Big and bold as a flavor profile might seem a tad nebulous for the fastidious foodie - so let’s get specific. We’re talking about fierce flavors brought about by smoke, char and intense spice - not heat, per say, but spices that do not go gentle into that good night.
In this Flavor Focus we’re going big. And bold. And things will get intense. But we’ll also take a look at how chefs are experimenting with these flavors on menus - and how this growing trend has trickled down to home cooks. Let’s go.
These insistently stronger signals then essentially put your primary gustatory cortex on blast. This cortex is where the brain processes and interprets a taste’s intensity, while tag-teaming with the orbitofrontal cortex, which colors that taste with smell and texture to create the perception of flavor. I know, we’re getting technical.
So in simple terms, when you taste a big and bold flavor, your taste buds send stronger-than-usual signals to your brain, which in turn creates a more vivid and sometimes overwhelming sensory experience.
More than 90% of Gen Z (ok fine and Millennials) say they actively seek out new food and beverage flavors, with most wanting, “the wilder the better.”
According to Healthline, a whopping 25% of the population - yes 1 in 4 people - are born and walk around with more taste buds and receptors than the average duder, making them a Supertaster. And sorry fellas, but women are more likely to be Supertasters than men.
Because of that higher density of taste buds, Supertasters taste certain flavors and foods more intensely than other people. If you’re a Supertaster - you probably have a distinct aversion to bitter foods like dark chocolate, bittersweet foods like grapefruit, cruciferous veggies, and spicy foods.
On the flip side, Supertasters are known to have better portion control to us indulgents over here.
The Data Made Me Do It
Diners want you to bring the intensity and share new tastes and ingredients that result in an authentic reaction to powerful flavors. But don't just take it from us - the data doesn't lie:
SPOTTED: BIG & BOLD
Dish Sightings In The Wild
Many Spiceology chef customers are going big - and we're taking notice. Whether they're experimenting with smoke, char or intense spice - these dishes are serving bold flavor.
Let the debate begin:
The Original Big & Bold Cheat Code
Monosodium Glutamate
MSG
Ok fine. It’s not smoke, char and intense spice - but MSG (monosodium glutamate) is some modernist magic when it comes to really upping the flavor and a no-shame cheat code for many chefs.
MSG is - at its core - a flavor intensifier. How does it make flavors bigger and bolder? It triggers the umami taste receptor and enhances the perception of other sweet, salt and rich tastes.
"MSG is one of my favorite ingredients to cook with because it's literally a flavor enhancer - it's a Jedi lightsaber of umami and can instantly add that big and bold oomph to sweet and savory dishes."
- Spiceologist & Chef Christian Gill
FLAVOR:
It's doesn't have a flavor per se... It's a flavor enhancer.
Ingredients:
Glutamic acid and sodium
Application:
Sprinkle it on just before serving for a final punch of flavor, or mix it in while cooking to layer that signature umami throughout. Works hot or cold—but it really shines when heat meets savory.
Consistency:
Powder
Ingredients that Bring Smoke Without Fire
Derek Wolf | Tennessee Smoke | BBQ Rub
Paprika, Maple Sugar, Molasses Granules, Orange Peel, Light Chili Powder
Sasquatch BBQ | Erubtion | Rib Rub
Paprika, Tomato Powder, Brownulated Sugar, Apple Powder, Hickory Smoke Powder
Smoked Chipotle Herbs de Provence Seasoning
Chipotle Powder, Garlic Granules, Lavender Flower, Paprika, Lemon Peel Powder
- Spicy
- Salty
- Herbaceous
- +1
Our ingredients and blends are ground fresh in small batches and shipped fresh from our Spokane, WA facility. Why in the heck should you care about that? It ensures prime aroma, color and big and bold flavor.
Spiceologists Dish on Big & Bold
APPETIZERS
SIDES
Breadcrumbed Topped Mac & Cheese
Breadcrumbed Topped Mac & Cheese
Smoked Beef Ribs
With Berbere
Bloody Mary
With Candied Bacon Sriracha Bacon Garnish
Ready to go bold?
Black Magic Cajun Blackening Seasoning
Paprika, Garlic Granules, Onion Granules, Cayenne Pepper, Thyme
Candied Bacon Sriracha Blend
Chipotle Powder, Paprika, Sriracha Salt, Brownulated Sugar, Mesquite Powder
Derek Wolf | Maple Bourbon | BBQ Rub
Paprika, Cayenne Pepper, Nutritional Yeast Flakes, Maple Sugar, Mesquite Powder
Derek Wolf | Tennessee Smoke | BBQ Rub
Paprika, Maple Sugar, Molasses Granules, Orange Peel, Light Chili Powder
Korean BBQ Seasoning
Gochugaru Korean Chili Flake, Sesame Seed, Sesame Seed, Tamari Soy Granules, Maple Sugar
Orange Gochugaru Chile Seasoning
Gochugaru Korean Chili Flake, Cayenne Pepper, Tomato Powder, Orange Juice Powder, Tamari Soy Granules
Pink Peppercorn Lemon Thyme All-Purpose Seasoning
Peppercorns Pink, Black Pepper, Thyme Leaves, Lemon
- Sweet
- Salty
- Herbaceous
- +2
Sasquatch BBQ | Erubtion | Rib Rub
Paprika, Tomato Powder, Brownulated Sugar, Apple Powder, Hickory Smoke Powder
Smoked Chipotle Herbs de Provence Seasoning
Chipotle Powder, Garlic Granules, Lavender Flower, Paprika, Lemon Peel Powder
- Spicy
- Salty
- Herbaceous
- +1