The Heritage Table - When All the Jars Look Good: How to Choose the Right Southwestern Blend

I see it happen all the time.

Someone stands in front of the table at the Cottage, or at a market, holding two jars. Sometimes three. They turn them over. They read the ingredients. They look at me and say,

“They all sound good… but what’s the difference?”

And I understand that feeling.

Choosing a flavor profile can feel overwhelming — especially when the blends all live in the same culinary neighborhood. These particular seasonings are rooted in the Americas. They shine in Southwestern cuisine. They share familiar ingredients: cumin, garlic, paprika, chile.

But here is the truth:

Even when ingredients overlap, personality does not.

These blends may share a landscape — but they do not tell the same story.

Let me walk you through them the way I would if you were standing beside me.

If You Want History in Your Hands

16th c. Adobo

This one is quieter than people expect.

When I created 16th c. Adobo, I was thinking about early colonial kitchens — that moment when Old World spices met New World chiles. Garlic is strong here. Cumin is steady and grounding. Coriander lifts gently. The cayenne doesn’t scream; it hums.

This is not flashy heat.It’s layered warmth.

If you love braised pork, slow-roasted chicken, or beans simmering for hours — this is your blend.

Choose this when you want depth more than drama.

If You Cook Outside and Love Fire

Borderland Mesquite Heat

This one announces itself.

Mesquite smoked sea salt leads the way — bold, unmistakable. Serrano and habanero add real heat, but the smoke is the signature. It tastes like open air and iron grates and something sizzling at sunset.

If you grill more than you bake…If you like charred edges…If you want smoke to lead the conversation…

This is the jar you reach for.

If You Love Warmth with a Little Rhythm

Bountiful Bahia

This one surprises people.

Yes, it’s Southwestern-friendly. Yes, it plays beautifully with chicken, rice, and vegetables. But there’s something softer here — brown sugar rounding the edges, smoked paprika carrying color and warmth, turmeric adding golden depth.

It’s smoky — but it dances.

If you want sweet heat without sharpness…If you love vibrant color on your plate…If you’re cooking for people who want warmth but not fire…

This is your blend.

If You Want Savory Comfort

Cowboy Crunch

People assume this one is spicy.

It’s not.

Cowboy Crunch is savory. Garlic-forward. Mustard-kissed. Herb-lifted. It reminds me of cast iron skillets and cornbread and potatoes roasting in the oven.

If you’re making corn ribs, roasted vegetables, or compound butter…If you want flavor without heavy chile…If you lean toward herbs more than heat…

Cowboy Crunch is steady and generous.

If You Want the Familiar Classic

Taco Tuesday

There is nothing wrong with wanting the flavor you grew up with.

Taco Tuesday is balanced and dependable. Chili powder forward. Cumin present. Oregano warm. It behaves exactly the way you expect taco seasoning to behave — and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

If you’re feeding a family…If you want ground beef tacos that taste “right”…If you don’t want surprises…

This one is the comfort of recognition.

So How Do You Choose?

Start here:

Do you want historic depth, bold smoke, sweet warmth, savory herbs, or classic familiarity?

All five blends belong to the Americas. All five thrive in Southwestern-inspired cooking. But they each carry their own temperament.

Some are steady. Some are bold. Some are playful. Some are nostalgic.

And choosing the right one isn’t about heat level alone.

It’s about the mood you want at the table tonight.

I know it can feel hard to choose.

But I promise you this — there isn’t a wrong answer.

There’s only the story you feel like telling.

And flavor, as I always say, is memory in motion.

If you ever find yourself holding two jars and wondering which one to take home…

Just ask me. I love that part.

More information if you are still wondering which to choose . . .

1. 16th c. Adobo

Old World Heat. Colonial Crossroads.

Historical Roots

Adobo traces back to Iberian preservation techniques — vinegar, garlic, and spices used to cure meats before refrigeration. When Spain expanded into the Americas in the 16th century, Old World spices met New World chiles. What emerged was layered, earthy heat — structured and grounded.

Flavor Profile

• Garlic-forward

• Deep cumin backbone

• Warm coriander lift

• Paprika warmth

• Controlled cayenne heat

This is not flashy heat. It is historic heat.

Choose 16th c. Adobo If:

• You love slow-cooked meats.

• You braise, roast, or simmer.

• You want depth more than sweetness.

• You appreciate culinary history on your plate.

Best For: pork shoulder, roasted chicken, beans, stews.

Personality: The Archivist. Steady. Grounded. Confident.

