Greetings from the land of Desert Dust, with the founder and three seasoning bottles

THE ROAD TO DUST.

I’ve spent my career tour-managing rock ’n’ roll bands, traveling the world and collecting culinary souvenirs. Wherever I went, good local food was part of the trip. So was finding something to bring home.

After years on the road, bringing home flavors from all over the world, it became clear: I needed to create the flavor of the California desert with what's in my backyard.

Rick Marino, Founder

Moonrise over desert mountains

SOMETHING TO
TAKE WITH ME.

Whenever I flew out of Palm Springs for another tour, I was struck by the lack of a culinary souvenir from the California desert.

I wanted something distinctive from home to share with my coworkers and friends, but I couldn’t find it.

After moving to the desert in 2010, I started driving out to Indio and Thermal, visiting the date trees and farm stores to learn more about what was growing around me. I wanted to find another way to bring that local ingredient to the table, and make something I could take from home to share.

SOMETHING TO
TAKE WITH ME.

When departing from the Palm Springs airport, headed out on the next tour, I was always struck by the lack of a culinary souvenir from the California desert.

I wanted something distinctive from home to share with my coworkers and friends, but I couldn’t find it.

After moving to the desert in 2010, I started driving out to Indio and Thermal, visiting the date trees and farm stores to learn more about what was growing around me. I wanted to find another way to bring that local ingredient to the table, and make something I could take from home to share.

An instant photograph of palm trees against a pink sky
An instant photograph of palm trees at sunset

BORN IN THE DESERT. MADE FOR EVERYWHERE.

I wanted to take dates in a different direction, pairing their natural sweetness with spices to make something savory.

It wasn’t about one dish or one style of cooking. I was after a seasoning you could use your own way, whether you were making an old favorite or trying something new.

BEYOND THE VENUE.

The tour schedule tells me where I’m going, but not where I’m eating. I like to ask around, find out what’s local and try something I wouldn’t find at home. It’s a cool way to get to know a place beyond the stage door.

Sometimes I bring home an ingredient. Sometimes it’s an idea for the next time I cook.

A desert road beside rocky hills and Joshua trees

From an idea to a bottle

WHEN THE
ROAD STOPPED.

During the pandemic, there were no tours to manage. I finally had the chance to get to work on the idea.

I started blending, with the aim of making an all-purpose seasoning that brought the California desert to the table.

That became Desert Dust.

A desert road beside rocky hills and Joshua trees

From an idea to a bottle

WHEN THE
ROAD STOPPED.

During the pandemic, there were no tours to manage. I finally had the chance to get to work on the idea.

I started blending, with the aim of making an all-purpose seasoning that brought the California desert to the table.

That became Desert Dust.

The Original Desert Dust all-purpose seasoning bottle.

Start here with the OG!

The Original Desert Dust

$12.99

Where it all began.

  • The Date Is the DifferenceOrganic Coachella Valley dates bring sweetness, body and depth.
  • Smoky & EarthyA balanced all-purpose blend made for everyday cooking.
  • Dust EverythingGood on meat, fish, vegetables, eggs, popcorn, soups and more.
  • Pantry RegularMade to live by the stove and earn its place at dinner.
View full details
The Original Desert Dust all-purpose seasoning bottle.

Start here with the OG!

The Original Desert Dust

$12.99

Where it all began.

  • The Date Is the DifferenceOrganic Coachella Valley dates bring sweetness, body and depth.
  • Smoky & EarthyA balanced all-purpose blend made for everyday cooking.
  • Dust EverythingGood on meat, fish, vegetables, eggs, popcorn, soups and more.
  • Pantry RegularMade to live by the stove and earn its place at dinner.
View full details

A TASTE OF THE DESERT. 
WHEREVER YOU’RE HEADED.

Rick Marino, Founder

I set out to make something I could take from the desert and share.

Now there’s something for you to take home, too. Trust the Dust!