Behind the Seasoning: Georgia Peach Spice

We're often inspired to create spice blends reflecting the regional cuisine, key ingredients, or culinary influence of different parts of the U.S. When it came to the flavors of Georgia, we quickly decided that meant diving into peaches (learn more about Georgia peaches from the Institute of Culinary Education) and BBQ (this article is a great way to explore the history of Georgia BBQ).

What is Georgia Peach Spice?

Unlike the ubiquitous fall favorite, pumpkin (where the spices contribute much of the flavor to the finished product), the appeal of a perfect peach pie is the distinctive flavor of the peaches themselves. Peruse recipes and you’re likely to find a simple list of ingredients, each of which enhances a flavor note of the peaches. Sugar boosts the sweetness, vanilla adds an aromatic and slightly floral quality, lemon brings a tangy note, and a dash of clove and cinnamon add a kiss of spice. With this in mind, we set out to create Georgia Peach Spice. 

"The idea for Georgia Peach Spice,” Savory Spice founder Mike Johnston explains, “was to take the spices traditionally used to make spiced peaches (cloves, cinnamon, hints of lemon) and convert that flavor profile into a new type of seasoning.”

What does Georgia Peach Spice taste like?

In two words: sweet & spiced. We blended Saigon cinnamon, citric acid, cloves, and allspice with our signature Vanilla Bean Sugar. We had to play around a bit with the various spices to find just the right balance. Initially, the clove flavor was surprisingly strong and even overpowered the cinnamon flavor. It was getting closer but there was still something missing. After a bit of recipe research, we found that lemon zest is added to some versions of spiced peaches. A dash of lemon peel added a tangy burst to the final version of the seasoning.

What other flavors pair well with Georgia Peach Spice?

This seasoning shines on its own but you can boost the spice flavors by adding a pinch of cinnamon. Because the base of this spice blend is Vanilla Bean Sugar, adding vanilla in any form (especially when you're using this spice in baking or dessert) is also a great idea.

How to use Georgia Peach Spice

Once we had our flavorful new seasoning, it was time for the fun part...using it! Our friend, Matt, and co-founder Janet Johnston can both bake up some great treats and used it in a peach pie and in a peach cobbler. After a few taste-tests, those peachy desserts became the recipes for Peach Crumble Pie and Spice Shop Cobbler.

As we mentioned earlier, our Georgia inspirations were both peaches and BBQ. Woody’s Peach BBQ Sauce might surprise you. This family recipe originally comes from co-founder Janet Johnston's father, Woody Chambers. The no-so-secret ingredient is peaches—for a subtle smokiness, try grilling them first! 

Of course, desserts and dishes where peaches are the main ingredient are obvious choices for this sweet seasoning. But don't stop there. The sweetness of root vegetables is a surprising (and delicious) pairing for this spice. Try Rose’s Jamaican Sweet Potato Casserole or Sweet Roasted Root Vegetables.

Recipes using Georgia Peach Spice

We've established that Peach Spice isn't just for peaches.

• Drinks: Pair the spice with fresh fruits for cocktails and non-alcoholic refreshments. Try Georgia Peach Blossom Cocktail or Aguas Frescas Three Ways.
• Snacks: In the same way that Georgia Peach Spice is great for dessert, it's also good for a slightly sweet snack. Enjoy it in Choose Your Own Adventure Trail Mix or Instant Pot Peach Yogurt.
• Grilling: Whether you're grilling dinner or dessert, this spice will give you a great caramelized crust. Make Grilled Pork Chops with Savory Fruit Compote or Grilled Spiced Peaches.
• Sweet Potatoes: The spice and citrus in the blend will elevate sweet potatoes. Try it in Sweet Potato Souffle or Maple Whipped Sweet Potatoes.
• Peaches: Ok, you know we couldn't compile the list without including a take on canned peaches. Honey Spiced Peaches are the perfect way to preserve fresh peaches to enjoy all year long.

Browse more Baking Spices. And whether it's peach season or not, we look forward to hearing about any delicious recipes you create with our Georgia Peach Spice.