Old Bay Seasoning: It’s Hard to Miss These Days
Ever since German immigrant Gustav Brunn created the Old Bay Seasoning blend back in 1939[1], it has become synonymous with the identity and culture of my home state of Maryland. The familiar yellow and red can is found in almost every Maryland kitchen, and for those of you who haven’t tried it, you really should. Not only is it great on seafood (its original purpose), but its versatility adds a “Maryland flavor” to chicken, beef, or even scrambled eggs. Some folks put in on everything. Old Bay sprinkled on my green beans? Why not?
The brand was sold off to spice giant McCormick back in 1990, and since then, they’ve expanded the product from a mostly regional spice to a national (and even worldwide) phenomenon. The “original” spice mix has also expanded its flavor line, now offering a lemon and herb mix, a garlic and herb mix, “blackened” seasoning, and even a “hot” version.
In recent years, it appears as if some young marketing hot-shot has taken hold of the reigns and is running wild. Old Bay introduced a hot sauce in 2020 (right before the Super Bowl), and its first run sold out in just twenty minutes. Other companies have partnered with McCormick to capitalize on the Old Bay mania. Flying Dog Brewery introduced an Old Bay infused beer. A recent limited release of Goldfish crackers (Old Bay flavored) sold out before one could even find it on store shelves. There are Old Bay flavored potato chips, popcorn, cheese curls, peanuts, Bloody Mary mixes, and even an Old Bay infused vodka (but good luck finding some of that).
That’s just the food side of the house. There are t-shirts, towels, hats, shirts, stickers, banners, keychains, flags, lacrosse sticks (yes, you read that right), and even a superhero (Captain Maryland, who sports an Old Bay utility belt). Residents of the “Old Line” state sure do love their native spice, and they also love to advertise it.
My brother (who is a producer/editor out in Hollywood) was doing a commercial shoot once with the cast of the TV show “Modern Family”, and was talking with series co-star (and Maryland native) Julie Bowen (“Claire Dunphy”). She quickly pegged him as a fellow Marylander with the telling quote – “I can hear the Old Bay in your voice.” It’s a compliment of the highest order.
Yeah.
It’s a bit of an obsession.
We know.
Grab yourself a container and join the Old Bay army today!
[1] Wikipedia contributors, “Old Bay Seasoning,” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Old_Bay_Seasoning&oldid=1103122713 (accessed August 19, 2022).
3 thoughts on “Old Bay Seasoning: It’s Hard to Miss These Days”
This admission will probably result in dire consequences but I don’t like the taste of Old Bay. A little of it on shrimp or crabs is okay but to me, it is so overpowering that it masks the taste of whatever you put it on.
Old Bay potato chips, yes. On green beans, to quote an old “Ballamer” sport’s caster,“ Ain’t no way”!
You old enough to know who I’m quoting?
You’d be referring, of course, to Mr. Chuck Thompson. “Ain’t the beer cold!”