I can not say I was ever good at culinary tasks but as of recent I have taken an interest in seasonings and condiments. While I am sort of a two or three trick pony in the indoor kitchen, I have truly honed my BBQ-ing skills. When we moved to our new home it came with a fancy high end outdoor kitchen which is equipped with all Blaze appliances. Couple that with the fact that the BBQ season here is 12 months, you can see why I have gravitated more towards BBQ-ing now.

That leads me to what I wanted to really wanted to talk about here, spices and condiments. NO - they are NOT all created equal! My wife and I had always bought whatever was on sale at Costco, Publix, etc. and quite honestly we never realized there was such a difference. Yes, they are cheap - but now I realize there is a huge difference. I have discovered the best readily available spices are made by McCormick. Their peppercorns are so much more flavorful, their cinnamon is a true cinnamon taste and comes from real cinnamon sources - unlike the Costco Saigon style cinnamon that tastes different and is less flavorful (and by the way can be toxic - look it up)! When we used the Saigon style cinnamon I kept wondering why it did not have the familiar flavor I grew up with - now I know! The McCormick vanilla extract has a better taste - more true to what we are used to and less watery if you will. I am discovering that all across the board when it comes to spices and condiments the admittedly pricier McCormick's is the only way to fly - if you have a discerning pallet or truly care about your baking, cooking and BBQ-ing. Regarding cost.... if you do decide to pay a little more for the best, buy the McCormicks on Amazon in the larger sizes. They usually last a long time anyway, so the extra cost won't break the bank.

Up until recently, I guess I lived in a bubble! I never really paid much attention to these things before, but since I have changed my lifestyle's eating habits (not a diet - but a lifestyle change) I have been paying more attention to what I put in my body and how it tastes. Most of our parents always bought McCormicks and so many of us never gave it a second thought, but now with Amazon, Costco, BJ's, Walmart, Target, etc. selling these things, they need to compete and one way in which they do that is to cheapen what they sell. That in turn takes a toll on quality.

I actually can't believe I am talking about spices!! It is just so out of my wheelhouse, at least up until now. I had to mention this because like I said, I have been slowly and constantly been brainwashed to believe that what is sold in many of the big box stores is the same - it's not! I told my wife from now on, McCormick brand spices and condiments are what we are buying. Will it completely change your life - of course not, but if you like BBQ-ing, cooking or baking and take it seriously, more than likely you already know this. If not, give it a try - it does make a difference.

My mom, who had a catering business, always said you could make a pumpkin pie out of sawdust if you got the spices right.

You may hate me later for this but you should check out Penzeys Spices. They may not have a store where you live but if they do you should go by.

Excellent observation.

__________________
Life of the party until 8:00PM

We used Kirkland cinnamon for quite awhile. The we found out it contains acceptable, but high acceptable, levels of lead. Not interested in that.
We have gone back to McCormicks.
We use nothing that would cause acid reflux like liquids.
Spices, we got spices.

__________________
I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

Bingo, chief38! You're spot on. If you're pleased with McCormick, you'll be in love with these folks: World Spice Years ago, I'd make the trek to Pike Place Market to visit the store. These days, I'm too far away and have no desire to travel there so I get them online. Wonderful stuff and far above grocery store stuff.

A few of my favorites:

Svaneti Seasoned Salt

America's Seasoned Salt

Adobo

Tellicherry Black Peppercorn

Prices have certainly gone up over the years, but compared to the cost of food, good spices are still pennies in the big picture.

I agree, I happened into their Mpls store years ago and have ordered online since.
Vanilla: Watkins or Mexican. You want pure vanilla, not extract.

__________________
_______________
Super Snooper

Buying ground spices can be a problem for the home cook. They start to loose some of their flavor once processed.

Even using quality spice dealers like The Spice Store leaves me sharing with spice trading friends and family to keep the freshest possible working for us.

I remember during my Army years the mess halls kept vanilla extract under lock and key. High alcohol content allowed mixing with milk or soft drinks to create some potent beverages for those inclined to binge drinking. Perpetrators were easily identified, smelling like a kitchen full of fresh-baked cookies.

