Creating your Own Sazón

Sazón is a word in Spanish that has no direct counterpart in English. It may be occasionally used to describe the degree of seasoning used in a dish, but in Mexico it is more commonly used to explain a cook’s intangible, deft ability to balance flavor.

It is a talent of mastering acidity, seasoning, tradition, and technique. It is not a skill that one learns by simply going to cooking school or working at a nice restaurant. It is an ability to understand and communicate the flavors of ingredients successfully, time after time, no matter what you are cooking and how much you are making. In Mexican food, sazón is a major component, and you will know if a cook possesses it or not at first bite.