Tajín Clásico, often referred to as simply Tajín (), is a Mexican spice mix consisting predominantly of lime,

chili pepper Chili peppers, also spelled chile or chilli ( ), are varieties of fruit#Berries, berry-fruit plants from the genus ''Capsicum'', which are members of the nightshade family Solanaceae, cultivated for their pungency. They are used as a spice to ...

s and

salt In common usage, salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl). When used in food, especially in granulated form, it is more formally called table salt. In the form of a natural crystalline mineral, salt is also known as r ...

. It is used in a variety of preparations.

History

The combination of chili and lime is a classic one in traditional

Mexican cuisine Mexican cuisine consists of the cuisines and associated traditions of the modern country of Mexico. Its earliest roots lie in Mesoamerican Cuisine, Mesoamerican cuisine. Mexican cuisine's ingredients and methods arise from the area's first agr ...

and is commonly used on fruits and vegetables. Tajín Clásico was created in 1985 by Horacio Fernández, who wanted to recreate in powdered form the flavors of a sauce made by his grandmother. Fernández named the product after the pre-Columbian archaeological site of

El Tajín El Tajín is a pre-Columbian archeological site in southern Mexico and is one of the largest and most important cities of the Classic era of Mesoamerica. A part of the Classic Veracruz culture, El Tajín flourished from 600 to 1200 AD and dur ...

in the eastern Mexican state of

Veracruz Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, is one of the 31 states which, along with Mexico City, comprise the 32 Political divisions of Mexico, Federal Entit ...

, which he visited and was impressed by in 1985, after realizing that '' ají'', meaning chili, shares three of the same letters. Tajín Clásico entered the U.S. market in 1993, building a plant in Houston; Tajín became a commonly used condiment in Texas. In the 2000s, the brand expanded internationally.

Description and ingredients

Tajín Clásico seasoning (often referred to as simply Tajín), the company's most popular product, is a

seasoning Seasoning is the process of supplementing food via herbs, spices, and/or salts, intended to enhance a particular flavour. General meaning Seasonings include herbs and spices, which are themselves frequently referred to as "seasonings". Salt may ...

powder consisting of ground chiles de árbol,

guajillo chili A guajillo chili or guajillo chile or chile guaco () or mirasol chile is a landrace variety of the species ''Capsicum annuum'' with a mirasol ("sunflower" or "looking at the sun") chile fruit type. ''Mirasol'' is used to refer to the fresh pepp ...

, pasilla chili,

sea salt Sea salt is salt that is produced by the evaporation of seawater. It is used as a seasoning in foods, cooking, cosmetics and for preserving food. It is also called bay salt, solar salt, or simply salt. Like mined rock salt, production of sea sal ...

and dehydrated

lime Lime most commonly refers to: * Lime (fruit), a green citrus fruit * Lime (material), inorganic materials containing calcium, usually calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide * Lime (color), a color between yellow and green Lime may also refer to: Bo ...

. It is a grainy reddish powder with flavors that are sweet, salty, and sour, with a mild heat from the chilis. The flavor of the lime is at the forefront and the flavor of the chilis is subtle. It imparts a reddish color to dishes. When used as a garnish or condiment, the graininess can also add texture to dishes.

Uses

Tajín is used in a variety of preparations. It is used as a garnish, a

condiment A condiment is a preparation that is added to food, typically after cooking, to enhance the Flavoring, flavour, to complement the dish or to impart a specific flavor. Such specific flavors generally add sweetness or pungency, or sharp or piquant ...

and an

ingredient In a general sense, an ingredient is a substance which forms part of a mixture. In cooking, recipes specify which ingredients are used to prepare a dish, and the term may also refer to a specific food item in relation to its use in different re ...

. It is used in both sweet and savory dishes. The blend is commonly used with fruit, but is also used with vegetables, dips, sauces, desserts, in cocktails such as

michelada A ''michelada'' () is a Mexican drink made with beer, lime juice, assorted sauces (often chili-based), spices, and chili peppers. It is served in a chilled, salt-rimmed glass. There are numerous variations of this beverage throughout Mexico. ...

s, or to rim a

margarita A margarita is a cocktail consisting of tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. Some margarita recipes include simple syrup as well and are often served with salt on the rim of the glass. Margaritas can be served either shaken with ice (on the rock ...

. It can also be used as a rub for meats, poultry, or fish. It can be used as a replacement for salt in omelets or on popcorn.

Reception

Tasting Table Tasting Table (incorporated as TDT Media Inc.) is an American digital media company focused on food and drink. The brand's website and email newsletter report on food and drink trends in the categories of dining, wine, cocktails, cooking, and fo ...

'' called Tajín Clasico a "classic Mexican spice blend". ''

Parade A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats, or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually some variety ...

'' called it a cult favorite. According to Mexican food historian

Gustavo Arellano Gustavo Arellano (born February 3, 1979) is an American writer and journalist. He is a columnist for the ''Los Angeles Times'' and the former editor of Orange County's alternative weekly '' OC Weekly''. He is most notable as the author of the s ...

, “Tajín is a lifestyle”. Mexico City culinary consultant Mariana Gomez Rubio said: “I can’t even imagine a time before Tajín, or before salts flavored with lime and chile".

Manufacturers

The manufacturer, Empresas Tajín, was founded in

Guadalajara, Mexico Guadalajara ( ; ) is the capital and the most populous city in the western Mexican List of states of Mexico, state of Jalisco, as well as the most densely populated municipality in Jalisco. According to the 2020 census, the city has a population ...

, in 1985 by Horacio Fernández, who originally sold the blend store-to-store; the company is located in

Zapopan Zapopan () is a city and municipality located in the Mexican state of Jalisco. Part of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Zapopan is the largest city in the state. It's best known as the home of the Virgin of Zapopan, an image of the Virgin ...

Jalisco Jalisco, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Jalisco, is one of the 31 states which, along with Mexico City, comprise the 32 Political divisions of Mexico, Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in western Mexico and is bordered by s ...

, Mexico. Several other manufacturers, including

Trader Joe's Trader Joe's is an American grocery store chain headquartered in Monrovia, California, with 597 locations across the US. The first Trader Joe's store was opened in 1967 by founder Joe Coulombe in Pasadena, California. In 1979, the chain was s ...

, Trechas, and Lawry's, make competitor products.

Gallery

File:Quiote - December 2023 - Sarah Stierch 05.jpg, Watermelon with Tajín File:Reel and Brand - September 2021 - Sarah Stierch 03.jpg, Elotes with Tajín File:Oranges and popcorn in tajin.jpg, Mandarin oranges and popcorn, both sprinkled in Tajín File:Mango in Tajin (cropped).jpg, Mango with Tajín from a vendor in

Santa Monica, California Santa Monica (; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Santa Mónica'') is a city in Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles County, situated along Santa Monica Bay on California's South Coast (California), South Coast. Santa Monica's 2020 United Sta ...

File:Maya - 2021-06-26 - Sarah Stierch.jpg,

Margarita A margarita is a cocktail consisting of tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. Some margarita recipes include simple syrup as well and are often served with salt on the rim of the glass. Margaritas can be served either shaken with ice (on the rock ...

rimmed with Tajín

Similar flavor profiles in Mexican cuisine

Chamoy is a sauce made from fermented fruit and chiles. Sal de gusano is a condiment made with dried worms and chilis. and Sal de chapulin is made with dried grasshoppers and ground chiles.

also includes other flavored salts and multiple examples of candies which are sweet and hot or tart, such as Brinquitos.

References

External links

Company website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tajin (seasoning) Mexican cuisine Herb and spice mixtures Brand name condiments Mexican brands