While June hosts National Herbs and Spices Day, we believe the entire summer season is the best time to add local spice to your home cooking. From classic crab seasonings to unique custom blends, here are a few Maryland businesses that can help kick your cookouts up a notch.

McCormick & Company
As a global leader in flavor, McCormick  knows a thing or two about bringing unique flavor to its brands. Not only does the company have the largest spice production facility on the planet, it also has its global headquarters in Hunt Valley in Baltimore County. Its iconic Old Bay seasoning has been adding bold flavor to seafood and side dishes for more than 80 years. Other famous McCormick staples include the familiar Frank’s RedHot, French’s mustard, and Zatarain’s products inspired by New Orleans cuisine.

J.O. Spice Company
If you’ve ever ordered a bushel of crabs in Maryland, chances are you have tasted J.O Spice’s  famous crab seasoning. While the Halethorpe company has numerous spices, soups, and accessories for purchase, its most well-known items include “No. 1 Brand Seafood Seasoning,” rated the top pick by customers, for fish, shrimp, meats, poultry, and more; and “No. 2 Crab House Spice,” which adheres to the crab and gives a true Chesapeake Bay flavor for locals and visitors alike.

Fuchs North America
For 75 years, Fuchs  has been a leading provider of custom seasonings and flavor solutions. With its corporate headquarters in Hampstead, this 21-acre Carroll County campus houses the company’s executive offices, as well as its main manufacturing, packaging, and warehousing processes. From proteins and soups to baked goods and dairy items, Fuchs has a full range of innovative products to help season a meal.

Elite Spice Inc.
Based in Jessup, Elite Spice  is a manufacturer of custom spices that offers an extensive line of blended seasonings, pure spices, specialty ingredients, and more. Reaching all segments of the commercial food industry, this local business also provides a variety of onion and garlic products, as well as dehydrated fruits and vegetables for your most intricate recipes.

Harbor Spice Co., Inc.
With more than 500 herbs, spices, and seasonings, Harbor Spice  has been producing custom products in Harford County for decades. The Forest Hill company provides its items to manufacturers, gourmet specialists, and health food stores across the country, helping those in the culinary industry to maintain consistent flavor profiles and keep items in-stock as needed.

Chesapeake Spice Company
As a family-owned business in Belcamp, Chesapeake Spice  has a commitment to quality that is second to none. The business operates in two state-of-the-art facilities, and is certified by the state’s Department of Agriculture to produce its organic products right here in Maryland. All raw spices are cleaned using several methods, and then milled and blended to exact specifications in Harford County.