Seasoned salt explained

Seasoned salt is a blend of table salt, herbs, spices, other flavourings,[1] and sometimes monosodium glutamate (MSG).[2] It is sold in supermarkets and is commonly used in fish and chip shops and other take-away food shops. Seasoned salt is often the standard seasoning on foods such as chicken, French fries, deep-fried seafood and potatoes.[3]

Australia

Chicken salt

Chicken salt was originally developed in the 1970s by Peter Brinkworth in Gawler, South Australia to season chicken for rotisseries. This recipe was purchased by Mitani Group in 1979, and is now commonly used on chips (french fries) throughout Australia.[4] [5] [6]

The first recipe for chicken salt consisted of salt, onion powder, garlic powder, celery salt, paprika, chicken bouillon and monosodium glutamate (MSG), along with some unspecified herbs and spices. There are versions of chicken salt that use chicken flavouring as well as vegan versions.[7]

United Kingdom

American chip spice

Invented in the 1970s in Hull and claimed to have been inspired by seasoned salt used in American diners, "chip spice" was introduced into the United Kingdom by Rod and Brenda Wilson; the recipe is paprika and salt-based.[8] A chilli-based variant is also available. The brand American Chip Spice is now owned by Wilson's Seasonings.

Mesmorfries

Mesmorfries was created in 2022 in Hull by Daniel Howard. It is inspired by similar seasoned salt recipes, and has a subtle smoky flavour. Mesmorfries is manufactured by MES Seasonings and is primarily marketed in the local area.

United States

Types

Lawry's, the oldest commonly used "seasoned salt" in the US, was originally developed for seasoning steaks in the 1930s.[9] [10]

Morton Season-All is the #2 seasoned salt in the US by market share.[11]

Cajun and Creole seasoning. In Louisiana and the surrounding states, many companies make Cajun/Creole seasonings. It is a spicy blend of onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, oregano or thyme, salt, pepper, and chili powder. Brands include Tony Chachere's, Zatarain's and Paul Prudhomme.[12]

Old Bay is a celery salt-based seasoned salt commonly used on seafood.[13]

Market

The seasoned salt industry in the United States sells $100 million in seasoned salt annually. According to the US Federal Trade Commission, two brands make up 80% of the market.[14]

The combined marketshare of Lawry's seasoned salt and Season-All was of sufficient concern that the FTC required McCormick, then-owner of the Season-All brand, to sell it to Morton as a condition of McCormick purchasing Lawry's in 2008.[15]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Seasoned Salt . iFoodTV . 30 December 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131029200750/http://www.ifood.tv/network/seasoned_salt . 29 October 2013 . dmy-all .
  2. Book: Campbell, Regina . Regina's International Vegetarian Favorites . 2003 . 153.
  3. News: A grain of chicken salt is too much . Deborah . Brown . . 19 February 2009 .
  4. News: Liaw. Adam. Adam Liaw. Chicken salt: we find the creator of an Australian classic – and he tells us everything. 10 April 2018. the Guardian. 10 April 2018. en.
  5. News: 2022-09-20 . Chicken salt creator reveals all in new film . en-AU . ABC News . 2022-09-20.
  6. Web site: Chicken salt: the rise and fall (and rise again?) of Australia's favourite condiment. Adam. Liaw. 4 April 2018. the Guardian.
  7. Web site: Werner . Tommy . 16 May 2019 . What Is Chicken Salt? It's Australia's Secret Umami Bomb . Epicurious . Condé Nast .
  8. Web site: Eleanor Churchill . 3 March 2016 . A Sprinkle of Chip Spice . https://web.archive.org/web/20160414042402/https://www.hull2017.co.uk/discover/article/sprinkle-of-spice/ . 14 April 2016 . Originally, John’s close friends Rob and Brenda Wilson came up with the idea of using spiced salt and paprika when visiting America during the late 70s.
  9. Web site: Lawry's prime rib for $1.25; original Lawry's celebrates 75 years. Betty. Hallock. Los Angeles Times. 21 May 2013 .
  10. Web site: Lawry's The Prime Rib: The Story of an L.A. Icon.
  11. Web site: McCormick gets OK on Lawry's.
  12. Web site: 20 February 2013 . Taste testing store-bought Creole seasonings. Hastings . Michael . Winston-Salem Journal. en. 2018-12-08.
  13. Web site: Tomlinson . Mary . 11 December 2017 . What's Really in Old Bay Seasoning? . Coastal Living . Meredith Corporation . 9 March 2019 . 6 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200806010949/https://www.coastalliving.com/food/what-is-in-old-bay-seasoning . dead .
  14. Web site: FTC Challenges McCormick's Acquisition of Unilever's Lawry's and Adolph's Brands. 30 July 2008.
  15. Web site: Crowell & Moring LLP . 4 August 2008 . McCormick Agrees to Divest Seasoned-Salt Business .