Can-Do Spirit
Old Bay Seasoning hails from Baltimore and was created in 1939 by German immigrant Gustav Brunn as the perfect spice-and-herb mix for accentuating, not overpowering, Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, scallops, clams, oysters, and other delicately flavored seafoods. On OldBay.com, modern-day owner McCormick & Co. attributes the seasoning’s success to eighteen ingredients, but only lists (in this order) salt, celery seed, and “spices” that include red pepper, black pepper, and paprika. I doubt we’ll learn the dozen or so other spices anytime soon.