In 1939, Gustav Brunn left Germany and arrived in the
Chesapeake Bay area. Fifty-one years later, the blend of spices that became the signature of the area was purchased by
McCormick & Co.
Traditionally added to seafood, especially crabs and shrimp, Old Bay Seasoning is now used to flavor chicken, corn on the cob, hamburgers, potato salad, french fries (thanks czeano)... anything that you want to taste like the Chesapeake. The taste evokes imagery of small seaside restaurants, beaches, and ocean air.
Old Bay comes in a yellow tin with one vertical and one horizontal blue bar and a red lid. You can buy it in two sizes, six ounces, and one pound. If you can't find it in your area (it's pretty much confined to the Mid-Atlantic states), or don't want to order it from McCormick, you can make your own:
- 1 tablespoon celery salt
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- pinch ground dry mustard
- pinch mace
- pinch cinnamon
- pinch cardamom
- pinch allspice
- pinch ground clove
- pinch ginger
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
Store in a sealed container.
Makes 4 teaspoons.
Ingredient List and Nutrition Information
Celery Salt (Salt, Celery Seed), Spices (including Mustard, Red Pepper, Black Pepper, Bay (Laurel) Leaves, Cloves, Allspice (Pimento), Ginger, Mace, Cardamom, Cinnamon), and Paprika
Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 0.0
- Fat: 0.0 g
- Protein: 0.0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0.0 mg
- Sodium: 160.0 mg