Black Forge No. 4 Forged Steakhouse Blend

Black Forge No. 4 is the jar people pick up and turn over in their hands before they read a word of the label. It is genuinely black. Food-grade activated charcoal does that, and it is in there for exactly the reason you think: it looks incredible on a seared ribeye. We are comfortable telling you that, because underneath the theater is a rub that would earn its place on the shelf in beige.

The flavor comes from shiitake mushroom powder, which delivers a deep savory umami that reads as meaty before any meat is involved. Applewood smoke and garlic oil round the edges. Turbinado sugar is the working ingredient: in a screaming hot cast iron pan it builds a crust that is the entire point of cooking a steak at home. Notably, there is no heat here at all. Black Forge is bold without being spicy, which makes it a safe bet for a table with mixed opinions on that subject.

Use it like you mean it. Press it into both sides of a steak, let it sit fifteen minutes so the salt can go to work, then cook it hard and rest it properly. Beyond steak, it is superb on mushrooms, smash burgers, roasted cauliflower, potatoes, meatloaf, and a whole roasted carrot. It also rims a savory cocktail glass better than it has any right to.

Perfect For: Ribeye and strip steak, burgers, mushrooms, roasted potatoes, cauliflower, meatloaf, cast iron dinners, cocktail rims.

Ingredients

• Syracuse flake salt
• Sea salt
• Turbinado sugar
• Onion
• Garlic
• Shiitake mushroom powder
• Food-grade activated charcoal
• Applewood smoke
• Garlic oil

About the charcoal

Black Forge contains a small amount of food-grade activated charcoal, used for its signature dark color rather than for flavor. It is a common food ingredient, though activated charcoal is known to bind with some medications. If you take prescription medication, a quick word with your pharmacist is never a bad idea.

The Details

• 4 oz jar
• Small-batch blended in New York by Salt Spring Spice
• Non-GMO ingredients. No artificial flavors, no artificial colors, no MSG added.
• Store sealed in a cool, dry place away from steam and direct heat
• Best within 12 months of the batch date on the jar

Nutrition

Per 1/4 tsp serving: Calories 0 | Fat 0g | Carbs 0g | Sugars 0g | Protein 0g | Sodium approx. 180mg

Blended by Salt Spring Spice in Syracuse, NY, using Syracuse Salt Co. salt.

If umami is what you are after, meet the rest of the family: Pinch of Umami, Black Garlic Flake Salt, and Espresso Flake Salt.