Organic spices and herbs have been used for medicinal, culinary and aromatic purposes since the dawn of time, and their trade is thought to date all the way back to Neolithic times. Famous trade routes, such as the Silk Road, were used for thousands of years to spread their wonderful flavors and aromas all around the Asian, African and European continents.
Today, the popularity of unique seasonings continues to soar. Organic spices and herbs are irreplaceable for the modern day cook who appreciates distinct flavors from cuisines the world over.
Spices enhance the taste of food, and provide aroma, color, and texture. Modern scientific research also supports the efficacy of many traditional spices and herbal remedies handed down to us as folk medicine, so we appreciate spices and herbs for their many therapeutic health-enhancing benefits as well.
Azure offers an extensive selection of the purest, most flavorful organically grown seasonings from all around the world.
Why Organic Spices and Herbs?
According to the American Spice Trade Association, the average American consumes about 4 pounds of spices per year. That is not a negligible amount, and so — just as with all food — it’s important to be aware of how they are produced, processed and brought to the marketplace.
Like fruits and vegetables, spices and herbs come from plants that are susceptible to many pests and diseases, so conventional growers who seek to maximize profits while minimizing costs often treat their crops with various insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides. Because they are not following organic recommendations, they are also able to use various synthetic chemical fertilizers and other growth enhancers to increase the yield or speed up the growth of the plants.
By contrast, organic growers only use OMRI-approved products and typically manage pests by selectively treating affected crops as opposed to blanket spraying everything.
To eliminate bacteria, mold, insects, and other contaminants in the final product, manufacturers commonly irradiate the seasonings with up to a million rads of ionizing radiation (the equivalent of one billion x-rays!) in order to sterilize and pasteurize them. This practice is known for potentially creating dangerous carcinogenic byproducts.
Why Some Spices are Irradiated
Another way of sterilizing the spices is to fumigate the spices with gases, such as ethylene oxide or propylene oxide. Ethylene oxide has been banned in Europe and Japan because it is known to have potentially adverse health effects and is associated with damage to the central nervous system and cancer in workers that have extensive exposure to it.¹ By contrast, organic manufacturers use benign pasteurization methods such as steam pasteurization, freezing, or natural UV light from sun drying. Organic manufacturers also typically maintain more sanitary processing conditions in order to avoid contamination in the first place.
Non-organic seasonings can contain many additives, such as artificial preservatives, food dyes, anti-caking agents (such as the man-made sodium aluminosilicate), filler ingredients, and flavor enhancers, such as sugar or MSG, an excitotoxin that improves the flavor of food but also has toxic effects on sensitive individuals.
According to the American Spice Trade Association, there is also rampant food fraud or “economic adulteration” in the spice industry, with various prohibited additives intentionally being added to increase bulk or weight, attractiveness, perceived value and therefore profits and competitiveness in the marketplace. Sometimes this can even be a public health problem when the adulterant is a toxic substance. Adulteration also occurs when valuable substances, such as the aromatic volatile oils, are removed from the seasonings and then sold as if they were whole foods.²
How can you avoid these contaminants in your spices? Simply put: Buy organic.
This is the best way to ensure that you and your family aren’t ingesting a dose of unwanted pesticides, chemicals or mystery additives with your meals. And you can always rest easy that organic spices and foods are never adulterated through the use of genetic engineering technology.
Here at Azure, we provide both organic and non-organic spices for our customers. But the non-organic spices we offer include third-party certifications regarding GMOs, pesticides and other Azure-prohibited additives.
Discover the Wealth of Spices at Azure:
BASIL (HS596)
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a wonderful, versatile organic herb that pairs very well with tomatoes, garlic, and lemon flavors. It has a sweet, floral, yet subtly peppery flavor. It is very aromatic with cooling hints of anise and mint.
Basil is also very healthy thanks to all its phytonutrients. Its flavonoids are powerful antioxidants that provide protection against radiation and oxygen-based damage. Its fragrant volatile oils have antibacterial properties. Basil also has anti-inflammatory benefits for digestion and joint health. It is also a good source of magnesium, which promotes relaxation of muscles and blood cells, thereby improving circulation and lessening the risk of irregular heart rhythms. Basil also contains vitamin K and C, manganese, copper, calcium, iron, folate and omega-3 fatty acids.
