Behind the Seasoning: Buffalo

 Many of our seasonings are inspired by popular condiments and sauces. For example, our Tarragon Citrus Shallot Seasoning is basically a dry form of a classic bernaise sauce. And Harissa Spice Mix is our rendition of the spicy condiment found on most Moroccan tables. So it made sense that we took the same approach with one of America’s favorite condiments—Buffalo sauce. Below is a brief history of Buffalo sauce as well as the behind-the-scenes inspiration for Buffalo Wing Dry Sauce and Buffalo Bleu Dip & Dressing Mix.

A Brief History of Buffalo

For two centuries, maybe longer, Americans have loved hot sauces. By the late 1800s, Tabasco® had become the first mass marketed hot sauce. Many other purveyors got in on the action and in 1920 one of these men, Jacob Frank, created a sauce that would become inextricably linked to Americana.

While myth, hearsay, and legend shroud the creation of some favorite foods, there is a consensus that buffalo wings were created in (where else) the city of Buffalo, New York. There are a few variations of the story but they all converge at the Anchor Bar in 1964, where proprietor Teressa Bellissimo cooked up some chicken wings and tossed them in a mouthwatering combination of butter and Frank’s® RedHot® Cayenne Pepper Sauce.

While they were an instant hit with Buffalonians, it took nearly two decades for these blue-collar bar snacks to catch on in other parts of the country. But, eventually, they caught on…big time. During the Super Bowl each year, Americans consume buffalo wings at the staggering rate of more than 1 billion servings. And that’s only during one weekend!

Recently, the recognizable flavor of buffalo has started popping up in other recipes and dishes: from nuts to macaroni and cheese, to potato chips and even dips. Why the popularity? It probably has something to do with our inherent love of hot sauce and the growing popularity of big, bold flavors.

Buffalo Wing Dry Sauce

At Savory Spice Shop, we are always eager to craft new flavors and respond to our customers’ wishes. Up to this point, all of our handcrafted seasonings have contained only spices and herbs. However, you simply can’t create an authentic Buffalo flavor without vinegar and other classic hot sauce ingredients. We continue to maintain the highest standards in labeling, disclosing the ingredients used in these blends. We know that some customers will prefer to stick with our standard spice-only blends but we also know that many of our customers will be excited about these bold new flavors!

Savory’s founder, Mike Johnston, was the mastermind behind our Buffalo Wing Dry Sauce and shared his enthusiasm:

“I’m excited about creating another dry version of a flavor that is typically enjoyed in liquid form. We have done this in the past with great success with seasonings like Canyon Road Red Enchilada Dry Sauce and Harissa Spice Mix, which are traditionally liquid sauces and condiments that hail from Mexico and Morocco respectively. The real attraction for me is the ability to offer our customers a new application for a tried and true flavor profile. Having a dry form of Buffalo sauce opens up a bunch of opportunities in the kitchen.

Using our Buffalo seasonings you can now add that one-of-a-kind, tangy, and zesty Buffalo flavor to snacks like popcorn, fries, or even garlic bread without worrying about making them soggy. What’s more, if you’re craving a liquid Buffalo sauce for your wings and don’t have one on hand, you simply reach into your spice rack and make your own by mixing our Buffalo Wing Dry Sauce with equal parts oil and water.”

Buffalo Bleu Dip & Dressing

Use our Buffalo Bleu Dip & Dressing recipe as a creamy dip for wings or to add a zesty kick to salads

Is there a marriage of flavor more perfect that the zip of Buffalo and the creamy coolness of bleu cheese? We think not. We have blended our new Buffalo Wing Dry Sauce with bleu cheese powder to create our party-ready Buffalo Bleu Dip & Dressing. For a quick and easy dip, simply mix 2 to 3 Tbsp. into an 8 oz. container of sour cream. Our simple Buffalo Bleu Dip & Dressing recipe plays up the tangy flavors, with the addition of buttermilk and scallions. It only takes 5 minutes (or less) to whip up and tastes just like a bite of wing dipped in bleu cheese dressing. Don’t just use it as a dip though; try it on baked potatoes or as a spread for your favorite sandwich.

Craving Buffalo wings yet? Try our Red Bell Ranch or other Dips & Dressings with your wings.