Food for Thought
2021-2022 Blogs
2023 Food Trends to Inspire Your Next Recipe
December 2022
A new year is an opportunity to try new things, and what better way to bring in the New Year than to whip up an exciting and unfamiliar dish? We’re highlighting a few of our favorite culinary trends for 2023.
The Winter Essentials: Herbs and Spices Edition
November 2022
The summer months inspire a specific set of herbs and spices. With the winter season, we can always anticipate a chill in the air, so cuisine during this time of year often incorporates ingredients that warm both the body and the soul. Many of us across the globe are cooped up indoors and cooking, so it’s important to ensure you equip your facility with all these essential herbs and spices for winter.
Meet the Team: Malori Ross
October 2022
Our team is like our spices — each vibrant, bright and unique in their own way. Some are spicy, some are sweet and some might even make you cry, but at the end of the day, they're both best when they are working together.
Today, we're highlighting Malori Ross, Spices by ofi's eCommerce Packaging Lead.
What are Adulterated Spices and Why Does it Matter?
October 2022
Adulteration in food ingredients is not a new phenomenon, with Greek botanists in 200 BC raising concerns about pepper being impure. Even today, the American Spice Trade Association, has stated that “adulteration is one of the major concerns of the spice industry.”
Meet the Team: Stephen Gallegos
September 2022
Our team is like our spices — each vibrant, bright and unique in their own way. Some are spicy, some are sweet and some might even make you cry, but at the end of the day, they're both best when they are working together.
Today, we're highlighting Stephen Gallegos, Spices by ofi's eCommerce Sales Manager.
Meet the Team: Sydney Stout Valla
August 2022
Standard Plate Count (SPC) is commonly used interchangeably with APC (Aerobic Plate Count) and TPC (Total Plate Count). This is described by the FDA as “intended to indicate the level of microorganism in a product.”
Meet the Team: Sydney Stout Valla
August 2022
Our team is like our spices — each vibrant, bright and unique in their own way. Some are spicy, some are sweet and some might even make you cry, but at the end of the day, they're both best when they are working together.
Today, we're highlighting Sydney Stout Valla, Spices by ofi's eCommerce Operations Manager.
What is the Difference Between a Spice and an Herb?
July 2022
At first, you might not be able to identify a distinct difference between a spice and a herb. We explain their unique characteristics in a quick guide.
Summer Spices For Any Dish
June 2022
Summer offers plenty of opportunities to cook something new–not to mention you get to pull out your seasonal favorites again. Why not dress these dishes up? We curated a list of the best summer spices and herbs that will effortlessly transform your dishes this season.
Intro to Manufacturing - Las Cruces
May 2022
The Spices by ofi manufacturing facility located in Las Cruces, New Mexico is the largest red chile processing plant in the world. Here, we operate 24/7 to process 1,000+ SKU's of red chiles grown in the “Hatch Valley” region.
Spices by ofi - Intro to Manufacturing
May 2022
From plant science and sustainability, to manufacturing or product formulation. We harness the category opportunities that our delicious products can combine to create. Making it real at every step, from plant to palate.
Earth Day 2022: Water Asset Management
April 2022
Spices by ofi and Water Asset Management, LLC's Winnemucca Farms are proud to share our collaboration to drive sustainable onion farming outcomes this week of Earth Day 2022.
What is Neo-Pure?
April 2022
To meet today’s ever-growing consumer expectations, we want to provide the highest level of food quality, safety and nutrition to our customers. This is why we've partnered with Neo-Pure, an innovative organic pasteurization technology developed by Agri-Neo, to further enhance food safety.
US Grown Farm Spotlight: Garlic
March 2022
Tony Azevedo credits Stone Land Co's success in growing garlic and the company's other crops, to founder Jack Stone, son Bill Stone, general manager of the vast operation; and others, including the people "behind the scenes. They are great people - they make it work - we have very little turnover. We treat them right, and they treat us right."
Malabar Black Pepper
February 2022
Malabar pepper was one of the commodities most sought after by the ancient Roman and Arab traders and later by the early European navigators. Find out why.
US Grown Farm Spotlight: Onions
January 2022
The onion powder in your dressing, the diced onions in your burger and even the minced onion in your pantry. Have you ever wondered where and how it was grown? Let's explore.
New Name, Same Spices: Introducing Spices by ofi
December 2021
Olam Spices is officially “Spices by ofi,” – with ofi standing for olam food ingredients. This change comes with no difference in the quality of our products. Our spices will still be as flavorful and sustainably sourced, as ever.
US Grown Farm Spotlight: Green Chiles
November 2021
There is a region in the Southwestern United States where "red or green," does not just refer to the colors on a stoplight. In the state of New Mexico aka "the chile capital of the world," growers take pride in the climate, weather and 365 days of sunshine, which coincidentally produces really delicious chiles.
Domestic vs. Imported Paprika and Red Chiles
August 2021
Did you know over 65% of global chile production takes place in China? We’re all aware of the upheaval in global supply chains that was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Consider for a minute the paprika and red chiles that define so much of our cuisine in the US...
Spices in Tea
August 2021
We’re looking at spices in the kettle, beyond the tradition of currant scones at half-past-four. Spice Tea exists in a space that merges history and ancient medicinal practices. Read on for mugshots (pun intended) of spices as main ingredients.
Celebrating National Herbs & Spices Day
November 2021
We all know, if you want to make something delicious, you have to add an herb or spice to affect the aroma, color, flavor and heat of your dish. But have you ever wondered how to differentiate between the two?
Using Garlic as a Natural Fly Repellant for Your Herd
March 2021
On top of conventional solutions, some beef producers have turned to garlic powder as a natural product to include in their fly control program. Studies have shown that cattle fed with garlic may emit an odor through their skin and breath that can deter flies. It can be a safe, natural, easy-to-use solution, compatible with specialized diets such as grass-fed and organic. It’s also cost-effective.
Supporting Women in Northern Vietnam
March 2021
Ly Thị Kieu has been a cassia farmer for many years and had been depending on several middlemen in the past to sell her cassia, which meant she was often shortchanged on pricing. Find out how Olam Spices supported Ms. Kieu to grow more cassia and earn a higher premium for her products.
Exploring Mexican Cuisine with Chef Danny
February 2021
Tacos, burritos, pozole and sopes. These are only a very small portion of dishes that come from Mexican cuisine. Today, Chef Danny Espinoza talks us through the ingredients, the dishes and the history of Mexican cusine.
Everything to Know About GardenFrost™ Purées
January 2021
Olam Spices' proprietary line of GardenFrost™ purées allow product formulators and recipe developers to incorporate clean-label color and flavor into formulations without losing any functional performance in the process. Find out more about our frozen purées.