Mia Patel
KFC's blend of 11 herbs and spices is one of the most famous trade secrets in the catering industry. The recipe was perfected in 1939 by Colonel Harland Sanders, who kept it a closely guarded secret. KFC has never revealed the ingredients, and the original handwritten recipe is kept in a vault at KFC's headquarters in Louisville. However, in 2016, a reporter was shown a recipe from a Sanders family scrapbook, and the Chicago Tribune published a leaked recipe, which was said to be spot on. The recipe includes a blend of paprika, garlic salt, white pepper, dry mustard, and more, and has been used to create the iconic KFC breading since the 1950s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Secrecy | KFC's 11 herbs and spices is a closely guarded trade secret, with the original recipe kept in a vault at KFC's headquarters. |
| Public Awareness | In 2016, a reporter was shown a recipe from a Sanders family scrapbook, and the Chicago Tribune published a leaked recipe, but KFC denied its authenticity. |
| Recipe | The recipe includes flour, salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG), black pepper, paprika, garlic salt, white pepper, dry mustard, sage, savory, and Tellicherry black pepper. |
| Preparation | Chicken is dipped in water, dried, and coated in the spice blend, then fried in vegetable oil, palm oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, or corn oil. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
KFC's 11 herbs and spices is a closely guarded secret
KFC's blend of 11 herbs and spices is one of the most famous trade secrets in the catering industry. The recipe is closely guarded, with KFC going to great lengths to protect it. The original, handwritten recipe is kept in a vault at KFC's headquarters in Louisville, and the company employs various companies to contribute different ingredients, ensuring that no one supplier knows the full recipe.
In 1983, William Poundstone conducted laboratory research and claimed that a sample of KFC's coating mix contained only flour, salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and black pepper. However, Poundstone's findings have been disputed, with some arguing that there are indeed 11 herbs and spices in the mix. In support of this, it has been noted that KFC chicken is coated in a spice blend before frying, and that employees are provided with pre-mixed spices, indicating a more complex blend than just salt and pepper.
Despite KFC's efforts, there have been a few close calls where the secret recipe almost got out. In 2016, a reporter was shown a handwritten recipe from a Sanders family scrapbook, provided by Colonel Sanders' nephew, Joe Ledington. The recipe, which Ledington claimed contained the original 11 herbs and spices, included two cups of flour and a prevalence of white pepper. However, Ledington later backtracked, saying he wasn't sure if it was the same recipe used by KFC today. KFC, of course, denied the recipe's authenticity.
Another incident occurred during an interview with Joe Lexington, the nephew of Colonel Harland Sanders. While looking through a family photo album, they discovered a recipe for 11 herbs and spices, handwritten by Claudia Sanders, the Colonel's second wife. This recipe was published by the Chicago Tribune, who tested it and claimed it produced a taste indistinguishable from KFC's chicken. The recipe includes paprika, garlic salt, white pepper, dry mustard, and more.
While the exact 11 herbs and spices remain a mystery to the public, KFC's secret recipe has undoubtedly sparked curiosity and contributed to the company's success.
The One Where Chick and Duck Disappear
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The recipe was perfected in 1939 by Colonel Sanders
The recipe for KFC's famous fried chicken was perfected in 1939 by Colonel Harland Sanders. Sanders' gas station in Corbin, Kentucky, was so well known for its fried chicken that he decided to remove the gas pumps and build a restaurant and motel in their place. However, he was not satisfied with the dry and unevenly cooked chicken produced by deep frying. In 1939, he discovered that using a pressure fryer yielded tasty, moist chicken in eight or nine minutes.
Sanders' secret recipe is a blend of 11 herbs and spices. He asked Bill Summers of Marion-Kay Spices in Brownstown, Indiana, to recreate his secret blend. Sanders preferred the Marion-Kay seasoning to the corporate version, believing that the latter had been made inferior by the corporation's inattention. He recommended the Marion-Kay seasoning to franchisees.
In 1983, William Poundstone examined a sample of KFC's coating mix and claimed that it contained only flour, salt, monosodium glutamate, and black pepper. However, others have argued that there are indeed 11 herbs and spices in the mix. In 2016, a reporter was shown a handwritten recipe from a Sanders family scrapbook, which was said to contain the original 11 herbs and spices. Joe Ledington, Colonel Sanders' nephew, claimed that he had helped Colonel Sanders blend the spices as a boy. However, Ledington later expressed uncertainty about whether the recipe he shared was the same as the one closely guarded by KFC.
KFC has denied that the recipe revealed by Ledington is authentic. The original handwritten recipe is kept securely inside a vault at KFC's headquarters in Louisville. KFC employs various companies to contribute different ingredients to the recipe, ensuring that no one knows the full recipe.
Heat Lamps: Are They Essential for Raising Chicks?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The original recipe is kept in a vault at KFC's headquarters
The KFC Original Recipe is a closely guarded secret, with the recipe kept securely in a vault at KFC's Louisville headquarters. The recipe, which consists of 11 herbs and spices, is signed by Colonel Sanders and stored alongside 11 separate vials, each containing one of the ingredients.
KFC has gone to great lengths to protect the secrecy of the recipe, employing two different firms, Griffith Laboratories and McCormick & Company, to formulate the blend. Each firm is given only half of the recipe to maintain confidentiality. Additionally, KFC uses various companies to contribute different ingredients, ensuring that no single entity knows the full recipe.
