Old Bay Seasoning is most commonly used as a seasoning for seafood, such as shelfish.
Old Bay Seasoning originated in Baltimore more than 70 years ago. It was originally used solely as a spice for seafood and became an instant hit among crab and shrimp lovers. The original name for the seasoning was, "Delicious Brand Shrimp and Crab Seasoning." Old Bay Seasoning is now used on much more than just seafood.
Celery Salt
Celery salt is the first ingredient in Old Bay Seasoning. It is a common food additive and seasoning, usually put on eggs. Celery salt is made from table salt and celery seeds. Sometimes, it is also made from the celery root. The seeds are finely ground then blended with salt to add a mild flavor to the salt.
Spices
Old Bay Seasoning contains a blend of several spices. The spices used are: mustard, red pepper, black pepper, bay leaves, cloves, allspice, mace, cardamom, cinnamon and ginger.
Paprika
The final ingredient in Old Bay Seasoning is paprika. Paprika is a blend of ground Capsicum fruits, which are more commonly referred to as bell peppers. Paprika has a hot, spicy flavor, but sometimes it can be quite mild. It is also a healthy seasoning rich in vitamin C, which comes from the peppers from which it's made.
Uses
Old Bay Seasoning is an all-purpose seasoning. It's mainly suggested for use on seafood, but it can be used on french fries, sandwiches, soups, eggs, vegetables, poultry and just about anything to which you would normally add salt. Old Bay is even used in cocktails, such as Bloody Marys. Old Bay Seasoning should be used as a substitute for ordinary table salt, since it already contains a large amount of salt.
Tags: made from, ingredient Seasoning, more than, table salt