Are Seasonings Truly Raw ?

[The Mucusless Kidd]

"Seasonings" being the dried seasonings you buy in them jars,.. like: Onion Powder, Black Pepper, Oregano, Chili Powder, Himalayan/Sea/Celtic Salt, Cumin, Coriander, Turmeric, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Ground Cloves, Powdered Ginger, Dill, ETC... -- you get the picture --

Of course I don't mean just any normal supermarket seasonings. But I got to thinking, even if buying the super good boutiquey organic seasonings, are they "Truly Raw" ?

I mean they should be, as there is no reason in reality to heat them past 118º.... BUT, knowing how the industry is, it may be way faster and more efficient for them to "speed dry" these things in giant heaters that go well past 118º.

So then I ask, should I be on the search always for "truly raw" seasonings ? Considering how much seasonings we use over a years time in all these raw food meals we prepare, I would say if my seasonings are not also truly raw, then I am defeating the purpose of eating 100% raw. IMO

Now I did search quickly online for any seasonings claiming truly raw, and well, I came up short. Not much out there.

So does anyone know for sure the process of all these seasonings of a particular company ? Whats the deal ? Is there a brand that is all truly raw with their seasonings ? Or is this a grey area that will never be answered ?

I mainly buy "Simply Organic" seasonings, as they are organic, and most of the time are the cheapest as well.

Anyone ?? Help --

[punpkin]

I can't wait for the answer to this one because it's been on my list of raw -food- questions-I-need-to-get-answered-at-some-point for a while!

[Lady Green Jeans]

Check out Frontier brand. I worry more about avoiding irradiated spices and seasonings than the rawness or lack of. I figure the little I use does not impact me greatly if they are heated for processing, therefore not technically raw.

[Raw Angel Mom]

Unless you make them yourself, i know most herbs are dehydrated past 125F

Use them anyway and enjoy your food, bless your food and eat your raw food at peace.

I use seasonning when i need them. I found myself no using them as much now, for i seem to find fresh herbs instead.

[speltrong]

I have also found myself wondering this about vinegars. I love love love balsamic vinegar & red wine vinegar, but in the back of my mind i'm always thinking that they probably are not raw?

[MysticTree]

braggs aminos aren't either

[The Mucusless Kidd]

Check out Frontier brand. I worry more about avoiding irradiated spices and seasonings than the rawness or lack of. I figure the little I use does not impact me greatly if they are heated for processing, therefore not technically raw.

Funny story - just decided to call up the brand I buy a lot (Simply Organic). I found out they are owned by The Frontier Co !! LOL.. Both are 100% Organic. I then began to not only ask about what the differences between the two are then, but about this particular rawness question. Both questions were beyond the person I was talking too. So they steered me towards the person to write a letter to and ask all this. I then typed up a very good letter asking ALL questions and in detail.

BUT for now, she did say at Frontier (and Simply Organic) they do know about the vital nutrients in their spices and seasonings, and it is even known down to her level that the company practices air dried processes not over 108º WHEN POSSIBLE....

So I don't know what the "when possible" really meant. And neither did she. But it is good to know they even care enough to begin to "go there" with it. So I say for now, Frontier and Simply Organic are good choices.

I will keep everyone posted on the response I get and even copy and paste it in here.

Unless you make them yourself, i know most herbs are dehydrated past 125F

Use them anyway and enjoy your food, bless your food and eat your raw food at peace.

I use seasonning when i need them. I found myself no using them as much now, for i seem to find fresh herbs instead.

Thanks for clearing that up Mom. I kinda figured as much. And your so right. Best way to be 100% sure is either abstinence or growing, drying and grounding, etc.. them yourself. Or only using fresh.

I have also found myself wondering this about vinegars. I love love love balsamic vinegar & red wine vinegar, but in the back of my mind i'm always thinking that they probably are not raw?

Vinegar I tackled a while ago. I use Coconut Secret's "Coconut Vinegar". Never looked back. It is guaranteed 100% raw, organic and it tastes GREAT ! Definitely a easy answer there for me.

I suggest you try some if you haven't. I was skeptical at first, but once I tried it, I said, thats it. No reason to take my chances elsewhere. Sure its not EXACTLY like every vinegar out there... but how close it is to what I liked and use vinegars for, its way worth it to use only it and not gamble with the other stuff.

