Homemade Tajín (Mexican Chilli-Lime Seasoning)

What is Tajín?

Tajín is practically a national institution in Mexico! It’s a Mexican spice blend of dried red chillies, dehydrated lime juice, citric acid and  sea salt. And silicon dioxide to prevent caking.

How do you pronounce it? Ta-HEEN (hence the accented i).

What is interesting is that Tajín is actually a brand founded in 1985 by the enterprising Horacio Fernandez. His original mix is based on the flavours of his favourite chilli sauce made by grandma that he’d slather all over corn.

Horacio named the mix Tajín, after his visit to an old archaeological site in Mexico, El Tajín, inspired by the place and the fact that chillies (chili peppers), as you may know, are called ají in Spanish.

So the company name is also the name of this tart Mexican spice blend. The original is called Tajín Clásico, and is still my favourite. It’s salty, so, so tangy, a touch sweet and just with a hint of spicy.

Sprinkle some in your palm, lick it, and I dare you not to shiver at its intensity! It’s amazing!