Organic Rosemary

For most British households, the spice rack is a collection of dusty glass jars, many of which have been sitting there since the last house move. We think of spices as mere "flavour enhancers," but in the world of functional nutrition, spices are the most concentrated sources of antioxidants on the planet. However, there is a significant "Potency Gap" between mass-market seasonings and professional-grade whole food spices. At Whole Food Earth, we believe that if a spice isn't potent enough to be medicinal, it isn't fresh enough to be in your kitchen. Here is the guide to identifying quality, understanding the science of "True" spices, and why bulk sourcing is the secret to a high-performance pantry. 1. The Purity Problem: Fillers and Anti-Caking Agents Have you ever wondered why supermarket garlic powder or turmeric stays perfectly free-flowing for years? Often, it’s because of hidden additives. Many industrial spice packers use anti-caking agents (like silicon dioxide) or cheap fillers to bulk out the product. These don't just dilute the flavour; they interfere with the purity of your "Pro" bakes and savoury dishes The Whole Food Earth Organic Standard: Our organic spices are 100% pure. When you buy our Organic Turmeric or Organic Ginger Powder, you are getting the root and nothing else. No fillers, no flowing agents—just the raw, vibrant plant. 2. The Ceylon vs. Cassia Debate: Why "True" Cinnamon Matters If you are buying "Cinnamon" from a standard UK grocery store, you are almost certainly buying Cassia. While Cassia is delicious, it contains high levels of coumarin, a natural compound that can be hard on the liver in large doses. The Authority Choice: Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Known as "True Cinnamon," Ceylon is native to Sri Lanka. It has a lighter, more citrusy flavour profile and contains significantly lower levels of coumarin. For the health-conscious baker or the daily "Cinnamon Coffee" drinker, Ceylon is the only professional choice. Shop Organic Ceylon Cinnamon TRUE CINNAMON 3. Maximising Bioavailability: The Turmeric & Pepper Synergy Turmeric is perhaps the most researched spice in modern science, celebrated for its active compound, curcumin. However, curcumin is notoriously difficult for the human body to absorb on its own. The Pro Hack: Research shows that pairing turmeric with Piperine (the active compound in Black Pepper) increases curcumin absorption by up to 2,000% The Application: When you buy our Organic Turmeric Powder in bulk, always ensure your pantry is also stocked with our Whole Black Peppercorns. Whether you’re making a "Golden Milk" latte or a batch of curry, this synergy is the key to unlocking the spice's anti-inflammatory potential. 4. Why Buy Spices in Bulk (up to 5kg)? In the UK, spices are often sold in tiny 30g jars at a high markup. For the frequent cook or the professional caterer, this is neither cost-effective nor sustainable. Buying in bulk ensures you always have a fresh supply for high-volume needs, such as: Batch Cooking: Making large-scale meal prep for the month. Fermentation: Using whole spices (like mustard seeds or cloves) for pickling. DIY Spice Blends: Creating your own signature Garam Masala or Ras el Hanout without the "stale" taste of pre-mixed powders. Storage Tip: To maintain the volatile oils that give spices their aroma, store your bulk spices in glass jars in a cool, dark cupboard. This prevents light-degradation and keeps your spices as fresh as the day it was packed. The Whole Food Earth Promise Spices are incredibly valuable. When you are ordering premium Organic Cardamom, or a wholesale 5kg bag of Organic Cumin, you need to know that your investment is well protected. At our warehouse, we treat spices with care and precision. Every order is verified by our team. They make sure that the smallest pouch and the largest bulk bag you receive is exactly what you paid for. We don't just ship flavour; we ship a tracked, verified promise of purity. Ready to revitalise your spice rack? Experience the difference that fresh, organic, and professionally handled spices can make to your health and your cooking. Shop Our Full Organic Spice Collection and the Wild Elephant Range

