When was the last time you actually paused to think about the Italian seasoning you dashed on your pasta? Seasonings are the last thing on anyone’s mind. Sure, people are always on the lookout for a good seasoning blend, and they can be some of the most hoarded items in people’s pantries, but they are also mundane, little pots collecting dust in your spice rack.
Little did I know that my seasoning purchase in the UK would lead me to write an entire blog analyzing why my American seasonings felt different from those around the world. Welcome to yet another culinary discovery trail where we explore one of the most overlooked items in the kitchen: the humble seasoning jar.
Why the origin of your seasoning matters
Seasonings are incredible to have in your spice rack. They have the quiet power to give lots of flavor to your food. Without them, food would taste bland. But seasonings also do one other thing. Some seasonings are so unique that their flavor are hard to replicate. Think capers vs anchovies in pasta puttanesca.
Some dishes never end up tasting the way you imagined them. And your seasoning probably had a lot to do with it. While you can always find the closest alternatives to a seasoning, the fingerprint some seasonings lend a dish will always be unique and irreplaceable.
My recent trip reminded me gently that even basic seasonings like Italian seasoning and pepper can vary wildly depending on their origin. Each region breeds varieties to suit its palate, and knowing which seasoning to use for your recipe is an absolute game-changer.
To bring or not to bring your seasoning jar when you travel.
I don’t take seasoning with me when I travel, unless I am strapped for time. I love to cook in Airbnbs when I travel. The surprise that local ingredients add to your dish is a delightful experience that gives you a true taste of the region through its produce and ingredients. It is also interesting to see how simple, everyday ingredients behave differently, even when they look and taste similar elsewhere.
For example, tomatoes taste different depending on the variety and region. Some are sweet, and some pack in a bit more umami. Or the sourness of plain yogurt can change as the cultures change from one region to another.
In addition to the experience and comfort cooking in Airbnbs brings, I am also curious to see the spices owners and previous guests have used in their cooking. Seasonings simply let you add flavor to dishes without the hassle of prepping and rationing fresh produce. Not to forget the possibility of them going to waste at the end of your stay.
Finding the perfect jar of seasoning
We all know America’s obsession with cilantro. Yet I find rosemary somehow dominates many seasonings.
When I went to London, I bought a generic in-house jar of Italian seasoning at a local Sainsbury’s. On first sniff, I noticed earthy, mildly pungent oregano, unlike the seasoning I was used to back home.
It was better than I expected. But it also reminded me how every country imagines what Italian seasoning tastes like. Some double down on the oregano and some more towards rosemary.
Do Italians actually use Italian seasonings? Or is it a convenience other cultures use for a quick Italian weeknight dinner?
The UK seasoning had a certain freshness, which, in all fairness, was fresher than the ones in my pantry back home, getting staler by the day. I used the UK seasoning sparingly so I could save some to bring back to the US and chose to pick some more on my next stop – France.
I grabbed another jar of Italian seasoning from a little grocer in our Provençal town, so I could keep the UK one for back home. The French seasoning was from a brand called Ducros, a regular household name in France. Nothing fancy. The only problem, though, was that this one was heaps better than just the UK one. It was quite possibly the best Italian seasoning I had tried.
Somehow, all this back-and-forth drama with seasoning triggered a jog down memory lane and had me thinking about every seasoning that etched a spot in my culinary heart. I love the galore of seasonings America has to offer, but only a few had made it to my spice rack. I couldn’t help feeling a little gaslit by American seasonings at this point, almost as if my American jar was a compromise perfumed with rosemary.
Why American Seasonings Are Different from the Rest of the World
Italian seasonings are among the most practical household seasonings to have in your kitchen. With top aromatic notes like sweet basil, earthy oregano, and of course, pine-like rosemary, it’s the perfect dash of flavor for pasta and baked dishes.
Somehow, it seemed strange that America, a land known for its convenience, had actually missed the mark on seasoning jars, or at least that’s what I thought. Yes, I know it’s an exaggeration, but can you blame me? I have been too spoiled by all the options available in the land of opportunity.
So, without ruminating further on my undigested thoughts, I dug a little deeper to understand what was going on in the land of American seasonings. What I learned was that America defines convenience differently. But as immigrants, it’s also important to look for linguistic differences. Think chips vs crisps.
Italian seasoning blends from around the world lean heavily on garlic; brands like McCormick just pack their jars loosely with a burst of freedom and a sprig of convenience. It took immigrant-me only 15 long years to realize this little fact.
The bottom line is Americans love standardization. It’s, in fact, one of the things that’s great about the country, actually. Having everything measured precisely and following a very specific process takes out the guesswork and decision fatigue. For instance, I can blindly pick up a food canister from a home goods store here to hold 2lbs of dry goods, and it will do exactly what it says.
This system extends into grocery aisles, too. American companies don’t make blanket assumptions about how a cook might approach a dish. So they focus on offering flexibility, letting the cook choose ingredients they like to create a personal blend that suits their palate.
So a standard Italian seasoning assumes the cook may already be mincing garlic, while a seasoning like spicy Italian seasoning is for the cook who doesn’t want to chop garlic and wants a bouquet of flavors.
Now that’s the America I have always known, and it is convenience at its best!
The Immigrant’s Dilemma in the Grocery Aisle
No one understands the pain of landing in the wrong aisle because of differences in context and usage as an immigrant, even after living in another country long enough. Just when I thought I really understood America, here I was learning one more thing after 15 years of living in the US: Italian Seasoning.
It’s not that other countries do not offer convenience. Their definition of it is different. You’re likely to find a “one-and-done” formula that gives you a very specific framework to work within. It’s really on the consumer to read the label to know if a blend actually works for you. At the end of the day, it’s really about learning the ways of the land, which makes it easier to get the desired result. In my case, what I thought was a culinary miss actually turned out to be a capitalistic and culinary win.
How to Find the Perfect Italian Seasoning in an American Supermarket
So is there an alternative to the seasonings like The Ducros here in America? The answer is yes. The Ducros blend stood out for its generous addition of chili flakes and garlic. The closest alternative I found is McCormick’s, which they call spicy Italian seasoning. Dash also makes a great salt-free version.
A good seasoning stays etched in your memory forever. Sometimes it hides in a cozy nook in the corner of your brain but is never forgotten.
For example, I still remember that oregano seasoning packet that came complimentary with my pizza in India in 1998. Or this New Orleans Cajun Seasoning that was there in a condo in Hawaii. It simply made the best omelettes and baked potatoes.
Some seasonings can be that special. Others collect dust, a subtle reminder that they’re waiting for the right recipe to come along.
Seasonings are also personal. I went searching for a simple jar of Italian seasoning. But while buying some abroad, I happily bumped into one that defined what a good jar of Italian seasoning should be for me and my family. A fragrant mix of herbs, plus a generous dash of garlic and some hot chili flakes. That’s my kind of seasoning. Is there a specific blend that you prefer?