Spices & Seasonings

Ceylon has 250x less coumarin than Cassia/Saigon cinnamon. Coumarin is hepatotoxic—daily Saigon can damage liver. Ceylon is true cinnamon.

Burlap & Barrel's Royal Cinnamon is a single-origin heirloom Cinnamomum loureiroi from Vietnam, prized for its high essential oil content and sweetness. The brand sets the industry standard for transparency by publishing heavy metal test results and sourcing directly from smallholder farmers.

Mountain Rose Herbs is the gold standard for botanical safety, utilizing an in-house ISO-accredited laboratory to test for microbes, heavy metals, and pesticides. Their bulk pricing offers the best value for high-purity, organic-certified spices in the US.

These peppercorns are vine-ripened and hand-picked in Zanzibar. Unlike industrial pepper which is often a blend of old crops, these are single-harvest. High piperine content enhances the bioavailability of other nutrients like curcumin. The company is a Public Benefit Corporation focusing on direct trade and supply chain equity.

One of the few brands that explicitly provides batch-specific lab results for heavy metals including lead, arsenic, and cadmium. This product is USDA Organic and non-irradiated. It is specifically marketed for health-conscious consumers who use turmeric for therapeutic purposes.

Essential for health-focused sites because it is 'true' cinnamon (Ceylon), which contains negligible amounts of coumarin compared to Cassia cinnamon. High coumarin intake can be liver-toxic. Mountain Rose Herbs is renowned for strict organic sourcing and sustainability practices.

Coupe grade is the highest quality of Spanish saffron, consisting only of the red tips of the stigmas. Saffron has emerging evidence for mood support and eye health. The Spice House ensures high safranal and crocin content through careful sourcing, avoiding common yellow-style adulterants.

True Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is preferred for health due to its low coumarin content compared to Cassia. Mountain Rose Herbs is a leader in botanical safety, utilizing an in-house lab for GC/MS testing and microbial analysis. Certified Organic and Fair Trade.

Sourced from Afghan women farmers, this saffron is Grade 1 (ISO 3632) meaning it has the highest color strength and aroma. Saffron is often adulterated; Rumi provides a clean supply chain that bypasses the traditional opaque brokerage system. High crocin levels for antioxidant benefits.

Mined from an ancient seabed in Utah, protected from modern ocean pollutants and microplastics. Unlike refined table salt, it contains 60+ trace minerals and no anti-caking agents or dextrose. Excellent for those focused on mineral density and avoiding synthetic additives.

Wildly Organic prioritizes low-heat processing to preserve volatile oils and gingerol content. Their ginger is tested for heavy metals and is non-irradiated. The flavor profile is significantly more potent than mass-market brands, indicating higher active compound retention.

Hidden gem: quality spices product with limited brand awareness.

Hidden gem: quality spices product with limited brand awareness.

Hidden gem: quality spices product with limited brand awareness.

Hidden gem: quality spices product with limited brand awareness.

Hidden gem: quality spices product with limited brand awareness.

These are 'Tellicherry Garbled Special Extra Bold' (TGSEB) grade, representing the top 10% of the harvest by size and flavor complexity. The Spice House's flatpack system ensures high turnover and freshness compared to glass jars that sit on shelves.

A highly accessible but high-quality option. Simply Organic uses a CO2 extraction process for some extracts and ensures all spices are ETO-free (not sterilized with ethylene oxide). Their ginger is consistently rated high for potency and digestive health benefits.

Frontier Co-op is a member-owned organization. Their smoked paprika is oak-smoked rather than using liquid smoke flavorings. It provides a significant antioxidant profile (capsanthin) without the chemical additives found in lower-tier seasonings.

Anthony's is a favorite for bulk buyers. While not single-origin like Diaspora, they batch-test for lead and provide a high-value organic product. It's an excellent choice for those making daily 'golden milk' or large batches of health tonics on a budget.

A functional seasoning used as a salt substitute and iodine source. Starwest Botanicals tests for heavy metals and radiation, which is essential for sea-derived herbs. It is a nutrient-dense addition to a health-focused spice rack.

Focused on the Paleo community, Primal Palate ensures no anti-caking agents (like silicon dioxide) or fillers are used. Their garlic is dried at low temperatures to preserve the sulfur-containing compounds like allicin which are beneficial for heart health.

A reliable, high-volume organic option. While it lacks the single-farm specificity of Diaspora Co, Frontier Co-op is a member-owned organization with strong sustainability standards. It is non-ETO (ethylene oxide) treated and non-irradiated.

Widely available and consistently high quality for a retail brand. Simply Organic (part of Frontier Co-op) supports organic farming and provides a safer Ceylon alternative to common Cassia. Good value for health-conscious consumers who shop at standard grocery stores.

Small-batch roasted and packed in Asheville, NC. The small-batch approach ensures the carvacrol levels (the active compound in oregano) remain higher than in bulk-stored herbs. Excellent aroma and flavor profile compared to generic dried herbs.

Certified Organic and specifically formulated for Paleo/Whole30 diets. Unlike most seasonings, it contains no anti-caking agents, MSG, or hidden sugars. Sourcing is focused on high-quality organic suppliers, making it a clean choice for pre-mixed blends.

Kelp is a potent source of iodine but is prone to arsenic contamination. Starwest Botanicals provides comprehensive testing for heavy metals on their bulk herbs. This is a high-value way to add minerals to a diet when sourced from a reputable tester.

Hidden gem: quality spices product with limited brand awareness.

Hidden gem: quality spices product with limited brand awareness.

Hidden gem: quality spices product with limited brand awareness.

Spicewalla focuses on small-batch roasting and grinding in Asheville, NC. While they lack the deep lab transparency of Pure Indian Foods, the freshness of their dried herbs ensures higher essential oil retention (carvacrol and thymol) than standard supermarket brands.

A solid, budget-friendly organic staple. Thrive Market audits their suppliers for organic compliance and ethical labor. Cumin is excellent for digestion (stimulating pancreatic enzymes), and this version avoids the pesticide residues often found in non-organic cumin.

While often categorized as a superfood, cacao is an essential 'spice' for health-focused cooking (mole, smoothies). It is cold-pressed to preserve flavanols. Note: Cacao can contain cadmium; Healthworks provides a good organic option but lacks the specific batch-testing transparency of the gold-tier brands.

While a mass-market brand, the 'Gourmet Organic' line is a significant step up from their standard line. It is USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified. It lacks the deep sourcing transparency of boutique brands but is a safe, accessible entry point for clean spices.

An acceptable budget option for organic cumin. While it doesn't offer specific harvest dates or farm origins, it meets basic USDA Organic certification requirements, ensuring it was grown without synthetic pesticides. Adequate for general use where high-potency medicinal value isn't the primary goal.

Ancient sea salt from Utah—unrefined with 60+ trace minerals. No microplastics (unlike ocean salts). No anti-caking agents.

Redmond Real Salt is mined from a protected ancient seabed in Utah, making it naturally free from modern pollutants and microplastics found in ocean-harvested salts. It contains 60+ trace minerals and is completely unrefined with no anti-caking agents.

Single-estate Greek EVOO with harvest date on bottle. Third-party tested for purity. UC Davis found 69% of store olive oils are adulterated or rancid.