Are all flowers safe to eat? There are many edible flowers that are delicious and can be used in cooking, baking, ice cream, desserts, cold drinks and infusions. However, not all the flowers are safe to eat and some of them may be poisonous. What flowers are edible? Hibiscus flowers Hibiscus is a large plant with colourful flowers, native to Africa and South Asia. It has been used for centuries as an ornamental garden plant and for medicinal purposes. Only a few hibiscus species have edible flowers, and people use them to make extracts, teas, and supplements. Hibiscus flowers are mostly used to make a refreshing, red-coloured tea. To do so, just put a piece or two of dried hibiscus flowers into a cup of boiling water. Other than that, hibiscus flowers can also be used for jams, desserts, relishes, and drinks. The taste of hibiscus is lightly sweet and similar to cranberry and pomegranate. Hibiscus contains a huge amount of antioxidants and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It can help you lower blood pressure, stimulate diuretic effects, reduce high cholesterol, boost immunity and help with weight management. Lavender flowers Lavender is a plant in the mint family native to the Mediterranean and Middle East regions. It's mostly known for its beautiful, strong floral scent and calming properties. Lavender flowers are also a great cooking ingredient. They can be used for both sweet and savoury dishes, giving them a herby, floral flavour and aroma. It makes a perfect addition to cakes, cookies, muffins, and ice cream and can be used to make an herbal tea. Lavender was used as a holy herb in ancient times, and it is still best known today for its medicinal and therapeutic benefits. Including Lavender in your diet may help improve your sleep quality, relieve stress, improve mood and ease anxiety. Rose petals Dried rose petals can be used for decoration or in many sweet and savoury recipes. You can use them to infuse teas, syrups and juices. These rose petals have a mild, sweet, and floral taste, which is very similar to their delicate aroma. This flower is perfect if you want to add a floral note to recipes or teas. You can also give cakes and other dishes the wow factor by using rose petals as a decoration or garnish. Rose petals contain polyphenols and antioxidants that work to protect your body from free radicals and cell damage. The polyphenols have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cognitive diseases. In addition, they have calming and stress-relieving properties. Passionflower Passionflower plant is a climbing vine with white and purple flowers. The plant is native to America. Passionflower has a mild flavour with a slight grassy earthiness. It can be used to make herbal infusions or added to various dishes as flavouring. However, its most well-known use is for its alternative medicinal properties. Passionflower is believed to have calming properties that can help defeat anxiety, reduce stress, improve mood, and even help with sleep and insomnia. To brew an herbal tea, add 1-2 tsp to boiling water. Include some honey for some added sweetness. Marigold flowers Marigold flowers come from the plant native to North and South America. The flowers' flavour is bitter and slightly spicy, with hints of citrus, mint, and tarragon. Marigold flowers have a pungent, musky aroma. Marigold flowers are also popular in cooking for their colour, as their bright leaves can add a splash of colour to many dishes and drinks. Marigold flowers contain active ingredients that have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and hydrating properties. They help boost the immune system, lower fever, reduce inflammation and help with digestive issues. Marigold is probably best known for its use in teas. For a sweet and relaxing tea, add 1 tbsp of dried flowers to boiled water before letting it steep. What happens when you eat a non-edible flower? Eating the poisonous flower can cause vomiting, skin rash, diarrhoea and even, in some extreme cases, convulsions.

What is Ashwagandha? Ashwagandha is one of the most popular Ayurvedic herbs. Also known as, “Indian ginseng” and “winter cherry“ it has been used for thousands of years in India as a natural medicine. It is believed to heal different conditions, from anxiety to infertility and add strength to the body. Organic Ashwagandha helps improve sleep, concentration, energy levels and athletic performance. In Sanskrit, “Ashwagandha” means “the smell of the horse, " which also refers to its specific scent. The plant's botanical name is Withania Somnifera. It is a small shrub with yellow flowers native to India and Southeast Asia. The Ashwagandha powder is made from the plant’s roots or leaves. How is Ashwagandha used? Ashwagandha is used to help the body manage stress and anxiety. It lowers blood pressure and cortisol levels and strengthens the immune system. It may help people who experience stressful situations and suffer from anxiety, insomnia, and even hormonal dysregulation. It has some calming properties for the brain and improves sleep quality. Ashwagandha combined with magnesium can boost energy levels and improves vitality. What are the benefits of Ashwagandha? It helps reduce stress and anxiety: It lowers blood pressure and cortisol levels and helps you to calm down. It improves the mood: It helps you feel better and relax better. It improves sleep quality: It helps you to get a better rest and sleep. It boosts the immunity system: It helps the body fight certain infections more effectively. It helps achieve hormonal balance: It helps the correct levels of hormones, and this may help control diabetes, menopause symptoms, polycystic ovary syndrome, and other diseases caused by hormonal imbalance. It helps the body adapt to changes: It is great for the brain functioning: It improves cognitive function and mental processes such as thinking, focus, memory, attention and perception. How to use Ashwagandha in recipes? The best way to use Ashwagandha is to make a tea or hot drink or add it to a latte, similar to matcha. Take a teaspoon of ashwagandha powder and add it to a hot plant-based milk like soy milk or oat milk, add some agave and stir.

