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Herbs

As a critical ingredient for your desired flavour profile in baked goods, meats or prepared foods; herbs are a great part of our seeds & spices collection. Herbs are commonly sold as dehydrated leaves or flakes, including basil, chives, cilantro, dill weed, marjoram, moringa, oregano, parsley, rosemary, tarragon and thyme. Be sure to check out our full range of seed & spice offerings, and details about the overall category, below.

What are they?

Seeds and spices are at the heart of every culinary creation. They are the elements that contribute a significant flavour, colour, spice and eating experience that has your customers coming back for more. There are so many ingredients that fall into this category! Blendtek offers a range of black and white pepper, dehydrated vegetables, chillies, paprika, tree and root spices, seeds and herbs. That’s quite a mouthful! We summarize all these things into seeds and spices for simplicity.

Where are they used?

Seeds, spices, peppers, chillies, herbs and dehydrated vegetables are literally found in every type of food product!

 

  • Bakery: Whether its garlic powder in your buns, cinnamon in your rolls, or poppy seeds as a topping for your bagel, there are endless options that range from classics to creative.
  • Beverage: Turmeric and ginger shots are trending and can add a kick to many beverages, or use cinnamon and allspice to craft the perfect brew.
  • Confectionery: Why not add a little kick to your confections with some chipotle powder!
  • Cereals and Snacks: Sesame and poppy seeds in your granola and trail mix, oregano and dill in your savory snacks, the options and combinations are endless.
  • Ice Cream: Cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg and ginger bring elegance that melts in your mouth.
  • Meat: Whether in the protein or in the coating, the perfect spice combination is critical to both meat and plant-based meat products.
  • Prepared Foods: Pizza, sauces, frozen foods, soups, gravies, condiments, dressings…herbs, spices and dehydrated vegetables are the brush strokes you need to create your masterpiece!
Variations and Selection Criteria

Particle size and form is an important consideration. Dehydrated vegetables like onion and garlic can be minced, chopped, granulated or powdered in various sizes. Black pepper and white pepper can be whole, cracked or a variety of grind sizes. Chillies like red pepper, aleppo, chipotle, jalapeno, habanero, paprika, sichuan and ancho can be crushed, diced or ground. Tree and root spices such as cassia, cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, clove, allspice, cardamom and ginger are typically ground. 

 

Seeds are typically whole or ground, such as anise, caraway, cardamom, celery, coriander, cumin, dill, fennel, fenugreek, mace, mustard, poppy and sesame. Sesame seeds may also be hulled (white), black, natural or toasted.

 

Herbs are commonly sold as dehydrated leaves or flakes, including basil, chives, cilantro, dill weed, marjoram, moringa, oregano, parsley, rosemary, tarragon and thyme.

 

Country of origin is something to consider. While certain spices may be isolated to only a short list of growing regions, there can be options. Did you know that minced and chopped onion pieces grown in the US do not burn as much as those originating from India? This is a critical feature if used in a topical application like a bun or bagel. Let Blendtek help you to select the best option to solve your specific challenge.

 

Another important selection factor is how the seeds and spices are sterilized to ensure they are safe for consumption, particularly if used in ready-to-eat foods and beverages that have not undergone a further kill step such as by cooking. Steam sterilization involves exposing seeds and spices to high-temperature steam and is effective in reducing microbial load including pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli with minimal impact on product quality and no chemical residues. However steam may not be suitable for heat-sensitive spices. Fumigation with Ethylene Oxide (EO) or Propylene Oxide (PO) is effective against a broad spectrum of pathogens with minimal impact on sensory qualities, however there are concerns about exposure to chemical residues and cannot be used in organic applications. Irradiation with gamma rays or electron beams is effective in reducing pathogens, spoilage organisms, and insects without chemical residues, however there are public perception concerns and once again cannot be used in organic products. Finally, seeds and spices can be pasteurized with mild heat treatment to reduce microbial load without compromising product quality which is effective against pathogens and spoilage organisms, however this method may not achieve complete sterilization. To summarize, the choice of method depends on factors such as the type of spice, regulatory requirements, and consumer preferences. Each technique has its merits and limitations, and Blendtek can assist you in selecting the right one for your project.

 

And finally, quality is the most critical selection criteria for any food ingredient including seeds and spices. If you have specific requirements related to heavy metals, microbiological, physical or other chemicals, we can customize a product according to your needs. Our products meet Kosher and Halal requirements, and our sources are GFSI certified and thoroughly vetted so you don’t need to worry.

Conclusion

Blendtek can help you optimize the spices you are already using by providing the exceptional service, quality and price we are known for, or we can help you select the best option for your new product development. Whatever the case, reach out to Blendtek for help with your seeds, spices, herbs and peppers today!

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