We buy organic products whenever possible not only because we want to minimize our exposure to chemicals but because the quality/flavor is frequently better than conventional.
When I started replacing my spices, however, I found that the quality of the organic versions was not as good as the conventionally grown. I
think this is because many herbs and spices grow best in certain climates and those farmers are reluctant to change their practices for fear of compromising their product; therefore, the organic versions are grown where conditions are not ideal and no effort is made to correct this because there is a perception that people who buy organic will do so at any cost, even at the expense of flavor.
Not me.
When herbs and spices are used to season food if they don't have any flavor, why use them? If you're using them because of their health benefits, does lack of flavor mean a lower level of the benefit? I think it might.
So, I have been on a quest to find high quality organic herbs and spices. I started this thread to share what I currently buy, where I buy it, and why; and, to ask for other member's suggestions.
If you have favorites, please add them. I buy all our spices online now because I buy them in bulk, store them in glass jars in our dark and relatively cool basement, and refill the small jars in my spice rack as needed.
If the country of origin is not listed, I am reluctant to buy.
http://www.spicesinc.com/t-OR52212.aspx : best quality and good selection but they discontinued organic in May 2012. When I complained, they said they were bringing it back early 2013. Please email Greg and encourage him to do so! Origin was not always listed but they will tell you if you call.
- fennel seed whole (india)
- fennel seed ground (india)
- sage rubbed (dalmatian)
- marjoram leaf (egypt)
- bay leaves turkish (more fragrant then californian)
- cumin seed whole (the best is from iran)
- cumin seed ground (the best is from iran)
- mustard seed ground (canada) (nice fine powder, but not as fine as penzeys)
- paprika (israel) (best is from hungary but I can't find organic)
- cloves
- ginger ground
- fenugreek
http://www.thespicehouse.com/spices/ : best quality but limited selection
- dill weed (USA)
- bay leaves turkish (more fragrant then californian)
- sage rubbed (egypt)
- greek oregano (as opposed to mexican which has a different flavor) (USA)
- cloves whole (sri lanka)
- thyme (USA)
- cumin (turkey) whole
- cumin (turkey) ground
- paprika (israel)
http://indusorganics.com/retail/home.php : good quality, very limited selection. I believe all their product is from India.
- cayenne ground (55K)
- cayenne flakes (55K - nice and HOT! similar to Penzey's pakistani flakes)
- rosemary
- fennel seed
- black peppercorns tellicherry, (jumbo may not fit in your grinder)
http://www.frontiercoop.com/gsearchproducts.php?s=organic&ct=spicesaz : good quality and good selection but they do not list origin. I buy only what's not available elsewhere.
- olive leaves whole (for tea)
- ground jalapeno (55K) (with wonderful flavor, I love this!)
- jalapeno flakes (55K) (no one else sells these)
http://www.savoryspiceshop.com/herbs-spices/organic/ : only source for powdered turkish bay leaves. They don't list origin.
- turkish bay leaves powdered (no one else sells this)
- saffron (morocco) (the best is from spain)
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/bulkherb/bulkherb.html : huge selection, excellent pricing, but quality is variable. Their mustard powder is ground too coarsely for me. Most of the culinary herbs and spices weren't fragrant. Their epicurean oils, however, are phenomenal. I have some of their extracts but have not used them yet. I also have some of their powders, which were much cheaper than Starwest-Botanicals, but now I'm concerned about their potency.
Can anyone advise me on this?- coriander whole (egypt) with whiskers (hate whiskers but no ones sells organic without them)
- coriander ground (india)
- oregano (USA)
- paprika (israel)
- almond oil (I use this to make mayonnaise)
- colinsonia (stone root, for tea)
http://www.starwest-botanicals.com/ : good selection, peppers are good quality. High prices. Their peppers are great and they offer many different heat levels. I have not tried their herbs and spices yet, only their peppers.
Where they offer the same product as Mountain Rose Herbs, with the same origin, MRH is much cheaper but I don't know if the quality is the same.- ghost pepper ground (400K!!) (seasonal) (india)
- habanero ground (200K) (USA)
- cayenne ground (160K) (india)
- cayenne ground (90K) (india)
- cayenne ground (35K) (india)
- chile flakes (35K) (india)
- jalapeno ground (30K) (mexico)
http://www.loschileros.com : quality is excellent but organic selection is limited. Prices are higher than Starwest and MRH but they're the only source I've found for organic new mexico chile. I believe they grow most of what they sell.
- new mexico chile powder (mild with nice chile flavor)
- new mexico chile flakes
- ancho chile powder (chile typically used for chili) much more $$ than Starwest but SW is from Japan???
- chipotle chile powder (smoked, avoid if you care about this)
Natural Zing,
http://www.naturalzing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1958, sells raw organic aji amarillo chile powder (30K) which is similar in flavor to a red jalapeno but a little hotter with citrus overtones.
I used to buy all my spices from Penzey's; first, because they were the best quality, and then because they were local. However, none of their product is organic so I now shop elsewhere EXCEPT for their garlic powder and tarragon for which I have not yet found an acceptable organic substitute. If these are the only two products we use that are not organic, I can justify using them.
Penzey's non-organic garlic powder is grown in the US and the bitter end is removed before processing so the flavor is excellent. All of the organic garlic powder I've found is from china and the few that I've tried have almost no flavor.
Penzey's non-organic french tarragon has the best flavor I've found.
Penzey's used to sell iranian cumin but the embargo prevents that.
BTW, if you disagree with my 'best is from' statements feel free to post your own preferences. These are mine. And, just as the French think their raclette is better than the Swiss version, it's all a matter of opinion so no fighting, please!