The Spicy Seasoning You Should Be Sprinkling On Your Watermelon

The list of ways to enjoy a juicy, ripe watermelon seems to be unending, and once you've had the sweet-savory watermelon salads, the watermelon margaritas, and even tried grilling watermelon, you need to experience this punchy, sweet-spicy version of the summer fruit. Watermelon sprinkled with tangy Mexican chili seasoning should be on your list of swicy summertime favorites no matter how you like to spend a sunny day. 

Tajín (ta-HEEN) is inspired by Mexican flavors and tastes good sprinkled on anything from fresh summer fruit to soups and seafood. Like Tabasco and sriracha before it, this spice condiment has gone from regional delight to globally ubiquitous and you can find pocket-sized containers of it in most discerning spice racks. Pairing it with watermelon, however, is one of the seasoning's best uses and results in a fruit snack that is impossible to stop eating. In fact, once you've tried the Tajín-watermelon combination, you might not enjoy eating the fruit any other way. Don't say we didn't warn you.

Made from dehydrated lime, salt, and a combination of dried Mexican chiles, Tajín balances savory, sour, and spicy flavors with just enough room for watermelon's sweetness. Because of its relatively mild spice level, the seasoning can be sprinkled on most watermelon concoctions and will generally elevate the flavor. However, if you're trying it for the first time, the best way to experience it is to sprinkle straight over watermelon pieces. The salty and sour flavors hit first, with the sweet and spicy notes appearing after a few moments.

When serving a crowd, make watermelon sticks to quickly divide up an entire melon into easy grab-and-go pieces. Using a crinkle cutter to cut watermelon when serving it with Tajín is a good idea as the zigzag surface is better at catching more of the condiment. Or, make the viral watermelon fruit roll-up and season it with Tajín for the perfect barbecue-accompanying snack.

Once you've tried it sprinkled on watermelon, you can also use it on margarita glass rims or even blended into smoothies. Tajín is one of several popular Mexican condiments that balance sweet, savory, sour, and spicy flavors. Chamoy, a sauce made from pickled fruits, also uses this flavor combination and tastes equally good on watermelon as well as other summer fruits like mangoes, peaches, and cucumbers.