In 2016, the world came closer than ever before to discovering the famous 11 herbs and spices when a reporter was shown a handwritten recipe from a Sanders family scrapbook. Joe Ledington, Colonel Sanders' nephew, claimed to have found the recipe and shared it with the Chicago Tribune. The recipe, titled "11 Spices," included measurements and instructions to mix the spices with 2 cups of flour to create the iconic KFC breading.
However, Ledington later expressed uncertainty, stating he couldn't be sure if the recipe he provided was the same one closely guarded by KFC. KFC, unsurprisingly, denied the authenticity of the recipe. The company has a long history of keeping the original recipe a secret, with only a few individuals privy to the full list of ingredients.
While the exact 11 herbs and spices remain a mystery, some have attempted to uncover the ingredients through laboratory research and interviews with those close to Colonel Sanders. William Poundstone, in his book "Big Secrets," claimed that a sample he examined contained only flour, salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and black pepper. Others, including Winston Shelton, a former friend of Sanders, confirmed the presence of Tellicherry black pepper. Sanders himself recommended the Marion-Kay seasoning blend to franchisees, believing it to be superior to the corporate version.
Portion Control: Understanding 8-Ounce Chicken Sizes
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The recipe was leaked in 2016 by Colonel Sanders' nephew
KFC's Original Recipe is a closely guarded secret mix of 11 herbs and spices used to produce fried chicken. The recipe was perfected and finalised by Harland Sanders, also known as Colonel Sanders, in 1939 or 1940. The recipe is so famous that it is considered one of the company's most valuable assets.
In 2016, a Chicago Tribune reporter claimed to have uncovered the secret recipe. The reporter, Joe Ledington, was Colonel Sanders' nephew. Ledington shared a handwritten recipe from a Sanders family scrapbook, which he claimed contained the original 11 herbs and spices. According to Ledington, he helped his uncle blend the spices as a boy for the restaurants. However, he later expressed some uncertainty, stating that he didn't know for sure if it was the same recipe that KFC uses today.
The recipe is called "11 Spices" and includes instructions to mix the spices with 2 cups of flour. While the specific ingredients remain unknown, Ledington noted the prevalence of white pepper. After obtaining the recipe, Tribune staffers conducted a cooking test, attempting to recreate the iconic KFC chicken. They had to determine the correct measurements and decided to soak the chicken in buttermilk before frying it in oil at 350 °F (177 °C) in a pressure fryer.
While KFC denied the authenticity of the recipe, the incident sparked widespread interest and speculation. Many people have tried to recreate the recipe at home, and some have even claimed to have successfully recreated the iconic KFC taste.
Despite the leak, KFC maintains that it adheres to Sanders' original 1940 recipe. The company has employed various measures to protect the secrecy of the recipe, including using different companies to contribute ingredients, keeping the original handwritten recipe in a vault, and shipping the spices already mixed to restaurants.
Protecting Your Chicken Run: Keeping Raccoons Out
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The recipe includes flour, salt, pepper, and MSG
KFC's 11 herbs and spices recipe is a closely guarded secret. The original handwritten recipe is kept in a vault at KFC's headquarters in Louisville. However, in 2016, a Chicago Tribune reporter claimed to have discovered the recipe in a Sanders family scrapbook. According to the reporter, Joe Ledington—Colonel Sanders' nephew—the recipe includes flour, salt, pepper, and MSG.
Ledington shared the recipe, which was reportedly handwritten by Claudia Sanders, Colonel Sanders' second wife. The recipe is called "11 Spices" and includes instructions to mix the spices with 2 cups of flour. Ledington claimed that this was the original recipe he had helped his uncle blend as a boy. However, he later expressed uncertainty about whether the recipe was the same one used by KFC at the time.
While KFC denied the authenticity of the recipe, it sparked much interest and speculation. Laboratory research conducted by William Poundstone in 1983 supported Ledington's claim. Poundstone examined a sample of KFC's coating mix and found that it contained flour, salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and black pepper. He documented his findings in his book, "Big Secrets."
The inclusion of flour, salt, pepper, and MSG in the 11 herbs and spices recipe is significant. These ingredients form the base of the coating mixture, providing structure and flavour. The flour creates a crispy texture when fried, while salt enhances the other flavours. Pepper adds a spicy kick, and MSG, a flavour enhancer, boosts the savoury taste of the chicken.
While the exact measurements and remaining ingredients are unknown, Ledington's recipe provides valuable insight into the iconic blend. Recreating the 11 herbs and spices at home involves mixing the spices with flour, coating the chicken pieces generously, and frying them to golden perfection. Though the full recipe remains a secret, these four ingredients—flour, salt, pepper, and MSG—are key components in the iconic KFC flavour.
Hot Chicks in Overstock's New Commercial: Who Are They?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
KFC's blend of 11 herbs and spices is a closely guarded secret. While the exact recipe is unknown, it is believed to include paprika, garlic salt, white pepper, dry mustard, sage, and savory.
In 2016, a reporter claimed to have seen a handwritten recipe for the 11 herbs and spices in a Sanders family scrapbook. The recipe, which was provided by Colonel Sanders' nephew, included 2 cups of flour and an emphasis on white pepper. However, KFC denied the authenticity of this recipe.
The secret recipe is a valuable asset for KFC and is protected by intense security measures. The original recipe is kept in a vault at KFC's headquarters. By keeping the recipe a secret, KFC creates a sense of exclusivity and intrigue, which has been described as a brilliant marketing ploy.
