What it is
A blend of celery salt, paprika, black pepper and other spices. Baltimoreans put it on seafood, fries, corn, popcorn, chicken and the rim of a Bloody Mary.
How to eat it
- Shake it on fries and corn.
- Mix into butter for dipping crab or shrimp.
- Crab houses often use J.O. spice, a coarser blend, for steaming.
The story
Old Bay was created in Baltimore in 1939 by Gustav Brunn, a German Jewish immigrant. McCormick, the spice company founded in Baltimore, bought the brand in 1990.
Local tip: A tin makes an easy, cheap souvenir.
Tips from travellers
Eaten at Old Bay seasoning recently? Share what to order. The first good one goes right here.