Is Ajika Seasoning Trader Joe's Version of Old Bay?

My Trader Joe's yoga skeleton is praying I'll give them some Ajika seasoning!

I’m in love with Trader Joe's Ajika Georgian seasoning blend. I use it to dry rub pork tenderloin and chicken, but imagine it would be amazing on seafood, particularly crabs. It tastes like some sort of vintage Maryland fried chicken recipe and makes chicken taste fried even if it’s not. Magic! It hit me that Ajika could be Trader Joe’s version of Old Bay. I’m a Marylander—no wonder I like it so much!  

Last night as I sprinkled Ajika seasoning over mac ‘n’ cheese, it got me wondering about the recipes for other crushed red chili pepper-based seafood seasonings i.e. Old Bay and J.O., so I did some research. Did you know Old Bay was first named India Girl, and that seafood houses typically do not use Old Bay to season steamed crabs? It would appear those are fightin' words to some.  (You might’ve noticed large salt flakes on your crabhouse steamed crabs that aren’t in Old Bay.) Turns out, Old Bay is a household brand but usually other seasonings are at work in Chesapeake Bay crab houses’ kitchens.  

I'll post again about Trader Joe's Ajika Georgian seasoning blend, as it's my new favorite seasoning!

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