Salsa, D.L. Jardines and Fiesta by Original Juan.

Spicy condiments, oils, vinegars and pickled favorites are available in many varieties, as are Burning BBQ sauces, marinades and jerk. Cajun and Creole products abound, as well. "Flamin' Munchies" describes the area where hot and wild snacks are found. No matter what your temperature limit, you'll find just the thing for your next get-together.

And to help wash it all down, you can choose from the many margarita mixes and salts.

Of course, the well-known Tabasco label is found over and over at Berlin Chile Traders, not only on the many edible products, but on some of the many accessories.

Jan has gathered quite a collection of home decor items with the chili-pepper theme. Kitchen linens, including aprons, towels, pot holders, napkins and placemats, are available in many "hot" styles and bright colors. To complete the total look, you can choose from different styles of dish ware, snack sets, canister sets and even cookie cutters. Gorgeous margarita glasses and pitchers are on display in a variety of styles and colors. Dried red-pepper ristras hanging from the ceiling create a colorful atmosphere, as do the bright pinatas, and both are for sale.

You can choose from posters, tiles and chile-pepper string lights to help keep your "hot and spicy" look going. And if you want to look the part yourself, you can pick from the selection of "Chilewear" ... Berlin Chile Traders tee shirts and ball caps.

With so many flavors and heat levels to choose from, getting just what you want can sometimes be a challenge. Well, at Berlin Chile Traders you can taste any product you wish. Just ask! There are always a few products out on display so you can taste them, but if you're unsure about any of the others (except the really super-hot ones), you can sample them to be sure they're what you want.

"Everyone's heat level is different," Jan said, "so we let our customers taste our products and choose what's best for them."

After a "tasty" visit to Berlin Chile Traders, your taste buds might be on fire, you may want to ask for a drink of water, or you may want to visit the Coke machine right outside the door! Better yet, go next-door to Boyd Wurthmann's restaurant and get some ice cream! Jan says she often recommends the cool treat for her customers. Maybe some pie underneath that ice cream would be even better!

If you're not able to get to Holmes County, and you need some hot stuff, just give Berlin Chile Traders a call, and they'll send it to you.

Whether you're planning a "hot" party or just enjoy hot and spicy food as part of your regular fare, be sure to pay Jan and her crew at Berlin Chile Traders a visit. You'll be able to get the food and seasonings you've been looking for and beautiful ware to serve it in, as well.

Literally and figuratively, Berlin Chile Traders is "the hottest retail store in town!"

Berlin Chile Traders, 4813-A Main St. (US 62 OH 39), PO Box 56, Berlin, OH 44610, (330) 893-3536; hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.