# I cannot eat Old Bay seasoning, do you have a similar seasoning of your own? Sans tiny knives? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [December 22, 2022, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938 "2022-12-22T01:59:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dummygladhands71](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c0e974/32.png) [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/1 "2022-12-22T01:59:04Z")
Something in it makes my mouth feel like a thousand tiny pins are pricking my tongue, gums, the sides of my mouth, I just can’t. But I’d like to do a sort of seafood boil. Any thoughts as to what I could use that won’t stab me? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/2 "2022-12-22T02:05:14Z")
Just a sample. Google “non-spicy seafood boil” > **[Mild-Style Shrimp Boil with Corn and Red Potatoes](https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/272795/mild-style-shrimp-boil-with-corn-and-red-potatoes/)** > > For those who don't want their shrimp boil to be too hot, this mild but flavorful recipe is more savory than spicy. ---
**Author:** ![dummygladhands71](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c0e974/32.png) [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/3 "2022-12-22T02:11:47Z")
Doh, thanks, I surely wouldn’t have figured out the right keywords ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/4 "2022-12-22T14:11:09Z")
Is Old Bay considered spicy? I don’t find it spicy in the least, but I like spicy food so maybe my tolerance is just miles past Old Bay level. Just a total Wild-Ass Guess on my part, but it almost sounds like the OP might be allergic to some ingredient in the typical Old Spice mix. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/5 "2022-12-22T15:12:25Z")
> [@solost](#): > > but it almost sounds like the OP might be allergic to some ingredient in the typical Old Spice mix. If you are putting Old _Spice_ in your seafood boil instead Old _Bay_, that might explain the tingly sensation. Aftershave is supposed to tingle. But only on your outside skin, not your inside skin. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/6 "2022-12-22T15:15:17Z")
I find that Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning goes well with almost anything. Then again, I’m the guy who always said “yes” when the "chef’ in the Chinese food truck asked “You like spicy, right?” ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/7 "2022-12-22T15:29:25Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > If you are putting Old _Spice_ in your seafood boil instead Old _Bay_, that might explain the tingly sensation. Ha, I of course meant to say _ **'Old Bay spice mix** _’. I think I typed that pre-coffee 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/8 "2022-12-22T15:36:50Z")
I find Old Bay to be extremely mild FWIW. I bought a tin of Old Bay-seasoned peanuts not long ago and was disappointed at how bland they were. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/9 "2022-12-22T15:49:15Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > I find that Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning goes well with almost anything. > > Then again, I’m the guy who always said “yes” when the "chef’ in the Chinese food truck asked “You like spicy, right?” Chachere’s whole line is good. I definitely prefer his “More Spice” Creole blend rather than the original. Then again, like you, I want my spicy food _spicy_. If you can’t smell it 3 tables away, it’s not spicy enough. Yet. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/10 "2022-12-22T16:01:29Z")
I wonder if the OP actually has a (minor) allergy to Old Bay. I know that a lot of people describe things they are allergic to as tasting spicy. I’ve definitely seen stories of people who said they recently learned that, say, a tomato is not supposed to be spicy. And pin pricks in particular sounds like an allergic reaction. As for what to include instead? I find that whatever spices you use for other foods can work. For instance, I found garlic and onion worked on shrimp. I also find that lemon pepper works great with seafood. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/11 "2022-12-22T16:08:37Z")
There’s absolutely nothing spicy about Old Bay, so i agree you might be having an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients. Old Bay is mostly Celery Salt IIRC, followed by red/black pepper and paprika. That’s really it. ---
**Author:** ![Tarataratara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tarataratara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarataratara)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/12 "2022-12-22T18:35:59Z")
Look into the Louisiana seasonings - Louisiana, Zatarains, Tony Chacheres, Slap Ya Mama. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/13 "2022-12-22T18:47:31Z")
Old Bay absolutely has some heat to it. I have an extremely high spice tolerance, but even I can notice it. I won’t use it for stuff be I serve the kids. And if Old Bay is too spicy, then CD Tony Chachere’s is not going to be a good substitute. That said, I suspect it may be an allergy. Maybe celery seeds? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/14 "2022-12-22T18:50:56Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Old Bat absolutely has some heat to it.- The elderly can be savage when provoked. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/15 "2022-12-22T18:51:17Z")
Darn you for beating me to my edit! It looks like celery seed is a known allergen, with the seed having more of it than the root and the stalk. So it’s a possibility. Or it could be basic capsaicin aversion. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/16 "2022-12-22T19:16:22Z")
Durn typos. Old Bat is a great brand name though! band name too. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/17 "2022-12-22T19:40:26Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > And if Old Bay is too spicy, then CD Tony Chachere’s is not going to be a good substitute. I should say, though, on the other hand, if it is celery seed that is causing the prickly feeling, maybe one of the cajun or creole seasonings would work for you. Unfortunately, the labeling on these things often contains a catch-all “spices”, and I see some of the knock-off recipes for Chachere’s contain celery seeds. Slap Yo Mama Seafood Boil doesn’t seem to contain any of that, but will be much spicier than Old Bay. I guess it will help knowing what it is that is causing that reaction. If it’s just the heat, look at some generic Chesepeake Bay seasoning recipes or Old Bay knockoff recipes and just nix the cayenne. It’ll still taste good. If it’s the celery seed, well, that’s the major component of Old Bay’s flavor profile, but you can do with out it and just do something with salt, black pepper, red pepper, and garlic (probably the most basic Cajun seasoning.) And then a bit of cinnamon, allspice and those “warm” spices as an accent if you want a bit more an Old Bay feel to it. ---
**Author:** ![dummygladhands71](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c0e974/32.png) [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2022, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/18 "2022-12-23T01:53:12Z")
Yeah, it’s not the spice level at all, it’s the tiny knives. But I’ll try to avoid the celery salt or seed. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2022, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/19 "2022-12-23T05:29:38Z")
I’m agreeing with the people who say that it sounds like you may be allergic to an ingredient in the mix, and that could also include a preservative or anti-caking agent. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2022, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938/20 "2022-12-23T05:46:25Z")
> [@dummygladhands71](#): > > Yeah, it’s not the spice level at all, it’s the tiny knives. I hope you’re not using a spice mix with wolf’s-bane in it. > **[Health officials scramble to trace spice product suspected of poisoning...](https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/aconite-tracing-poison-uses-wolfsbane-monkshood-1.6567441)** > > Federal authorities are working to track whether a spice product, believed to contain a highly toxic herb, was distributed elsewhere in Canada. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cannot-eat-old-bay-seasoning-do-you-have-a-similar-seasoning-of-your-own-sans-tiny-knives/976938.md?page=2)