Kitchen Pepper is the oldest known spice blend of the American South, with versions of the recipe dating back to the 18th century. If there was a "mother spice," this would be it. Its flavors transport you to the Caribbean with its intense peppery notes, all the way to Appalachia with punches of bright acidity from sumac. This all-purpose blend serves as a warm hug to whatever dish you choose, whether sweet or savory.

Kitchen Pepper works especially well in baking recipes that call for warm flavors, like spiced apple pie or gingerbread, but it’s versatile enough for the everyday. To add a mellow smoky heat in quick applications, try a dash or two in split pea soup, a Cobb salad or a casual BLT. For bolder infusions, use as a meat rub to season a rack of ribs or add to a pot of chili or a tray of roasted root veggies to highlight the natural sweetness of your ingredients.

Fun fact: the design on the jar is based on Ashleigh's grandmother's quilts!