Raw at Whole Foods (plus carob question)

[veganman]

I have been asking questions at Whole Foods after reading posts about some raw things not being raw. They directed me to their distributor. The distributor called the company and found that 1) Calimyrna figs are sundried, and 2) carob is from Spain (as is the carob at Nature's First Law)- it isn't organic, but maybe wildcrafted? does anyone know if carob needs to be organic? and 3) the cashews are steamed for 10 seconds, then boiled in oil for 90 seconds, then dried at 70 degrees for 6 hours.

Also, Whole Foods said they turn over most bulk items multiple times a day and keep the nuts and fruit in a refrigerator before filling the bins. I liked hearing that.

Also, do I, in general, need to ask about the temperature that fruit is dried at?

[rachelmh]

WOW -- that is great information. I shop at Whole Foods, just bought some cashews yesterday. That boiling in oil thing makes me a bit nervous.

[kiddies]

Are they boiled in oil before or after being taken out of the shell?

[veganman]

Hi Rachel -

this info was for the Whole Foods in Northern California and may differ by region. I found that the tags on the bulk items have acronyms for the distributor. Ask the bulk people at your store and they should give you the info about their distributor.

[jjonak]

Hi Rachel -

this info was for the Whole Foods in Northern California and may differ by region. I found that the tags on the bulk items have acronyms for the distributor. Ask the bulk people at your store and they should give you the info about their distributor.

Did they say anything about the Whole Foods brand frozen fruits? E.g. are they flash frozen or do they blanch before freezing?

[veganman]

Kiddies -

my understanding is that is while the cashews are still in the shell.

jjonak -

I didn't ask them about the frozen food at all, just the bulk.