2. Borderland Mesquite Heat

Fire-Kissed Desert Smoke.

Historical Roots

This blend belongs to the borderlands — where mesquite smoke defines flavor and chiles grow bold under desert sun. Mesquite has been used for centuries by Indigenous communities for cooking and smoking meats long before it became a barbecue trend.

This is frontier flavor.

Flavor Profile

• Heavy mesquite smoked salt presence

• Bright serrano bite

• Habanero whisper of flame

• Tomato adds subtle body

This blend is about fire and atmosphere.

Choose Borderland Mesquite Heat If:

• You grill more than you roast.

• You want smoke to lead.

• You enjoy noticeable but balanced heat.

• You cook outdoors often.

Best For: steak, grilled corn, burgers, brisket.

Personality: The Firestarter. Bold. Outdoor-driven. Charred edges welcome.

3. Bountiful Bahia

Tropical Smoke with Gentle Sweetness.

Historical Roots

Bahia, Brazil is a cultural convergence of Indigenous, Portuguese, and West African culinary traditions. Paprika, cumin, and coriander meet warmth and sweetness. Smoke appears — but it dances rather than dominates.

The heavy smoked paprika presence defines this blend.

Flavor Profile

• Smoky paprika dominant

• Gentle brown sugar rounding

• Earthy cumin

• Subtle turmeric warmth

This is warmth with rhythm.

Choose Bountiful Bahia If:

• You want smoke without harshness.

• You enjoy sweet heat.

• You cook chicken frequently.

• You love vibrant color in your dishes.

Best For: grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, rice dishes.

Personality: The Dancer. Warm. Lively. Slightly sweet.

4. Cowboy Crunch

Herbaceous American Savory.

Historical Roots

Cowboy cooking relied on durable herbs, mustard, garlic, and pantry staples. This blend leans less into chile and more into savory depth — reminiscent of ranch kitchens and cast iron skillets.

Flavor Profile

• Garlic prominent

• Mustard tang

• Fresh herb lift (parsley, chive, thyme)

• Gentle background warmth

This is not taco seasoning. This is savory backbone.

Choose Cowboy Crunch If:

• You love cornbread and skillet cooking.

• You want flavor without dominant heat.

• You enjoy herb-forward blends.

Best For: corn ribs, potatoes, roasted vegetables, compound butters.

Personality: The Ranch Cook. Practical. Savory. Comforting.

5. Taco Tuesday

The Familiar Classic.

Historical Roots

Modern American taco seasoning blends emerged in the mid-20th century as Tex-Mex cuisine became mainstream. Chili powder, cumin, oregano, and garlic became the recognizable flavor many households associate with tacos.

This version stays true to that structure — balanced and dependable.

Flavor Profile

• Chili powder forward

• Balanced cumin

• Familiar oregano warmth

• Comforting and approachable

Choose Taco Tuesday If:

• You want a dependable classic.

• You cook for families.

• You prefer recognizable flavor.

• You’re making ground beef, turkey, or beans.

Best For: tacos, nachos, enchiladas.

Personality: The Crowd Pleaser. Reliable. Approachable. Beloved.

The Quick Comparison

Blend	Leads With	Heat Level	Best For	Overall Mood
16th c. Adobo	Garlic + Cumin	Moderate	Braises & roasts	Historic & Deep
Borderland Mesquite Heat	Smoke	Medium-Hot	Grilling	Bold & Fiery
Bountiful Bahia	Smoked Paprika	Warm	Chicken & veg	Sweet Smoke
Cowboy Crunch	Garlic + Herbs	Mild	Comfort dishes	Savory & Herbal
Taco Tuesday	Chili Powder	Mild-Moderate	Tex-Mex classics	Familiar

How to Choose

If you want:

• Historic depth → 16th c. Adobo

• Outdoor smoke → Borderland Mesquite Heat

• Sweet smoky warmth → Bountiful Bahia

• Herb-driven savory → Cowboy Crunch

• Classic taco flavor → Taco Tuesday

Heat matters. But personality matters more.

Spice Significance

Across centuries, cumin and coriander traveled the Silk Road. Paprika transformed European cooking after the Columbian Exchange. Indigenous smoke techniques shaped American grilling traditions. Oregano and garlic crossed oceans and settled into new homes.

Every blend carries a migration story.

And when you choose a seasoning, you are choosing a culinary lineage.

A Whisper from the Table

Flavor is memory in motion.

Choose the blend that matches the story you want to tell tonight.