Adjika or Ajika is a staple seasoning blend in Georgian-Abkhazian cuisine, which is known for its piquancy. So, in this article, we will bring you everything about the Adjika seasoning and its ingredients.
Adjika seasoning usually comes together with ingredients such as:
- Crushed red chili peppers
- Garlic
- Coriander
- Fenugreek
- Dried marigold petals
- Salt
So, keep reading to learn about this unique seasoning blend that will instantly turn your dishes from bland to exotic!
Adjika Seasoning And Its Ingredients
The inception of adjika dates back to the 15th century of Georgian history. The Abkhazian word “Adjika or Ajika” translates to “salt” in English, and it is considered that this blend is intimately associated with Georgian culture.
Adjika seasoning holds a profound chili accent with a rounded flavor. It has the maple-like bitterness of fenugreek, the pungency of garlic, the gentle citrusy undertones of coriander seeds, and the floral bitterness of the marigold petals. However, you can savor a rich, exotic, bitter-sweet, hot and mellow flavor from this blend when it is added to a certain dish.
This seasoning is used with many traditional dishes as a versatile staple in many Georgian households. In addition, it adds tons of flavor to the meat as a rub and could also be incorporated into marinades and wet rubs. Adjika doesn’t only boost the taste of the meat. But it is also an excellent addition to vegetable dishes, pasta, noodles, and spaghetti dishes, as a pizza topping, or to sprinkle over roasted potatoes.
Spices In Adjika Seasoning
- Crushed red chili peppers- This is among the principal spices in the Adjika seasoning. A hot chili pepper variety is often chosen to give considerable heat to this blend, such as Aleppo pepper and New Mexico Lumbre chili peppers. And in the versions available in the Western market, you could get a combination of these hot chilies with less hot red bell peppers or paprika.
- Garlic- This spice is the ultimate pungent agent of this seasoning. Its lovely garlicky notes add a hint of savory, umami touch with a strong aroma, pairing with the rest of the ingredients.
- Coriander- Ground coriander seeds do a fair job by balancing the intense flavor of adjika seasoning. Its mellow, citrusy, and nutty flavor profile blends with the robust ingredients in the mix to give a rounded taste.
- Fenugreek- Traditionally, the Georgians use blue fenugreek in this mix. Blue fenugreek has a milder, sweeter, walnut-like flavor, while regular fenugreek holds a bolder, more bitter taste. However, we can find both of these varieties in different adjika seasoning versions.
- Dried Marigold Petals– This is the most iconic ingredient in this seasoning mix. Dried marigold is a staple ingredient in Georgian cuisine, and they often recognize it as “ Imeretian saffron”. The unique earthy and bitter flavor notes of this ingredient, along with its beautiful yellowish-golden hue, add a true definition to adjika seasoning, allowing it to stand out from the rest.
Other Adjika Seasoning Ingredients
Salt is the next important component in adjika seasoning. Almost every adjika seasoning option contains some kind of salt like kosher, sea salt, or pink Himalayan salt. Occasionally, we can find some adjika seasoning options, including dried tomato powder, paprika, black pepper, and ground dill seeds.
Simple Homemade Adjika Seasoning Recipe
09
Tsp5
minutes5
minutes10
minutesYou could be really enthusiastic about adding adjika seasoning to your regular dishes but might find it challenging to get it from local stores. So, worry not- let’s make a simple adjika seasoning blend with the ingredients you can easily find. This is very similar to the authentic recipe, but we have made a few changes for your convenience. Let’s make some adjika!
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Ingredients
- Spices:
1 tsp 1 Aleppo chili pepper flakes
1 tsp 1 Ground New Mexican Chili (optional)*
2 tsp 2 Ground coriander seeds
1 tsp 1 Ground fenugreek
2 tsp 2 Powdered dry Marigold petals
½ – 1 tsp ½ – 1 Garlic powder
- Other Ingredients:
1 tsp 1 Sea salt
- Equipment:
1 1 Small mixing bowl
1 1 Tightly fitting glass jar
Directions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well until everything is thoroughly incorporated.
- Use immediately with your dishes, or store the mixture in a well-fitting glass spice jar/ container until you need it again.
TASTY NOTES BY SPICERALLY
- Leave our ground New Mexican chili if you feel like the heat from Aleppo chili flakes is enough.
- You can substitute garlic powder with 5-6 fresh garlic cloves if you like a fresher, more intense flavor. If you are going with fresh garlic, remember that your mixture will hold considerable moisture. You will have to grind the garlic cloves first in a garlic press/ grinder/ blender/ mortar and pestle before mixing them with the rest of the ingredients.
- Store this blend with the rest of your dry spices if you make this using garlic powder. But you must store this in the refrigerator if you use fresh garlic.
- You can purchase dried marigold petals online or from the supermarket. Grind them before mixing if they do not come as a powder.
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What Is In The Adjika Seasoning Packet?
The store-bought adjika seasoning packets usually contain ingredients such as:
- Hot red chili pepper
- Ground coriander
- Fenugreek
- Garlic
- Marigold
- Salt
Some options might also include additional ingredients like:
- Black pepper
- Dill seeds
- Safflower
- Saffron
- Dried tomato
- Paprika
- Dried herbs (parsley, thyme, bay leaves, marjoram, hyssop, mint)
Is Adjika Seasoning Vegan?
The authentic adjika seasoning recipe does not contain animal traces and is made with all plant-based ingredients. Therefore, this blend is traditionally a vegan-friendly one. But still, if you are concerned, check the list of ingredients before purchasing.
Is Adjika Seasoning Keto-Friendly?
Adjika seasoning usually comes together with keto-friendly ingredients. So, this blend can be considered a safe option for those who follow a keto diet.
Savor The Exotic Georgian Flavors In Your Kitchen!
With adjika seasoning on hand, you can bring the exotic goodness of Georgian flavors to your dinner table. Its ingredients, like hot red chili peppers, ground coriander, fenugreek, garlic, dried marigold, and salt, unite to make a lovely combination of a distinctive blend that could add a different flavor dimension to most of your favorite dishes.
