Skhug

Zhug

Commercially prepared red skhug
Alternative names	Sahawiq, daqqus, sahowqa, skhug
Type	Condiment
Place of origin	Yemen
Region or state	Arabian Peninsula
Associated national cuisine	Yemeni, Israeli
Main ingredients	Hot peppers, garlic, coriander
Variations	Red sahawiq, green sahawiq, brown skhug

Zhug, skhug (from Yemeni Arabic Sahawiq (سحاوق), Hebrew: סחוג‎) is a Middle Eastern hot sauce originating in Yemeni cuisine. It is very popular in the Arabian Peninsula. In the Gulf region it is also called daqqus (Arabic: دقوس‎, translit. daqqūs‎). It was brought to Israel by Yemenite Jews, the condiment is now a staple of Israeli cuisine.

Sahawiq is made from fresh red or green hot peppers seasoned with coriander, garlic, salt, black cumin (optional) and various spices, the chief constituency being cumin, black pepper, 3 or 4 cardamom pods (seeds removed and crushed) and a dash of ground cloves. Some also add caraway seed. Its color may be red or green depending on the type of peppers used in its preparation. The respective varieties are called skhug adom ("red skhug") and skhug yarok ("green skhug") in Israel, while skhug chum ("brown skhug") is skhug yarok with tomatoes. In Israel, sahawiq is also sometimes referred to by the generic term harif (Hebrew: חריף; lit. "hot/spicy"). It is a popular condiment at Israeli falafel and shawarma stands, and served with hummus.