Organic Pumpkin Pie Mix - Steenbergs - 40g

A warm drink ritual best accompanies cold winter evenings. Whether it's a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate, it always makes you feel good. As we are approaching the Christmas holiday season, perhaps it's time to consider adding some spices to your drinks. A nice cup of chai latte or a glass of mulled wine is the perfect pairing with sofa time or fireplace in the evening. What is mulled wine? Mulled wine is sweet, warmed red wine mixed with winter spices such as cloves, cinnamon, and citrus fruit peel. There is a mulled wine tradition in nearly every European country where it's particularly popular during Christmas time when the nights are the longest. This is when people like to gather on Christmas markets and enjoy a cup of this warming drink while outside watching festive decorations and enjoying Christmas songs and special treats. Mulled wine goes by many names, like glögg in Scandinavia, gluhwein in Germany and Austria, vin chaud in France, and grzane wino in Poland. These days you can buy it in many supermarkets, but it is also easy to make at home. What do you need to make mulled wine at home? When making mulled wine at home, you need to prepare a large pot and a bottle of some good wine. The wine should be fruity, slightly sweet and not too dry. You can also add some extra vermouth - which will add some bitter-sweetness. The essential ingredients are the Christmas spices, so your mulled wine is intense in flavour. What spices do you add to mulled wine? To make delicious mulled wine at home, you need: dried lemon zest, dried orange zest, cloves, Ceylon cinnamon sticks, dried ginger, brown sugar, star anise, whole allspice. Homemade Mulled Wine Recipe 1 bottle of red wine 1 cup of sweet vermouth 1 cup brown sugar 1-2 lemon zest (or dried orange peel) 1-2 orange zest (or dried lemon peel) 12 cloves 4 cinnamon sticks 4 dried ginger pieces 4 cardamon seeds 4 star anise 10 whole allspice Method: In a large pot, mix all the ingredients. Simmer gently for about 15 minutes until the sugar dissolves in the liquid. Remove the spices and dried fruit before serving. Drink warm!

n the growing UK market for organic produce and health foods, it’s easy to be swayed by beautiful packaging and minimalist websites. We’ve all seen them—the curated "gourmet" shops that look perfect on a kitchen counter. But as we move further into 2026, savvy British shoppers are starting to ask a more important question: "What is actually behind the label?" At Whole Food Earth, we believe that a "premium" food store shouldn’t just be about how a product looks; it should be about the rigorous science, safety, and traceability that brings that food to your table. Here is why transparency is the most important ingredient in your pantry. 1. The "Black Box" of Sourcing Many online food shops act as "middlemen." They buy in bulk, repackage, and sell. But often, the trail ends there. If you ask where a specific bag of almonds was grown or when it was harvested, the answer is often a shrug. The Whole Food Earth Difference: We don't believe in "mystery" food. Our Batch-Tracking system means every single product has a digital passport. Whether it’s Organic Quinoa or Raw Cacao, we can trace it back to the specific harvest. This isn't just a "nice to have"—it’s a fundamental pillar of food integrity. 2. Certificates vs. Claims Anyone can claim their food is "natural" or "high quality." In the UK, these terms aren't always strictly regulated. To truly trust a supplier, you need to look for the "Gold Standards." The Standard: Basic Food Hygiene ratings (the 0-5 stickers). The Authority: SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval). Being SALSA certified means our facility, our staff, and our processes are audited annually by independent experts. It’s a rigorous, scientific standard that many "average" gourmet shops simply don't invest in. When you buy from us, you aren’t just trusting our word; you’re trusting a nationally recognised safety framework. 3. The Nutritional "Deep Dive" A great food store shouldn't just sell you an ingredient; it should help you understand it. Most shops provide a basic calorie count and move on. We believe our customers deserve more. That’s why we explore the complex science behind our products—from the Antioxidant Scale of Cacao Liquor to the Selenium levels in Brazil Nuts. Our goal is to empower you with the same knowledge our Quality Technicians use every day. "In 2026, 'Good Food' is no longer just about taste; it’s about the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly what—and who—is behind your nutrition." 4. Avoiding the "Aesthetic" Trap It’s easy to make a bag of lentils look "artisan." It’s much harder to ensure those lentils were stored at the correct moisture levels, tested for purity, and handled in a way that prevents cross-contamination of allergens. At Whole Food Earth, our "aesthetic" is Integrity. We prioritize: Small-Batch Freshness: Ensuring stock doesn't sit in a warehouse for years. Minimal Processing: Keeping the "food matrix" intact to avoid the dangers of Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs). Expert Oversight: Having a dedicated technical team that understands the microbiology of food safety. The Bottom Line The next time you’re browsing for your organic staples, look beyond the pretty font and the minimalist bags. Look for the batch numbers, the safety certifications, and the expert knowledge. Real health starts with real transparency. And at Whole Food Earth, that’s exactly what we provide. Ready to see the difference for yourself? EXPLORE OUR BATCH-TRACKED COLLECTION of WHOLE FOODS.