[The Mucusless Kidd]

braggs aminos aren't either

Coconut Secret also makes a 100% guaranteed raw and organic Coconut Aminos... And to me, they are way better than Braggs. So thats a done deal too.

I honestly never liked Braggs. Something was wrong with all his stuff IMO from day one. I just had bad vibes and feelings after using them products. I never got on the "health nut hypes" behind Braggs.

[punpkin]

I am very interested to look into these Coconut's Secret brand things- they sound awesome. One of the main (only?) things I took from reading all the Bragg's literature was the idea that fast one day every week is a great idea. I think they were on to something there!

[Lady Green Jeans]

Kidd,

Would love to know more about where to buy the coconut products you referred to.

Good job on checking out the spices. Will look for Simply Organic next time I need a replacement spice.

I, too have been enjoying more fresh spices/herbs when I can. Have planted thyme, rosemary, basil, oregano and chives for years but recently added to my little herb garden some lemon thyme, french tarragon and marjorum. I planted spearmint and peppermint in separate pots as their water requirements are much more frequent. It is so fun playing with these added flavors in wraps, salads or just to shake it up a bit in recipes.

Look forward to your response from Frontier/Simply Organic.

[CathyA.]

I love the fact that the coconut secrets products are more readily available. Check out your local co-op or health food store. The raw coconut sweetener is tastey. Tastes like brown sugar.

[The Mucusless Kidd]

I am very interested to look into these Coconut's Secret brand things- they sound awesome. One of the main (only?) things I took from reading all the Bragg's literature was the idea that fast one day every week is a great idea. I think they were on to something there!

Kidd,

Would love to know more about where to buy the coconut products you referred to. **edit**
Look forward to your response from Frontier/Simply Organic.

Ok guys, most definitely !

Learn about Coconut Secret and their products HERE

You can buy HERE ONLINE

Or, my local Whole Foods has finally been stocking all their products ! I don't know if you got a Whole Foods, but your local health food store should have their stuff. I do NOT think Trader Joes has them though, as for me, Trader Joes has nothing ever. They don't even have coconuts or organic dates !!

And punpkin, most definitely fasting one day every week is a awesome idea and for sure great advice. I really don't want to take anything away from the Bragg's, but honestly, that "idea" is not theirs, but at least they advertised it. You are right. And that is a good thing to do. But long before them, a guy named Arnold Ehret was the first to discover and preach that short frequent fasts were the road to longevity. In particular a "fast for one day every week" motto was his. Although for healing some serious issues he recommended all different types of fasts and lengths. This guy was also the real inventor of "The Master Cleanse", but never gets any credit for it. As he was the first to discover and recommend the same ingredients for a fast if you can't handle a water only fast. He just never "named it". I feel Bragg's, Stanley Burrough, and SEVERAL others all got their original info from Arnold Ehret.

Still no answer from Frontier/Simply Organic yet -- waiting, and most def will post answer --

[Seductive Arts]

I don't know if they are or not. I never thought about it, since to me seasonings is not a food source in my opinion. Yes, we consume seasonings, but I am looking for Mrs. Dash to put nutrients in my body like spinach, apples and nuts.

Personally, I am not going to obsess about whether someone dried their oregano under 100 degrees, or not, especially if I am going to only use 1/4 teaspoon of it to flavor some gazpacho.

[MysticTree]

I don't know if they are or not. I never thought about it, since to me seasonings is not a food source in my opinion. Yes, we consume seasonings, but I am looking for Mrs. Dash to put nutrients in my body like spinach, apples and nuts.

Personally, I am not going to obsess about whether someone dried their oregano under 100 degrees, or not, especially if I am going to only use 1/4 teaspoon of it to flavor some gazpacho.

I think a lot of people let it slide ... but ... fresh herbs are much nicer :)

Georgina

[Seductive Arts]

braggs aminos aren't either

I thought I read on Bragg's that they were raw? I know their apple cider vinegar is raw. If their Amino isn't raw, I am not caring, because Bragg's Amino is much healthier than consuming Kikkoman's Soy Sauce. I mean, sometimes you need to cut your losses, especially when you are know raw or not, the food is still much healthier than other alternatives out there.

It is like have Bragg's Amino, or nothing at all in regards to having SOMETHING that is like soy sauce when you need a soy sauce flavoring for certain recipe dishes.