.png)
Running a business in the hospitality industry comes with many challenges. From hiring and training staff to planning beverage inventory, choosing a type of menu, and handling restaurant marketing - you sure have a lot on your plate.
One of the many tasks you must handle repeatedly is adding new items to your menu. Following trends and changing dishes and drinks on your menu every season can be exhausting. Especially if you don’t know where to find the inspiration and information you need.
But that’s why we are here! On our blog page, you can find information about different varieties of wine and unique cocktails. We’ve talked about how to earn a Michelin Star and how to make the best wine pairings. Now, we want to talk about what is tajin and teach you how to use it in your bar and restaurant.
If you want to improve the way you manage your inventory too, you can book a demo with BinWise to find out more about our platform and how it can change the way you operate your establishment. But for now, let’s focus on what is tajin!
What Is Tajin?
Tajin or Tajín Clásico, which is the full name of it, is a Mexican spice mix. It consists mostly of chili peppers and salt, as well as lime. It can be used in many different ways - from food to cocktail drinks.
Key Takeaway: Tajin is a great spice blend that can be used in different dishes and as a cocktail garnish. Rim the glasses of cocktails like Bloody Mary and Margarita and let your customers enjoy the unique taste tajin adds to their favorite drinks!
Ingredients of Tajin: A More In-Depth Look
Although we already mentioned what tajin is made of, there is more we can dive into. This popular spice mix is made of:
- chiles de árbol
- guajillo chili
- pasilla chili
- sea salt
- dehydrated lime
All of the ingredients in tajin a ground. The color of the spice is reddish and the flavor is a mixture of salty, sweet, and even sour with a mild heat. The lime flavor is at the forefront and the chilis come as an aftertaste.
The reddish color is seen in the dishes where tajin is used. The graininess can give the food a nice texture, too. As for cocktail drinks, if you know how to rim a glass and what is tajin, you can make some wonderful combinations.
History of Tajin
The chili pepper and lime combination is a classic in the Mexican cuisine. This is where this unique spice comes from. Many people may be asking what is tajin but they have probably seen it on fruit and vegetables, as the Mexicans typically use it. The mixture of sweet and salty is a staple in their cuisine.
Tajín Clásico was first made by Horacio Fernández in 1985. He wanted to recreate the flavors of his favorite sauce that his grandmother made but in a powdered form. When he created the spice, he decided to name it after the re-Columbian archaeological site of El Tajín. It was located in the eastern Mexican state of Veracruz. Fernández visited that site during the same year and was very impressed by it. After that, he realized the Nahuatl word for chili is spelled “aji” which was part of the name tajin.
People in the United States learned what is tajin in 1993 when the spice was first introduced on the market. They first started selling mostly in Texas and the spice is very commonly used there. In the 2000s, it spread internationally and is now used to boost both food and drink flavors.
How to Use Tajin
Now that we’ve answered the question “What is tajin,” we can move on to the other important information. Namely - how to use tajin in cooking and mixology. In a nutshell, tajin is used as a cocktail garnish, a condiment, and an ingredient in food. it‘s added to both sweet and savory dishes.
The spice mix is commonly used with fruits and vegetables. It can be added to sauces and dips, and even in desserts. When it comes to drinks, you can add tajin to Micheladas as an ingredient and rim the Margarita glass with it.
In cuisine, it can also be used to season meat and fish. Poultry, too. People who love tajin even replace salt on popcorn or omelets with it.
More Ways to Use Tajin in Your Bar or Restaurant
If you want to spice up your beverage menu, experiment with gin spices, for example, as well as unpopular cocktails. Or even better - try making some of these drinks by adding a tajin rim to the glass:
- Fruit Spritzer
- Margarita
- Michelada
- Fruit Smoothie
- Bloody Mary
- Pineapple Agua Fresca
- Iced Tea
The people who ask what is tajin before ordering will be impressed by the deliciousness of the drinks! Something as simple as a glass rimmed with tajin can change the whole experience and boost tremendously customer satisfaction.
Don’t forget that the majority of people at bars and restaurants currently are Millennials and they love trying out new things. They want to experience various cuisines and have great drinks alongside their meal. This is especially true now that the pandemic is behind us.
Try adding tajin to your recipes for a while before deciding to use it on a regular basis. If you notice that your customers truly enjoy the chances you are making, you will see that in your beverage inventory tracking software. The profit will show it, too. Just make sure you are analyzing data and following the trends to always stay ahead of the competition!
Frequently Asked Questions about What Is Tajin
Need to learn more? Let’s look deeper into what is tajin and how to use it. We have answered some of the most common questions asked on these topics below. Read the answer to get even more information!
Are There Varieties of Tajin?
Yes! Although Tajín Clásico is the most widely used and recognized variety, there are others too. Different types of tajin may be with extra heat or with a lower sodium content. When purchasing tajin, always read the label to see if you are getting the classic version or another variety.
Is Tajin Vegan and Gluten-Free?
Tajin is typically gluten-free and vegan. However, always make sure to check the specifics on the label. If you are not buying Tajín Clásico, there might be additional ingredients that are not suitable for people avoiding gluten and those on a vegan diet.
Is Tajin Spicy?
Yes! Tajin is spicy because of the chili peppers used in the mixture. The level of spiciness, however, is generally moderate and the dehydrated lime adds a tangy dimension to it. If you don’t like spicy food or drinks at all, avoid tajin. But if you enjoy a bit of heat in meals and cocktails, definitely give it a try.
What Are the Main Ingredients of Tajin?
The main ingredients in tajin typically include ground chili peppers, dehydrated lime, and salt. Some variations may also include additional spices. Tajín Clásico includes only the aforementioned ingredients.