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Why organic spices?

posted on Monday, August 11, 2008 10:15 PM

Posted: Prakash Omari, Bangalore

Why we think about organic spices?

At IndiaOrganix, we are passionate about the wonderful tastes, heady smells, glorious colours and the thrill and excitement of high quality turmeric, white pepper, forest vine spices and herbs. We are, also, looking for products that can be traced back to India's farmers and growers.

This provenance and such level of quality only comes through organic products. Organic spice is about respect for the consumer and nature, cooking amazing curries the way consumers expect it to be made without harming, damaging or polluting our environment. But what exactly is organic spices and what’s so bad with non-organic spices?

What it means to India's spice gargen farmers?

To start with, spice farmers must convert their non-organic land – following organic practices for 3 years before they can sell their produce as organic. This is a massive commitment in their time and money.

Organic farming starts in India with the seeds, which must be natural and cannot be genetically engineered. Next comes the soil, organic farming looks to build healthy, living soil that can produce great food. Soil is nourished with manure and compost, rather than with synthetic fertilisers.

Pests and diseases are a major issue for farmers, reducing crop and meat yields. An organic farmer cannot use artificial pesticides or routine antibiotics. Organic farmers protect against disease through maintaining healthy soil, crop rotation, intercropping and using natural controls.

Are organic spices healthier?

With organic spices, you can be sure that artificial processing has been kept to a minimum. Organic spices tend to have higher mineral, vitamin, and curative content. No artificial chemicals are used in farming; no post-harvest chemicals are applied to spice plants.

Put simply, organic spices contains more of the good stuff we need, and less of the bad stuff that we don't need

What about India's ecology and biodiversity?

Organic producers in India's green movement consider the environmental impact of spice & herb production and the welfare of their workers, and their communities:

• Organic spice producers start with the idea that Indian farmers are guardians of the ancient land, respecting the environment, looking to preserve plant and animal species, nurturing the soil and keeping the air and water clean.
• At IndiaOrganix, a key factor in who we buy our spices & herbs is respect for people and their communities. We have a strict policy that guarantees producers a fair market value for the goods they produce. We work closely with our spice suppliers to ensure that their workers are paid a fair wage, as well as given decent levels of sanitation, power and access to education.

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