In what year was Costa Rican condiment Lizano sauce introduced? Lizano sauce was introduced in 1920.
The condiment was developed in Costa Rica by the Lizano company. Its early history is linked to Próspero Jiménez, who first created the sauce in his bar in Alajuela. After it became popular locally, he worked with Próspero Lizano, whose factory helped establish the commercial brand and its distinctive green label.
Lizano is a thin, smooth, light-brown sauce with a slightly sweet, acidic flavor and gentle spice from ingredients such as black pepper and cumin. Its vegetable-and-spice profile makes it closer in everyday use to a savory table sauce or marinade than to a typical tomato salsa.
It is especially associated with gallo pinto and tamales, and is widely used with eggs, rice, beans, fish, cheese and meat. A common mix-up is confusing the introduction date with later ownership changes: Best Foods acquired the company in 1991, and Unilever later became the owner.