Bottled Spice Blends

Bottle spice blends are mixtures of herbs and spices. They are usually made ahead of time for convenience. It is a combination of sweet, tart, umami, and spicy flavors that can turn any dish into an irresistible one. These blends were popular since the ancient times and it is widely used across the planet to date. Hence, bottle spice blends are used as a seasoning in cooking. It is popular for flavoring marinades and rubbing raw meat before grilling.

Bottled Spice Blends Trivia

• Bottle spice blends are used in certain rituals and to fulfill a religious obligation.
• Coriander, juniper, fennel, cumin, thyme, and garlic were named in 1550 BCE Egyptian papyri for its specific health benefits.
• The Babylonian Moon God was thought to govern medicinal plants.
• Black pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, and cardamom were first used by Indians hundreds of centuries ago.
• Hippocrates of Kos is known to be the Father of Medicine; he wrote many essays about medicinal plants that include saffron, coriander, marjoram, and mint. 
• Bottle spice blends are sometimes used for perfumes.

Bottled Spice Blends Buying Guide

There are a countless number of spice blends worldwide and Texas alone produces close to a hundred varieties. Here are the most popular and bestselling bottle spice blends in the state, which you can individually check here in our promptuary: blackening spice, border salsa spice, brisket rub, fajita seasoning, mesquite seasoning, habanero lime rub, jalapeño pepper, lime pepper, orange pepper, pinto bean seasoning, chicken barbecue seasoning, steak seasoning, vegetable seasoning, creole seasoning, butt and rib-tickler pork rub, chili spice blend, sausage seasoning, cajun seasoning, taco seasoning, meat tenderizer, crawfish boil, gumbo file, and allspice. Plus, all these spice blends have subvarieties too! They can range from mild to extremely hot and most of them feature healthier dietary labels. You can find MSG-free, non-GMO, reduced-sodium to no-salt-added, low GI to sugar-free, and so on.

Nonetheless, all these spice blends are easy to make at home. However, some find it difficult to get the proportions right and they choose to use store-bought bottle spice blends instead. Hence, here are some things to look out for when you opt to buy the premade ones:

1. All these bottle spice blends can be found in the spice aisle section of your favorite grocery stores.
2. Often, bottle spice blends tend to go heavy on the salt. Check out the sodium content or better yet, opt for no-salt-added, reduced-sodium, or low-sodium, and just add salt as you normally flavor your dishes.
3. Dried-whole spice blends tend to be more aromatic and flavorful than their pulverized counterparts. Thus, the best choice is the one that comes with a grinder.
4. As always, check out the ingredients list and pick the ones with lesser preservatives and hard to pronounce chemicals.

Fortunately, you can get all of these at various farmers’ markets and you can purchase the most natural and organic bottle spice blends while helping the community and small business owners. And the best part is, you can also taste different blends for free!

Bottled Spice Blends Production & Farming in Texas

Some ingredients that are turned into spice blends can be grown in the state of Texas. Our Texas Real Food Promptuary is home to many items that can show you how they are grown and cultivated in the state. Just click on each spice or herb to see how they are individually produced and farmed. On another note, Texas is home to countless numbers of local food vendors and artisans who specialize in producing such wonderful bottle spice blends. Likewise, you can also search for them on our website.

Pesticides, additives, and chemicals:

Although mass-produced bottle spice blends are more convenient than blending one at home, it’s good to know that they might not be our best choice. Not only that these commercially-produced products are usually heavy on salt and tend to provide less flavor, but they sometimes contain additives and chemicals for a lower cost yet fast-producing and shelf-stable products. Thus, here are some additives that we found on best-selling brands:

• MSG – Monosodium Glutamate is used to enhance the flavor of almost any product. It is the one responsible for creating that umami flavor. Although it is generally classified as safe to consume, it can cause headaches, flushing, palpitations, sweating, nausea, numbness, and weakness to some people. It allegedly can cause asthma, brain damages, and even cancer; however, these allegations remained controversial.
• Sodium – Although sodium is a natural food that balances our body fluids, it can cause harm when consumed past its RDA which is 2,300 mg per day.
• Natural and artificial flavorings – These are usually chemically-formulated products that are used to intensify the flavors of the product. Although they are labeled as such due to its very small quantitative participation in the product, it’s always a better option if we stay away from these ingredients. Hence, some of which come in the following names: disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate, disodium succinate, sodium phosphate, soy protein isolate, TBHQ, and alike. 
• Dextrose and Maltodextrin – It is a type of sugar that acts as an artificial sweetener, food neutralizer, and a preservative. Too much consumption of this ingredient can lead to body fluid build-up and high blood sugar.
• Ammonium Bisulfite – This chemical is usually associated with the caramel color ingredient. Although the FDA declared that it is safe to consume, it can cause skin rashes and asthma-like allergy.
• Tricalcium Phosphate – This chemical compound is sometimes abbreviated as TCP. It is a calcium salt of phosphoric acid that is used to fortify the food with calcium. Although it is safe and claimed to be promising when it comes to bone and mineral regeneration, this product, when taken in high amounts, can lead to hypercalcemia, kidney stones, and cardiovascular problems. 
• Sunflower Lecithin – Made from the gum of dehydrated sunflower, this additive acts as a thickening agent, emulsifier, and a mild preservative. It is considered to be generally safe and beneficial to the human body; however, for some people, it causes them nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. 
• Silicon Dioxide – This chemical compound is also known as silica. It is used as a thickener, stabilizer, anticaking agent, and carrier for aroma and flavor. Although it is safe to consume, it can lead to lung problems when consumed past its RDA. 
• Ethoxyquin – This additive is a synthetic antioxidant that is used to preserve food and to prevent scalds and oxidation. Although this additive is regulated and declared safe to consume by the FDA, it has been linked to the induction of white blood cells in our body. This additive is also used as a pesticide in rubber.

Packaging:

Bottle spice blends come in glass bottles. Some come in mills, where there’s an adjustable grinder attached to the top, for a freshly ground blend, while others just have holes to prevent spilling. The holes usually feature one to two sizes so you can choose which one is more suitable for your needs.

Enjoying Bottled Spice Blends

Bottle spice blends are commonly used in rubbing meats like beef, pork, chicken, and seafood prior to grilling. It can also be enjoyed by seasoning vegetables, casseroles, stews, and more. 

Storage:

Bottle spice blends should be kept in an airtight glass container or a sealable, thick plastic bag. They should be stored in a dark, dry, and cool place away from sunlight and away from hot and humid zones like stoves, grills, or ovens. Bottle spice blends practically last forever, that’s why they usually don’t have an expiration date. However, their flavor weakens over time. These blends can retain its freshness for 1 to 2 years, but for optimal flavor, use the entire batch within 6 months. Otherwise, just remember to adjust your recipe and add more in case your spice blends get old.

Let’s get blendin’!

While our Texas Real Food Promptuary is home to many spice blends’ recipes, below is a quick recipe that is truly home to the Texas state. It can be rubbed into meats like chicken, pork, and even beef. It also lasts long enough, so it wouldn’t hurt to blend this ahead of time.

Yield: 2 1/2 cups / 16 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup paprika
• 2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tbsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp onion powder
• 2 tbsp salt
• 2 tbsp black pepper, ground

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and transfer it in a sealable or air-tight container. Store accordingly for later use. 
2. To use this spice blend, simply rub a handful or less onto your favorite meat. Slow-cook, roast, broil, smoke, or grill the meat and pair it with some fresh salad or side dishes for a wonderful feast.