We’ve all heard the advice to eat more greens and cut down on sugar. But a groundbreaking new study has revealed a much more urgent warning: even a small increase in Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) can significantly raise your risk of stroke and cognitive decline—regardless of how healthy the rest of your diet is. At Whole Food Earth, we’ve always advocated for a "back to basics" approach to nutrition. As the scientific evidence against industrial food processing piles up, it’s becoming clear that the secret to long-term health isn't found in a lab, but in the soil. The 10% Rule: A Small Change with Huge Consequences A recent study published in the journal Neurology followed 30,000 participants over 20 years. The findings were a wake-up call for anyone relying on "ready-to-eat" meals. The researchers found that for every 10% increase in ultra-processed food intake, the risk of cognitive impairment rose by 16%. Perhaps more shocking was the impact on stroke risk, which was 8% higher for those consuming the most UPFs. A Disproportionate Impact The study, known as REGARDS (REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke), highlighted significant disparities. For Black participants, the risk of stroke rose to 15% with high UPF consumption, largely due to the impact these foods have on high blood pressure. Conversely, the study offered a beacon of hope: those who prioritised unprocessed or minimally processed foods saw their risk of cognitive impairment drop by 12% and their stroke risk fall by 9%. What Exactly is Ultra-Processed Food? In the UK, UPFs now account for more than half of the average diet. But how do you spot them? Ultra-Processed: Pre-packaged soups, frozen pizzas, ready-to-eat meals, sodas, store-bought biscuits, and "pleasure foods" like hot dogs and sausages. These are typically high in salt, sugar, and calories but dangerously low in fibre. Minimally Processed: Simple culinary ingredients like Cold Pressed Oils, herbs, and salt, or frozen vegetables that contain no added chemicals. Unprocessed: Fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, and Organic Grains and Pulses in their raw state. Why Do UPFs Sabotage a Healthy Diet? You might be trying to follow a Mediterranean or DASH diet, but "sneaking in" ultra-processed snacks can undo your hard work. Experts point to several reasons why industrial food is so damaging: Nutrient Mismatch: UPFs are designed to be "hyper-palatable" but lack the essential vitamins and minerals your brain needs to function. Blood Sugar Spikes: High levels of refined sugars lead to insulin resistance, a key risk factor for vascular disease and dementia. The Gut Connection: Additives like emulsifiers, colourants, and artificial sweeteners disrupt the gut microbiome, leading to systemic inflammation—the "silent killer" of brain cells. Inflammation: Ingredients like nitrates (found in processed meats) are directly linked to vascular damage in the heart and brain. How to "De-Process" Your Larder Dr. Andrew Freeman, a leading cardiologist, suggests a simple shift: "What we think of as ‘convenient food’ really needs to change from a package of chips to an apple or a carrot." At Whole Food Earth, we make that shift easy. Here is how you can swap the "factory food" for brain-boosting whole foods: Swap Ready-Meals for Batch Cooking: Use our Organic Red Lentils or Organic Chickpeas to create hearty stews that freeze perfectly. Ditch the Store-Bought Biscuits: Bake your own using Organic Porridge Oats, Raw Cacao, and Natural Sweeteners like Manuka Honey or dates. Replace Salty Snacks: Instead of crisps, try our Activated Nuts or Organic Roasted Pumpkin Seeds for a satisfying, nutrient-dense crunch. Upgrade Your Grains: Switch from white, processed pasta to Organic Quinoa Tri Colour or Organic Buckwheat, which provide the slow-release energy your brain craves. The Bottom Line The science is clear: our brains are not designed to process industrial chemicals. By reducing your reliance on ultra-processed "convenience" and returning to a diet of whole, earth-grown ingredients, you aren't just eating—you’re protecting your future. Protect your brain health today. Shop our full range of Unprocessed Organic Pantry Staples here and join the whole-food revolution.