Our organic cut and sifted dried basil is grown right here in the U.S. When cooking with basil, it should be added at the end so as not to dissipate its volatile aromatic oils. Use it to flavor tomato-based sauces, vegetable soup, salad dressings, poultry stuffing and so much more.
Make some thin crust pizzas and add basil to the pizza sauce.
CINNAMON (HS593)
Cinnamon is an aromatic, delicious spice made from the inner bark of trees called Cinnamomum. After the inner bark is extracted, the woody parts are removed from it, and it is allowed to dry. This is when it curls up to form what we call cinnamon sticks, which are then ground into cinnamon powder.
Our organic cinnamon powder is of the Korintje variety (Cinnamomum Burmanni) and comes to us from Indonesia. Korintje cinnamon is very flavorful and can be as intense and spicy as Cassia cinnamon, but it’s a bit smoother. In small doses, cinnamon is sweet, yet warming with a woody flavor profile. Korintje cinnamon from Indonesia is the most popular type of cinnamon imported into the U.S. because of its good flavor and lower cost than “true cinnamon” (the Ceylon variety).
Cinnamon gets its distinct aroma from a compound called cinnamaldehyde, which is also very healthy for you.
The antimicrobial effects of cinnamon may also benefit your teeth and reduce bad breath. Thanks to large amounts of highly potent polyphenol antioxidants, cinnamon boasts many health and medicinal benefits. It is anti-inflammatory and also has an anti-diabetic effect thanks to its ability to lower blood sugar levels.
You may have heard cinnamon contains a chemical called coumarin, which acts as a blood thinner and can be toxic to the liver. If you only use cinnamon for culinary purposes, the risk of damage with normal consumption of Korintje cinnamon is minimal. If you want to use cinnamon for medicinal purposes, it is recommended to use the Ceylon variety, which is almost entirely free of coumarin.
Use cinnamon when baking pies, cakes, and cookies, in rice puddings and fruit desserts, when making French toast and whenever you want to give your food a hint of sweetness without using sugar. It is also popular in savory Moroccan dishes and commonly used in Indian cuisine that call for Garam Masala (a spice mix containing cinnamon).
Try cinnamon in these festive candied pecans, perfect for the holiday season!
CORIANDER SEED, GROUND (HS606)
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is the seed harvested from the mature cilantro plant. It is native to south-eastern Europe; our organic coriander powder comes to us from Bulgaria.
The whole seed is aromatic with a multifaceted flavor profile. It is musky, yet sweet and floral, with notes of citrus. When ground into a powder, the citrus gives way to a nuttier, more earthy flavor. The characteristic aroma and flavor come from the many essential volatile oils and fatty acids contained within the seeds.
These active plant compounds have many antioxidant and health-promoting properties. Coriander has been studied for its antidiabetic effects that can lower blood sugar levels. It also functions as a digestive aid as it has carminative (anti-flatulent) and antispasmodic properties.
Use coriander to flavor frankfurters, ham spreads, sausage, bean, oxtail and okra soups, salami, and steak sauce. Coriander seeds are perfect for spicing dill pickles and relishes, too.
Be sure to try it in this sweet corn relish recipe!
CURRY, MADRAS, SALT-FREE (HS713)
Curry is a very popular, delicious mix of spices that has been used in Indian cuisine since ancient times. Archaeological evidence dating to 2600 BC suggests that a curry-like spice mix was made by using a mortar and pestle to pound mustard, fennel, cumin, and tamarind pods.
The exact mix of curry spices varies widely depending on the region from which it hails. It also can be yellow, red, brown or green.
Our organic Madras curry is a yellow mix of organic spices that contains black pepper from Indonesia; coriander from Russia; and cayenne pepper, cumin, fenugreek, ginger and turmeric from India.
Because curry contains so many different spices, it is absolutely loaded with a range of diverse phytochemicals, which have unique characteristics and health benefits. Turmeric, the key ingredient in curry, contains high levels of curcumin, which has many health benefits including strengthening brain function and memory.