Food lovers aka foodies are those people who simply love to eat. They often love to cook and bake as well. But be aware, they won't eat anything. Foodies often focus on the best quality foods and the best cooking ingredients. So when you want to offer them a gift, let it be the best foods you can find. Foodies will appreciate a Christmas hamper filled with organic produce, vegetables and fruits, whole foods, organic nuts, fermented foods, quality condiments and pickles, organic olive oil and premium herbs and spices. What to add to a foodie Christmas hamper? Here's the list of products you can be assure, a food lover will love! Rare whole foods & grains Wild rice, freekeh, kasha Wholegrain pasta & noodles wholegrain pasta in different shapes, Italian pasta, Japanese noodles Organic oils & quality vinegars Organic olive oil is always great gift option for a foodie. The best organic olive oil available on the market are Greek olive oil and Portuguese olive oil. There are also some speciality rare oils such as pumpkin seed oil, hemp oil, avocado oil, sesame seed oil and peanut oil as well as a good quality Balsamic vinegar will make a perfect addition to a foodie hamper. Organic nuts Organic almonds, macadamia, pistachios, chestnuts, whole walnuts Organic dried fruits Medjoul dates, dried Mediterranean figs, dried apricots, organic prunes, sultanas Premium herbs and spices Organic herbs: organic oregano, organic Basil, organic rosemary, organic bay leaves, organic thyme, organic sage Organic spices: Ceylon cinnamon, cinnamon sticks, organic black pepper, star anise, cardamon, organic chilli, chilli flakes, Harissa paste, varieties of miso, green, red and yellow curry paste, tandoori Salt Pink Himalayan salt, Kala Namal - black salt, Sea salt, Flor de Sal Pickles and fermented foods Kimchi is many flavours, sauerkraut in different versions, beetroot pickles, cucumber pickles, kombucha Organic tea & coffee Matcha powder, organic roasted coffee beans, 100% Arabica coffee beans, organic green tea, organic Earl Grey, fruit infusions, hibiscus flour

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!

The world's leading nutrition experts and researchers attended NUTS 2022 conference last week to discuss the health research on nuts and dried fruits. The conference summarised the latest evidence on health benefits of nuts and dried fruits, and the opportunities in research for the future. Health benefits of nuts and dried fruits The effects of nut and dried fruit consumption have gained traction over the last years, and supported by growing scientific evidence they have been associated with many health benefits, from cardiovascular health to insulin resistance and diabetes, weight management, lipoproteins and dyslipidemia, inflammation and oxidation, gut health, aging and cognition, and some forms of cancer. More recently, other lines of research have included fertility and nuts and dried fruits as part of sustainable diets. While some areas of research have been put into focus more than others, there is irrefutable evidence that they are nutrient-dense foods with an interesting nutritional composition. Importance of nuts and dried fruits in healthy diet The NUTS 2022 participants highlighted how a joint effort must be made to help bring awareness to the importance of including nuts and dried fruits as part of a healthy diet. The benefits of nuts are wide-ranging and include a variety of nutrients, mono- and polyunsaturated fats, fibre, vitamins, minerals, polyphenols and antioxidants, all which have a beneficial effect on health, and dried fruits contain essential nutrients and health-promoting bioactive compounds such as antioxidants. Nuts and dried fruits in prevention of diabetes Among the future lines of research discussed in the meeting, experts highlighted the potential role of nuts and dried fruits in the prevention of diabetes, which is of particular relevance in today's world. According to the International Diabetes Federation, there are currently 537 million people worldwide with diabetes, and this number is projected to reach 700 million people by 2045. Prevalence is increasing worldwide, leading to over 4 million deaths every year, and in countries such as China and India, the number of deaths attributable to diabetes are extremely high: 1.4 million and 648,000 people, respectively. Lifestyle measures and a healthy diet have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying type 2 diabetes, which is the most common type of diabetes. NUTS 2022 took place from 20 till 21 October and gathered the brightest minds in the field of nutrition research on nuts and dried fruits, including twenty-five researchers and professors from universities in Europe, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Iran, Turkey, the USA and the UK. Chaired by Prof. Jordi Salas-Salvadó, Distinguished Professor at Universitat Rovira i Virgili, the meeting included highly-esteemed researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Loma Linda University, and Penn State University, among others.