While in Vietnam we had ration cards allowing purchase of either 4 bottles of booze or 4 cases of beer monthly (subject to availability, and no alcohol allowed in the field or on forward operating bases). Lots of trading, of course, but the end of the month could bring some desperate times for the heavy boozers.

Thread drift here, but that's how my memory works these days.

__________________
Life of the party until 8:00PM

My recent BBQ-ing upgrade of equipment and practice has brought me to the next "spice and condiment level" I guess. LOL!! I constantly look to improve all my techniques - even if they are only small improvements at first, they do accumulate and can be noticed. My friends have given me a great compliment by telling me my steaks and BBQ fare have finally exceeded theirs. I really take that as a big compliment as they are pretty good at it too. IMHO I think a lot has to do with the grill itself. This Blaze grill gets super hot, sears in the juices and cooks fast as to no dry out the meat. I make a very thick Ribeye in 7 1/2 minutes - we like it like the picture below. For those who like it a little more done, I can do that for them with pleasure.

Attached Images

	IMG_6899.jpg (123.6 KB, 35 views)
	IMG_6859.jpg (130.4 KB, 28 views)
	IMG_6530.jpg (78.7 KB, 28 views)
	IMG_4764.jpg (86.7 KB, 27 views)
	IMG_4765.jpg (86.7 KB, 22 views)

Beautiful set up! Covet, covet, covet.

__________________
Life of the party until 8:00PM

Thanks for the heads up - will check out their website!

Well, now off to Total Wine & More. Gotta get a good bottle of bourbon & a bottle of wine for dinner at a good friends house this evening. My wife made chocolate covered strawberries too - her signature desert. Should be fun!

Penzeys did have some good spices.

Then the CEO made public comments about people of a certain political party affiliation were not welcome.

A few months later, two local retail outlets closed.

Laundry detergent or needlepoint next week?

Hungarian Paprika, Pure Mexican Vanilla, McCormick course black pepper, oregano and garlic powder. Fresh garlic, and fine ground crushed red pepper. That about does it for me and seasoning

__________________
Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

Penzey's has a store here in KC. It's next to a pie shop so a trip there is enjoyable. I have found BBQ spices from Mild Bill's Gunpowder Foods, in Corsicana, TX are an excellent addition to the smoker experience.

Salt
Pepper
Tabasco
Pretty much the three amigos for me. The problem with spices is that they GET STALE. Which is why I try not to buy a variety as I usually use them once or twice and the next time I want to use hem, they turn into a cake. Nothing worse than using old spices that have lost their flavor and nothing more maddening that realizing you are throwing out little bottles of stuff that cost around 3-6 dollars a pop.
I've gone to seasoning blends for that reason. I like K-Pauls' Salmon seasoning which has a sugan rather than a salt base and use it on pretty much any pork I am going to put on the pit.
As far as seasonings, the big three (onions, celery and bell pepper) I buy the pre chopped stuff for the same reason-what does one do with a bunch of celery bought to use just one or two pieces. I also use jarred minced garlic instead of fresh for the same reason.
Don't get me wrong, I like fresh, but unless I am cooking a stop load of whatever and can use up what I buy, the frozen stuff and blends just work better for me.
Of and plus one on the Mexican Vanilla! Some o dat mixed with cinnamon and sugah on a sweet tater with some butta for a little saltiness taste pretty good!

As far as bar b que sauce I fund that ya gotta go pretty far to beat Sweet Baby Ray's or if you want tart, try Jack Russel's

__________________
Forum consigliere

Todays super store spices are "OK" for cooking but

there are higher quality spices on line but they will cost more
for how thet up the flavor in your cooking.

Vanilla is one item that can go from a D to a A+ with all the liquid samples, out there,
let along using the seeds in the dried bean !!

