When it comes to BBQ rubs and spices, Pereg Natural Foods knows a thing or two. In business for more than 100 years, the New Jersey based, family owned company produces more than 60 all natural and pure spices, procured from the best sources on earth. Here’s some info from Pereg on why and how to use rubs for the perfect BBQ, available at www.pereg-gourmet.com, and at supermarkets, natural food and specialty stores nationwide.

What is a Spice Rub?

Spice rubs are used in every part of the country to enhance the flavor of BBQ. Generally, rubs are a combination of spices which are "rubbed" or sprinkled on the outside surface of meat before you put it on the grill.

Rubs do GREAT things to meat:

•                    Rubs seal the flavor of the meat

•                    Rubs form a tasty crust on the BBQ

•                    Rubs enhance the color of the cooked meat

Most Important - Rubs pull moisture from the air, while drawing juices from the inside of the meat. This reaction is called osmosis. This literally causes the meat to marinade itself as it cooks.   

Rubs are a combination of different spices mixed with salts and sugars. The salt draws moisture out of the meat, and the sugar locks in the flavor of the spices by caramelizing on the meat’s surface and sealing in all the great spice flavors. The sugar also assists in osmosis.

Spices in rubs can include allspice, onion, garlic, cinnamon, chili pepper, paprika, mustard, cumin, sage, or thyme, just to name a few.

Pereg Natural Foods is one of the first to offer its Mixed Spice BBQ, a unique blend of spices for the most flavorful grilling, roasting and baking.

If you want to make your own rub, here’s Pereg’s special BBQ Rub recipe:  Combine 1 tablespoon each of Pereg brand cumin, paprika, granulated garlic, granulated onion, chili powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and white pepper with 2 tablespoons kosher salt and 1 tablespoon brown sugar. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Or to make it easier – combine ½ cup of Pereg BBQ Spice Mix with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. Store in an airtight container.

Advantages of Rubs Over Marinades:

•                    Rubs are more economical than marinades

•                    Rubs do not need any refrigeration

•                    Rubs have a long shelf life

•                    You use only the amount you need and can save the rest

•                    Rubs add a colorful and tasteful crust to the finished meat

•                    Rubs self-marinate the meat so you don't have to marinade while you cook

•                    Rubs are EASY to use on meat

•                    Rubs make it easier to control the flavor of the meat

•                    Rubs are perfect for larger pieces of meat such as spareribs, briskets, and tenderloins

A rub can either be wet or dry. Wet rubs have some liquid in them that give them the consistency of a paste. Some rubs (such as Pereg Natural Foods Mixed Spices BBQ) start out as a dry rub, but when heated, become a paste.

Why is it called a rub? Some prefer to rub the surface of the meat with the dry rub mix.  Others prefer to shake the rub on the meat. Either way, the rub will enhance the natural flavor of the meat, add flavor from the spices, and keep the meat tender on the inside while giving it a perfect char on the outside.

You can apply rub a few days before you cook the meat, wrap it up in plastic wrap or butcher paper, and put it in the refrigerator. For larger pieces of meat, this works best. Add a generous portion of the rub at first to the meat. After it sits for a few days, add a little more rub before cooking.

In addition to spices, Pereg Natural Foods (www.pereg-gourmet) is a leading producer of premium ancient grains, gluten free flours and an extensive line of quinoa and couscous products. They manufacture all their products from start to finish, controlling the quality from the sourcing until the product is packed and ready for the consumer.

All Pereg products are kosher certified by both the Orthodox Union (OU) and CRC, are dairy and lactose-free as well as all natural, with no additives or preservatives. Many products are also certified gluten-free and non-GMO. Pereg Natural Foods products are available at select retailers throughout the US and Canada, and on their website, www.pereg-gourmet.com. Follow Pereg Natural Foods on Facebook.com/pereggourmet, Twitter @pereggourmet and Instagram @peregnatural.

I was sent 3 different mixed spices from the Pereg brand to try out and I have to say, I am impressed. I received the Chicken, BBQ, and Meatball mixes. As soon as they came in I figured I'd try them on our leftovers from our Father's Day BBQ. I tried the meatball and chicken mix on some leftover hamburgers and BBQ chicken and it was absolutely delicious! I tried the BBQ mix with my potato salad (which I'm the oddball who likes to eat it heated up instead of cold) and thought it added a great flavor to it. My guess is, if they can add good flavor to leftovers then they can certainly make some fresh food taste amazing!

What I liked about these spices is not only is it in a nice, non-breakable (plastic) container, but I love the easy to read signage/label on each bottle along with the graphic image. It was clear as day as to the name, what it was, etc. Also, all ingredients were listed on each bottle as well. Also, each bottle had two opening options: One for general sprinkling over your meal/food and the other end for allowing more spice to come out at once. You can also unscrew the cap if need be depending on your cooking needs.

Overall, I believe that Pereg is a high-quality brand with amazing flavor to their spices. Everything was fresh and fully sealed upon arrival. Also, I found their pricing to be reasonable as well with the average going rates of spices. I believe you definitely get your money worth out of their spices, though, and could honestly recommend them.