topic Re: Celery Seed Fraud? in Recipes

Celery Seed Fraud?

GrailSeeker — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 16:45:32 GMT

I made a cucumber and onion floating salad a couple of weeks ago. My grandma always added a touch of celery seed. When I got mine out of the cupboard, I noticed it had expired in 2018(!), but it looked and smelled OK, and I only needed a sprinkle, so I used it anyway. Then knocked it off the counter, the lid fell off, and it spilled. I decided I needed to get some new anyway.

So - looked in my regular shopping places. None at Aldi, none at Dollar General. This week at Walmart I found a large shaker - much bigger than the Tones shaker I had spilled and hadn't been able to use up before it expired, since I only use it once or twice a year. A little more than I wanted to pay, too, but since it was the only container they had, I went ahead and got it - Organic Great Value Celery Seed.

Eagerly sprinkled it again in a cucumber, onion, vinegar floating salad. Whaaat!? Tasted nothing like celery seed.

Ran a google to see if anyone else was complaining about celery seed not tasting right. Found this very little on the topic. Just one little article:

Substitution fraud likelihood for celery seed

https://www.ifsqn.com/forum/index.php/topic/34991-substitution-fraud-likelihood-for-celery-seed/

Nobody seems to take this seriously, and I know Walmart will not take food items back, and I can do without I guess in my cucumber salad. But gosh darn, it made me mad!

What the heck? A shortage of celery seed?

And I did notice after reading the article that this seed, whatever it is, is much larger than the celery seed that used to be available.

Re: Celery Seed Fraud?

roster — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 16:51:21 GMT

Try a reliable company, Penzeys. The sell it online or at their B&M.

Re: Celery Seed Fraud?

Mindy D — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 16:51:42 GMT

@GrailSeeker wrote:
I made a cucumber and onion floating salad a couple of weeks ago. My grandma always added a touch of celery seed. When I got mine out of the cupboard, I noticed it had expired in 2018(!), but it looked and smelled OK, and I only needed a sprinkle, so I used it anyway. Then knocked it off the counter, the lid fell off, and it spilled. I decided I needed to get some new anyway.

So - looked in my regular shopping places. None at Aldi, none at Dollar General. This week at Walmart I found a large shaker - much bigger than the Tones shaker I had spilled and hadn't been able to use up before it expired, since I only use it once or twice a year. A little more than I wanted to pay, too, but since it was the only container they had, I went ahead and got it - Organic Great Value Celery Seed.

Eagerly sprinkled it again in a cucumber, onion, vinegar floating salad. Whaaat!? Tasted nothing like celery seed.

Ran a google to see if anyone else was complaining about celery seed not tasting right. Found this very little on the topic. Just one little article:

Substitution fraud likelihood for celery seed

https://www.ifsqn.com/forum/index.php/topic/34991-substitution-fraud-likelihood-for-celery-seed/

Nobody seems to take this seriously, and I know Walmart will not take food items back, and I can do without I guess in my cucumber salad. But gosh darn, it made me mad!

What the heck? A shortage of celery seed?

And I did notice after reading the article that this seed, whatever it is, is much larger than the celery seed that used to be available.

@GrailSeeker @I found all the posts in your link very interesting and I learned some things. Your seeds might be lovage, but they could also be one of the many types of seeds that are actually sold under the name celery seeds. I also found it interesting that celery seeds spice is not made from the seeds that are used to grow celery.

Re: Celery Seed Fraud?

GrailSeeker — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 16:55:52 GMT

@roster wrote:
Try a reliable company, Penzeys. The sell it online or at their B&M.

I'm thinking I will try our Farm and Home Supply since they might sell pickling supplies. There is not a Penzey's around here and I really don't want to pay shipping for something so small. I would settle for McCormick's or Tones if I could find it, but even those well known brands are in packaging that you cannot see through.

Re: Celery Seed Fraud?

GrailSeeker — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 16:57:23 GMT

@Mindy D wrote:
@GrailSeeker wrote:
I made a cucumber and onion floating salad a couple of weeks ago. My grandma always added a touch of celery seed. When I got mine out of the cupboard, I noticed it had expired in 2018(!), but it looked and smelled OK, and I only needed a sprinkle, so I used it anyway. Then knocked it off the counter, the lid fell off, and it spilled. I decided I needed to get some new anyway.

So - looked in my regular shopping places. None at Aldi, none at Dollar General. This week at Walmart I found a large shaker - much bigger than the Tones shaker I had spilled and hadn't been able to use up before it expired, since I only use it once or twice a year. A little more than I wanted to pay, too, but since it was the only container they had, I went ahead and got it - Organic Great Value Celery Seed.

Eagerly sprinkled it again in a cucumber, onion, vinegar floating salad. Whaaat!? Tasted nothing like celery seed.

Ran a google to see if anyone else was complaining about celery seed not tasting right. Found this very little on the topic. Just one little article:

Substitution fraud likelihood for celery seed

https://www.ifsqn.com/forum/index.php/topic/34991-substitution-fraud-likelihood-for-celery-seed/

Nobody seems to take this seriously, and I know Walmart will not take food items back, and I can do without I guess in my cucumber salad. But gosh darn, it made me mad!

What the heck? A shortage of celery seed?

And I did notice after reading the article that this seed, whatever it is, is much larger than the celery seed that used to be available.

