McCormick Celery Seed

McCormick Celery Seed 16oz 453g - FAQ

Q: What is celery seed and where does it come from?

A: Celery seed is the dried fruit of Apium graveolens, a relative of the celery plant. It's not from the same variety used for celery stalks but offers a similar, concentrated flavor.

Q: What does celery seed taste like?

A: Celery seed has a strong, earthy flavor similar to fresh celery, with grassy and slightly bitter notes. It's also lightly aromatic, with hints of anise or fennel.

Q: How is celery seed used in cooking?

A: It's perfect in potato salads, tomato-based dishes, vinaigrettes, meatloaf, egg salad, coleslaw, pickling blends, and brines. It can also be added to soups, stews, sauces, and stuffing to boost savory depth.

Q: Can I substitute celery seed for celery stalks?

A: Yes, celery seed can be used to mimic celery flavor in dishes where fresh celery isn't available. Start with ¼ teaspoon of celery seed per stalk of celery and adjust to taste.

Q: What dishes is celery seed best in?

A: It's excellent in:

• Potato salad
• Coleslaw
• Tomato juice and Bloody Marys
• Pickling seasoning blends
• Salad dressings (vinaigrette, ranch)
• Egg salad, meatloaf, and pasta salads

Q: Can celery seed replace celery salt?

A: Yes, but you'll need to add your own salt. Celery salt is typically made from ground celery seed and salt combined, so just mix 2 parts salt to 1 part ground celery seed as a basic substitute.

Q: Is this celery seed whole or ground?

A: This is whole celery seed, not ground. Whole seeds provide longer shelf life and can be used as-is or crushed fresh in a mortar for stronger flavor release.

Q: Is celery seed used in pickling?

A: Absolutely. It's a common ingredient in pickling spice blends and pairs well with vinegar and mustard seed to flavor cucumbers, beets, and relishes.

Q: Is McCormick Celery Seed kosher?

A: Yes, it is OU Certified Kosher and contains no added salt, preservatives, or fillers.

Q: How should I store celery seed?

A: Store tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from light and humidity. It has a shelf life of up to 720 days when stored properly.

Q: Does celery seed contain sodium?

A: No, celery seed is naturally sodium-free, making it a great choice for flavoring low-sodium dishes or salt-conscious diets.

Q: What is the serving size for McCormick Celery Seed?

A: A typical culinary serving is about ¼ teaspoon (0.5g). There are approximately 900 servings per 16oz container.

Q: Why does the label show 0 calories and no serving size?

A: Under FDA guidelines, if a serving provides less than 5 calories and less than 0.5g of any listed nutrient, it may be rounded down to 0. Since celery seed is used in small amounts (a pinch at a time), its nutritional values round to zero.