Factors that influence the flavor, aroma and potency of your favorite herbs and spices.

Herbs and spices were once a luxury only afforded by the very wealthy. Fortunately, these flavorful indulgences are as close as your local grocer's shelf. But when shopping, keep in mind that not all cinnamon or bay leaf is created equal.

Where an herb or spice is grown, how and when it is harvested, and even how it is dried can all determine the flavor it imparts to your favorite foods.

Volatile Oils are Key
Volatile oils are responsible for much of the aroma and flavor. The higher the oil content, the greater the potency.

Exposure to air causes volatile oil to gradually evaporate, taking much of the flavor and aroma with it. Proper storage can delay this process once you get your herbs and spices home, but there can be significant differences in oil content just based on the species of plant or where and how it is grown.

For example, Spice Islands Saigon cinnamon contains two and a half times the volatile oil of Indonesian cinnamon offered at retail. Compare the two side by side and it’s easy to see the difference. The Spice Islands product has a rich, reddish-brown hue and intense fragrance that enhances everything from classic cinnamon rolls to exotic Indian curries.

Another good example is bay leaf. Flourishing under the warm California sun, Spice Islands bay leaves develop a more concentrated aroma and potent flavor than those grown in any other part of the world. As a result, you only need use one-third of a bay leaf to season your recipes, as opposed to an entire leaf of retail bay.

Purity is Important, Too
In the 15th century, some countries decreed adulteration, or the addition of foreign or inferior substances without the buyer’s knowledge, to be a crime punishable by death. Today, the practice is typically limited to a handful of unscrupulous spice traders intent on replacing valuable ingredients with less expensive ones.

For example, precious saffron stamens may be coated with oil or honey to increase their weight, or cut with other plant materials that are virtually indiscernible to the untrained eye.

In the case of vanilla extract, some manufacturers attempt to conceal the bitter flavor of inferior beans by adding corn syrup rather than simply using high quality vanilla beans, water and alcohol as extracts were intended.

While purchasing an adulterated product is generally not harmful to your health, the real harm comes from paying more for an inferior product that doesn’t contain the full flavor characteristics of the pure herb or spice. Spice Islands works closely with growers to ensure only the purest, highest quality spices are delivered to your table.

What About Organics?
Organic herbs and spices continue to grow in popularity, for the good of people, plants, animals and the
environment.

The herbs and spices are grown on land that has been free from the use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides for three years. Natural farming methods nourish the plants while sustaining the earth.

In the early days of the organic movement, buying organic often meant settling for lower quality. Fortunately, the flavor and quality of many organically grown herbs and spices rivals that of products grown using non-organic
methods.

Spice Islands supports organic agriculture and offers many 100% organic products certified by the USDA. Only the ones that meet stringent standards for quality and flavor earn the right to bear the green 100% organic Spice Islands label.