@GrailSeeker @I found all the posts in your link very interesting and I learned some things. Your seeds might be lovage, but they could also be one of the many types of seeds that are actually sold under the name celery seeds. I also found it interesting that celery seeds spice is not made from the seeds that are used to grow celery.

One thing I do know, though, is that celery seed should taste like celery. This, whatever it was, tasted nothing like celery and nothing like I've ever tasted before. Not good!

Re: Celery Seed Fraud?

fthunt — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 17:27:41 GMT

I bought fresh jar of Celery Salt from Penyze 5 months ago. I use in cold mac summer salad - and it really smells like celery and strong celery taste - so I don't use much.

Re: Celery Seed Fraud?

Sooner — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 17:36:00 GMT

I used to buy from Penzy's but the owner started sending crazy e-mails telling me how to think and vote, and no more, never again!

Re: Celery Seed Fraud?

GrailSeeker — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 17:38:50 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
I used to buy from Penzy's but the owner started sending crazy e-mails telling me how to think and vote, and no more, never again!

Wow! Can't say I blame you! But would you have ever expected a shortage of celery seed on top of everything else?

Re: Celery Seed Fraud?

Memebell — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 17:39:51 GMT

Besides pickling and cucumbers, what all do people use celery seed for? I have always wondered.

Re: Celery Seed Fraud?

chickenbutt — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 17:44:30 GMT

Well, that's awful! I had no idea, either. It's kind of like the 'cinnamon' thing. I make sure to get Ceylon Cinnamon so that what I'm purchasing is actually cinnamon.

I also use celery seed, but not that often so I store it extra to keep it fresh. I also get mine at Penzey's. That is an outstanding source, but I also understand your hesitation to order one thing and pay shipping.

Re: Celery Seed Fraud?

GrailSeeker — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 17:45:52 GMT

@fthunt wrote:
I bought fresh jar of Celery Salt from Penyze 5 months ago. I use in cold mac summer salad - and it really smells like celery and strong celery taste - so I don't use much.

That should have been my first tip-off, and just mentioning it again to put the word out.

The glass container is much bigger than typical for celery seed because the seed is a cheap substitute and bigger than the celery seed we've had for the last 100 years. I should have held on to what I had. I'm sure it was still good. And now I can't find it!

There just isn't much that calls for celery seed and you just need a very little. But it adds so much when it is called for and used. Old fashioned taste in salad dressings, potatoe salad, deviled eggs.

I seriously wonder what's happening with it that it doesn't seem to be available. I looked on amazon, and all they have are off brands. They do have celery salt and I may have to go with that, but haven't seen anything "celery" in the traditional brands in the stores I go to.

Re: Celery Seed Fraud?

GrailSeeker — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 17:51:56 GMT

@Memebell wrote:
Besides pickling and cucumbers, what all do people use celery seed for? I have always wondered.

It's really good in old fashioned potatoe salad or macaroni salad. I think I've used it in tuna salad, too.

Re: Celery Seed Fraud?

vabreeze — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 18:01:29 GMT

@Memebell wrote:
Besides pickling and cucumbers, what all do people use celery seed for? I have always wondered.

@Memebell

I always add celery seeds to my potato salad.

Re: Celery Seed Fraud?

MalteseMomma — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 18:09:56 GMT

WELL,..that settles it! yesterday i was telling my DD i need to throw away my "dry spices" .............they are maybe over 2o yrs old.....lol I don't cook anymore since my DH passed..

I personally do not think anything can happen to a dried spice or seasoning or ,what ever they are called ,so I kept them.

I was considering throwing them out and maybe I will when i feel better......lol but for now!!!!

I'm keeping my old and good ones............

Re: Celery Seed Fraud?

Fressa — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 18:13:40 GMT

I like "The Spice House" for spices. It tells you what country they are from and you can order a little or a lot.

I also have good luck with the "organic" spices at the Giant Eagle market if I'm in a pinch.

Re: Celery Seed Fraud?

sunshine45 — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 18:14:43 GMT

i buy celery seed from penzeys or mccormicks.....two names that i trust will give me a good product. penzeys often has reduced shipping or free shipping if you spend a certain amount. sign up for their emails or check once a week. they often offer freebies with your order also.

i use it in egg salad and in tuna salad.

Re: Celery Seed Fraud?

Nightowlz — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 18:34:37 GMT

If you need anything from Penzey's it shows on their site they are behind about 2 weeks on shipping.

Re: Celery Seed Fraud?

DiAnne — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 19:08:24 GMT

I use Penzey's also. Very good quality and what I love is I can get the small size in any spice so I have a chance of using it up before it loses its taste.

Re: Celery Seed Fraud?

sann — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 20:31:13 GMT

@GrailSeeker wrote:
@Memebell wrote:
Besides pickling and cucumbers, what all do people use celery seed for? I have always wondered.
It's really good in old fashioned potatoe salad or macaroni salad. I think I've used it in tuna salad, too.

Good in Cold Slaw.

Re: Celery Seed Fraud?

jannabelle1 — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 23:07:54 GMT

I only buy McCormack's seasonings (or Tone's). The exception was a couple of years ago I bought an off-brand of a seasoning at WM, and was so disappointed in the lack of flavor. I've never tried Penzy's, but I know people love the brand and it sounds like a great one. McCormack's works for me and I only buy it at my smaller local grocery store.

A little celery seed is great in mayo-based salads and I also use it in recipes that call for stewed or diced tomatoes.