Have fun.

barbecue and spices = Jamaican jerked baby backs, hickory or mesquite smoked

Attached Images

	94281427_10215554580281141_6629075695442067456_n.jpg (118.0 KB, 8 views)
	94485171_10215554566400794_2963074993795104768_n.jpg (137.0 KB, 5 views)

Yes, Penzeys does sell high-quality spices. Not the best, by any means, but high-quality.

However, CEO Bill Penzey has stated publicly via his newsletter and elsewhere that gun owners are "stupid" and that there is no such thing as "a responsible gun owner."

Are you stupid? Bill Penzey thinks you are.

Are you a responsible gun owner? Bill Penzey thinks you don't exist.

You are free to buy your spices wherever you choose.

We entertain an awful lot! There are always family, friends & neighbors here. Nothing stays around that long!

As far as BBQ / Steak Sauce goes, Peter Luger's is about the best I've ever had. Thankfully they do have it here in Publix as Peter Lugers is in NY. If you ever get the chance to try a bottle - don't pass it up! I also use it as a salad dressing. Incredible!

I am allergic to Garlic but it took me many years to figure out why I kept getting sick. Finally, I figured it out. I have not had any Garlic for over 40 years - except rarely when a restaurant screws up - then I get sick. Onions I can eat like apples - it's just Garlic.

OK - Laundry Detergent next week - LOL

Famous Dave’s Devil’s Spit™ BBQ Sauce | Famous Products

hickory smoked country style pork ribs that were marinated in Dave's Devil spit sauce. With a side of smoked Cajun spiced cream cheese

Attached Images

296986158_10219942366453053_2750714276478963122_n.jpg (102.6 KB, 5 views)

I love sweet taters with brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon, I'll have to try adding a smidge of Mexican vanilla.

__________________
_______________
Super Snooper

Wait until you discover the wide, wonderful, world of salts! Not garlic salt or onion salt but sea salt, Himalayan salt, Hawaiian salt, etc!

Kevin

__________________
Unshared knowledge is wasted.

I remember reading about the pennsy thing. I boycott any company that pulls any kind **** like this.

Ahhh Total wine. I frequent the one in claymont De.

We must have no less than 7 or 8 different salts in my house now as we have been trying new ones every week - haven't decided which one we like best yet. We tried a new one at a friends BBQ just this evening and think it's called Celtic Salt. He put it on the Ribeye's he BBQ'd. I know this sounds silly but it tasted a bit more salty than normal salt but I did not see how much he used.

Total Wine is a GREAT store! Their prices are no better than our local Costco but they have a much much better selection and a huge variety. Costco only has the basics. Once in a while Costco will get something really special but you have to jump on it fast because sometimes it's a one shot deal.

Spices are great but only as good as the knowledge of the person using them. For example too much ginger can destroy a recipe and there's no going back once the damage is done.

I stick to prepared spice blends letting others get the mixture right.

I swear by Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning. I put it in or on a lot of things. It was a mainstay for me when I was on the competitive chili circuit. And if you had my stuffed mushrooms, Tony Chachere's is what put that zing into the stuffed mushrooms. They are not kidding when they say it's "Great on Everything."

Spice IS the variety of life..
we have a kaleidoscope of spices from various sources but I agree that McCormick's is wonderful and consistent.. and has been for generations... we are also fond of Watkins products.

Speaking of McCormick’s spices, the city of Baltimore needed their headquarters building for the expansion of the harbor project. It is said that the aroma of spices lingered in the air for months after they imposed the building. I remember visiting that area as a child when Pop called on ships in the harbor.

Kevin

__________________
Unshared knowledge is wasted.

Wait until you are soaking Madagascar beans in Vodka for 5 months and rolling your own vanilla.

__________________
Front sight and squeeze

This was the BEST ever sauce that I have ever had but they stopped making it.

I have to "Doctor up" the store bought a little, for my taste buds.

"There can be only one."

__________________
Music/Sports/Beer fan

+1 on Watkins. Wife will buy no other brand of vanilla.

My side of the family has been buying Watkins spices since at least the 1930's. Way more potent than store bought.

Watkins


– Watkins

__________________
SWCA #3356, SWHF#611