The other organic spices in our curry mix — black pepper, cayenne pepper, cumin and fenugreek — are also very valuable. Black pepper is an important spice that should ideally be added to everything we cook because it enhances the bioavailability of all the nutrients in food. It also improves digestion by increasing the production of gastric juices and, like coriander, it has carminative effects. Cayenne pepper, well known for its high capsaicin content, which gives it its powerfully spicy flavor, is also very good for you. Like pepper, it aids digestion, and promotes detoxification of the body.
Cumin is another wonderful spice that aids digestion. It has also been studied for its immune boosting effects. The final ingredient, fenugreek, is also helpful for digestion, but it has also been used to treat inflammation in the body and increase breast-milk production in lactating mothers.
With so many healthy spices, it’s no wonder curry has gained popularity all over the world. Use it to season vegetables, fish, poultry, and Indian-style stews made with chickpeas and lentils.
Try curry in this warm, Ayurvedic mung bean salad. Or dress a Thai inspired coleslaw with a curry peanut sauce.
GINGER ROOT POWDER (HS599)
Powdered ginger root (Zingiber officinale) is made from the dried tuberous, underground rhizomes of the Zingiberaceae family. In large amounts, it is spicy, hot, zesty and biting. In smaller amounts, it is sweet and pleasantly warming. This makes these organic spices a wonderful addition to both sweet and savory dishes.
Ginger originated in the tropical rainforest in Southern Asia, specifically on the Indian subcontinent, which is where our organic ginger root powder comes from.
Ginger has been prized for its therapeutic effects since ancient times, and modern science is studying it for its potential as a drug claimchemopreventive agent. Ginger is also a well-known natural folk remedy for motion sickness, nausea and indigestion. It is commonly used to strengthen the digestive system, but it helps soothe and improve circulation as well. But that’s not all! Ginger also strengthens the immune system, bone health and blood vessels.
Use ginger root in breads, pickles, soft drinks, puddings, cookies, ice cream, Asian dishes, soups, and sauces. In short, anywhere you want to add a bit of a zing!
Mix this wonder spice with lemon, turmeric and honey, and use to sweeten a hot cup of tea or milk.
MUSTARD SEED POWDER (HS600)
Mustard seed is one of the world’s oldest organic spices and has been prized for its medicinal properties since ancient times. It comes from the mustard plant in the Brassica and Sinapsis families, and has a hot, spicy, nutty, pungent flavor that causes the body to raise its temperature, sweat and detoxify itself.
Hippocrates, who lived around 460 BC to 370 BC, and is known as "the father of Western medicine," mentioned mustard as a healing agent for several different ailments in his famous texts. Modern science has indeed shown that mustard has several amazing health-boosting effects. It stimulates the appetite and promotes digestion by increasing the production of saliva by up to eight times, and speeds up metabolism by 20-25% during digestion.
Mustard seed contains a compound called Allyl Isothiocyanate, which has been linked to inhibiting bladder cancer development and progression, according to research published in the medical journal “Carcinogenesis.” It is also a good source of selenium and sulphur, which promote healthy circulation, and rich in many antioxidants as well.
Our organic mustard seed powder comes to us from Canada. You might notice that the dry powder has very little, if any, flavor. This is normal because mustard powder needs water to release the essential oils that give it its flavor, and a bit of time to develop its characteristic kick.
Learn how to make your own homemade mustard — it’s easier than you think!
PAPRIKA POWDER (HS818)
Paprika belongs to the Capsicum annuum family of peppers, which includes sweet bell peppers, hot green and red peppers, and all the other pepper varieties in between. Any pepper can be dried and ground into paprika, which is why the flavor and color can vary widely. Our organic paprika powder comes from Israel. It has a beautiful red color, slightly sweet odor and taste, and may have a moderate bite.
Paprika is loaded with phytonutrients, especially carotenoids and vitamin A, vitamin E as well as iron. Just one tablespoon of paprika contains more than 100% of the recommended daily value of vitamin A, which is important for eye health. Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that helps drug claimcontrol blood clot formation and promotes healthy blood vessel function. Iron supports cellular metabolism and energy production. It is well known for its role in the functioning of hemoglobin and myoglobin, the two proteins that transport oxygen around the body so all tissues can function properly.
A tablespoon of paprika contains 1.4 milligrams of iron, which is 8 and 18% of the daily recommended intakes for women and men, respectively.
