Summer around the Chesapeake region is practically synonymous with Old Bay. Produced by McCormick & Company, this mainstay of Maryland culture is primarily used as a seafood seasoning—mostly crabs, but sometimes fish too. It’s also popular as a seasoning for potato chips, popcorn, chicken, soup, vegetables, and, even, chocolate (don’t believe us? Try it!).
The story goes that Old Bay was invented by Gustav Brunn, a German immigrant who fled Bavaria during World War II and came to the United States with his spice grinder in tow. His signature seafood seasoning blend would take its name from the Baltimore Steam Packet Company, colloquially known as the Old Bay Line, which operated passenger ships along the Chesapeake. The spice blend was bought by McCormick & Company in 1990.
This blend includes 18 herbs and spices, but the primary ones are salt, celery seed, red pepper, black pepper, and paprika. Although those five are the only ones of the 18 you’ll see printed on the McCormick ingredient label, discerning palates will also detect the taste of mustard, cinnamon, and Bay leaves.
And while it’s delicious, did you also know that this seasoning blend could have some serious health benefits? Here’s what you’ll find in every sprinkle of Old Bay:
Salt. Salt gets a bad reputation because of its sodium content. Most people consume way too much sodium and suffer from high blood pressure because of it. But sodium is still an important electrolyte your body needs for fluid regulation, especially if you’re sweating a lot in summer heat. The problem is that you need only 200 milligrams a day, and most people eat more than 5,000 milligrams a day from processed food. The American Heart Association recommends aiming to keep your intake below 1,500 milligrams, and a quarter-teaspoon serving of Old Bay has only 160 milligrams—so go ahead and shake on a generous amount of seasoning.
Celery Seed. These earthy-tasting little seeds are a great source of minerals, including calcium for strong bones, magnesium for blood sugar control, and iron for red blood cell formation, as well as antioxidants. According to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, celery seed has been hailed for its medicinal qualities for thousands of years, and today is still regarded for its use as a diuretic.
Red Pepper. Also known as cayenne, ground red pepper is renowned for packing some heat. That heat not only gives your food a real kick but also might help in weight control. Capsaicin, the agent in peppers that produce heat, give a marginal boost to your metabolism; it’s also believed to suppress the hunger hormone ghrelin, so there’s a chance you’ll eat less throughout the day. Cayenne peppers have been shown to reduce blood pressure in animal studies, and can increase your body’s digestive fluid, thus improving gut health. Don’t go overboard, however—consuming too much red pepper at one time could give you a stomachache.
Black Pepper. This is the everyday pepper that you keep alongside salt on your kitchen countertop. It’s rich in an alkaloid known as piperine, which can help prevent cancer, improve digestion, and even activate the brain to stave off depression. Black pepper is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants, and it enhances the bioavailability of nutrients in food, making it easier for your body to absorb and use them. Some people even turn to black pepper to help alleviate the symptoms of coughs and colds.
Paprika. Paprika gets its same bright red color from the capsaicin that’s found in cayenne peppers. In addition to having many of the same benefits of cayenne, paprika is rich in vitamin A, vitamin E, and iron. Paprika can even lower your levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), also known as the bad form of cholesterol, thus improving your heart health.
We don’t necessarily know these seasonings are included in Old Bay (that is, they’re not included on the ingredient label), but it sure tastes as if they’re in there:
Mustard Seed. These mighty little seeds deliver selenium and magnesium, two nutrients that are known for fighting inflammation. Mustard seed is also rich in the phytonutrient glucosinolates, which helps prevent cancer.
Cinnamon. You might associate cinnamon with sweet foods like cookies and strudel, but this spice can be used in moderation to give a kick to savory foods. Cinnamon’s most prominent health benefit is in the way it can fight hyperglycemia. Cinnamon slows down stomach emptying and improves your body’s response to insulin, two key factors in managing blood sugar levels and preventing spikes.
Bay Leaves. Bay leaves are hailed for helping with digestive health, being able to both soothe upset stomachs and lessen the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and Celiac disease. They also contain a compound called linalool, which is used in aromatherapy to lower stress hormones and reduce anxiety.
Maryland-Style Crab Cakes with Old Bay
If knowing more about the health benefits of Old Bay has put you in the mood for some serious seafood, why not put your seasoning to use with some classic crab cakes? We’re sure that every Marylander has their own recipe they prefer, but in case you don’t, here’s one you can try.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons Old Bay
- 1 teaspoon
- Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon
- Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon
- mayonnaise
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 pound crabmeat, drained and picked through for shells
DIRECTIONS:
Combine all the ingredients except crabmeat and breadcrumbs in a large bowl and whisk together. Gradually add the breadcrumbs, followed by the crabmeat. Divide the mix into 4–6 equal portions and form into patties about 1 inch thick. Heat a skillet with 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat and fry patties until they’re golden brown, about four minutes on each side. Serve warm (with more Old Bay on the side for additional seasoning to taste).
