Owner Review by Bob Wardecker

Sedona Trading Company Trail Gourmet Seasonings
Owner Review
Date: September 25, 2005

packets

Reviewer Information

Name: Bob Wardecker
Age: 44
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 6" (1.5 m)
Weight: 180 lb (82 kg)
Email address: bakpakr at comcast dot net
City: Carlisle
State: Pennsylvania
Country: USA

Backpacking Background:

I have been backpacking avidly more than 35 years. I try to get out at least twice a month for either a weekend hike or week long hikes. For the past few years I have been averaging about 700 mi (1127 km) a year. I hike year round. My usual hiking grounds are the Appalachian Trail Pa sections. I also hike in local state parks and Shenandoah National Park. The trails I hike vary from bushwhacking to graded trails with every trail condition in between. I try to keep my pack as light as possible but mostly I am unsuccessful.

Product Information

Manufacturer: Sedona Trading Company
Year of Manufacture: 2005
URL: http://www.sedonatradingco.com/
Listed weight: ½ oz (14 g)
Weight as delivered: ½ oz (14 g)
Package size: 3 in (76 mm)x 5 in (127 mm) 20 capsules per package.*
MSRP: $2.69, $2.79, $2.89 USD depending on variety

*= as measured

Product Description

Sedona Trading Company makes eight different seasonings. They can be purchased in either twenty count or sixty count bags. I purchased the twenty count bag. The eight varieties are:
Asian Seasoning
Cabo Seasoning
Great Lakes Seasoning
HabaJala Seasoning
Hatteras Seasoning
Italian Seasoning
Sedona Seasoning
Southwest Seasoning

I received the Sedona, Italian, Southwest seasonings well packaged in a card board box. Upon opening the box I found a copy of their recipe book and the seasoning packets. The packets are gold plastic on the face with the name of the seasoning imprinted upon it. On the reverse the plastic is clear with affixed labeling that lists the ingredients and directions for use. To open the packet the top must be initially removed by either tearing or cutting. Each packet can then be resealed via a ziplock strip molded into the packet. Inside the packet are 20 capsules each containing approximately 1/4 tsp. of seasonings. The capsules are made of a clear gelatin and are 7/8 in (22 mm) x 9/32 in (7 mm). They can be used by either pulling them apart and sprinkling the seasonings into the food or adding them whole to the food. It is recommended by the manufacturer that the capsules be added to the food during heating to speed the dissolving of the capsule. Also it is recommended that four capsules be used per pound of meat.

Ingredients

Italian Seasoning
Basil, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, thyme

Sedona Seasoning
Basil, black pepper, chili peppers, cumin, garlic, lemon zest, onion

Southwest Seasoning
Black Pepper, chili peppers, cumin, garlic, onion

Field information
a. Location or locations where the test was conducted: Appalachian Trail, Pennsylvania sections.
b. Description of location (geography, terrain, elevation, etc.): Appalachian Trail. Various elevations ranging from 805 ft (245 m) to 1520 ft (463 m), various terrain ranging from loose dirt trail to rocky trails.
c. Weather conditions (temperature, precipitation, etc.): Weather conditions consisted of rain, warm, hot, i.e., summer, Temperature range from mid to low 50 F (10 C) to highs of 98 F (36 C). The weather was dry during the various hikes but with periods of rain.
d. I purchased the seasonings late spring 2005 and have used them on many trips throughout the summer. I added them to most of the meals I felt needed spicing up. I used them at home for the initial trial.

Summary
I initially purchased the seasonings in late spring 2005 and have been using them ever since. I also use them at home. I have added the seasonings to Lipton, Ramen and I have made chili from scratch with them. I found that combining the different varieties works well. I am well pleased with the seasonings due to their convenience and taste. I have used both methods of adding them to the food I am preparing. I found that the hotter the food is before adding the whole capsule the faster the gelatin dissolved. I expected the spices to clump as the gelatin dissolved but this did not happen. I also found that to my taste the recommended four capsules per pound of meat are not enough. I just added one or two more capsules depending on how the foods tasted. I did not purchase all varieties of the spices, but have used the Italian, Sedona, and Southwest seasonings. I mainly use the Italian for Italian tasting dishes, the Sedona and Southwest for mexican and southwestern tasting dishes. The Sedona and Southwest have a bit of a spicy bite to them so I use them in foods that I want to have bit of heat. I also found that while storing them in my pack that heat did not affect them. The ziplock closure works well in keeping the packets closed and in keeping the elements out. I did have the misfortune to have one of the packets crushed while it was in my pack. The only damage I found to the capsules was that they were a bit flat with none of them breaking.

Things I Like
1. Ease of use
2. Taste
3. Variety of flavors
4. Ziplock sealing
5. Durability

Things I Dislike
I really can’t find fault with the varieties I tried.

Read more reviews of Sedona Trading Company gear
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