Use paprika to flavor chorizo, frankfurter, sausages, barbecue sauce, ketchup, stew, goulash, chili con carne, squash dishes and soups. Combine it with other organic spices, such as garlic granules, smoked salt, chili powder, black pepper and cumin, and use as a flavorful rub for chicken breast, salmon, or lean red meat. Sprinkle as a garnish on hummus, casserole-type dishes, baked fish, potato salad and deviled eggs.
Try it in this vegan-friendly sweet and spicy red pepper cashew “cheese” dip.
THYME LEAVES, FINE CUT (HS595)
Thyme is an evergreen herb that belongs to the mint family and is a relative of oregano. There are more than 400 different kinds of thyme with Thymus vulgaris being the most commonly used for culinary, medicinal and ornamental purposes. It has a subtle, dry, herbaceous aroma and a slightly bitter, piney flavor. It is regularly used in several cuisines, especially in France, Italy and around the Mediterranean region. Our fine-cut thyme leaves come to us from Turkey.
Like other herbs and organic spices, thyme is nutrient-dense and packed with many unique plant compounds that give it its specific properties. The active substances in thyme — thymol and carvacrol — are very potent. Thymol is a biocide and can help reduce bacterial resistance to common drugs such as penicillin.
Because of its powerfully antimicrobial properties, thyme is often used to preserve food and prolong the stability of cooking oils, such as olives preserved in thyme-infused oil.
Carvacol is also antiseptic, but more interestingly, it has been shown to affect neuron activity and boost feelings of well-being. Thyme is also a good source of vitamins C and A, copper, fiber, iron, and manganese.
Use thyme to flavor sauerbraten, salami and liver sausages, chicken pot pie, pizza, and other Italian-style sauces. Add it to chowders, consommés and vegetable soups, herb dressings and vinegars, stuffing, white fish dishes and so much more.
Try it in these cheesy bread sticks with a twist.
TURMERIC RHIZOME POWDER (HS769)
Turmeric is made from underground rhizomes of the perennial Curcuma longa plant. Like ginger root, it belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. It has a warm, slightly bitter, earthy flavor and a deep orange-yellow color. Our organic turmeric rhizome powder from Oregon’s Wild Harvest comes to us from India where it has been highly prized for centuries as a culinary spice as well as a natural pigment for dyeing fabrics.
Turmeric root contains many healthy substances and oils such as termerone, curlone, curcumin, cineole, and p-cymene, all of which contribute to its potent healing properties. Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound and the main pigment that gives turmeric its deep orange color, is known to strengthen the mind, provide support for bones and muscles and work as an drug claimanti-inflammatory agent.
Turmeric is low in calories and contains no cholesterol. However, it is a very rich source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins C, E, B6, B5, niacin, riboflavin, potassium, manganese, copper, calcium, iron, phosphorous, zinc and magnesium. The antioxidant strength of turmeric is one of the highest among known herbs and spices. You can read more about turmeric’s properties and the fresh rhizome here.
Increase the nutrient density of any dish with turmeric, including curries, rice dishes, roasted vegetables, scrambles and frittatas, soups, and even smoothies. Learn how to make a golden chai latte.
Make Your Own All Purpose Spice Rub Recipe
Here is an easy, tasty all purpose spice rub that is perfect for flavoring ribs, roasts, poultry, seafood and vegetables. It can also be used as the spice blend in homemade creamy dips or salad dressings.
INGREDIENTS
1½ part oregano (HS602)
1 part cinnamon (HS593)
1 part garlic granules (HS610)
1 part paprika (HS818)
½ part cumin (HS608)
½ part ginger root powder (HS599)
½ part pink Himalayan salt (BP308)
½ part ground black pepper (HS604)
Pinch cayenne pepper, to taste (HS597)
DIRECTIONS
♦ Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well blended. Transfer to small jars with an airtight lid. Keep some on your own spice rack, and give some away to family and friends.
REFERENCES:
¹ https://www.organicconsumers.org/old_articles/Organic/spicesgood.php
² http://www.astaspice.org/food-safety/white-papers/
DISCLAIMER: These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. A healthcare professional should be consulted regarding the use of spices and herbal products beyond regular culinary use. Always keep your doctor or other healthcare professional informed about the herbal and other dietary supplements that you are taking.