Herb and Spice Growers

Spice up your business with herb growers
By Darcy Chadwick Oftentimes you find the key to a delicious dish in the seasoning you purchase from herb and spice growers. It's difficult to imagine what food would be like without the different flavors that the hundreds of herbs and spices offer.

Quality spices and herbs can make or break a business that utilizes sweet or savory seasonings. Whether fresh or dried, blended or not, organic or non-organic, there are numerous options to consider. Determine the following before selecting a spice or herb growing company:

1. Locate top-selling herb and spice wholesalers to find affordable prices.

2. Go one step further, and search out organic spice and herb producers.

3. Look for herb and spice growers that import their products to sell nationally.

Look for wholesale spice growers and herb suppliers, and purchase in bulk

Many herb and spice wholesalers offer their products at a discount if you purchase a multitude of their products. Oftentimes it doesn't need to be the same spice or herb you buy; you might be able to mix and match. Don't hesitate to test out some of the herbs and spices sold by these companies. Compare the prices afterward to see what distributor offers the best deal.
Try:  A major processor and supplier of herbs, Starwest Botanicals offers more than 250 culinary, craft, therapeutic and Chinese herbs sold in bulk. If you're searching for spice wholesalers, check out MySpicer.com. You can purchase as little (ounces) to as much (pound cases) as you desire. As an extra incentive, discounts are offered and handling charges are omitted if you buy a certain amount. Look into Atlantic Spice Company for gourmet spices, herbs, teas and essential oils.

Buy your seasonings from organic herb and spice growers

Don't be afraid to go organic when perusing herb and spice producers. Organics have been known to be superior in taste and flavor when compared to non-organic seasonings. Keep in mind that organics may cost more, but most times you can also purchase organics in bulk, cutting down on the overall expense.
Try:  Taylor's Organic Gardens offers hundreds of herbs and spices in its collection, which you can purchase in a multitude of sizes including a bulk shipment. Mountain Rose Herbs prides itself on being a member of the Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO) organization, which is a prestigious rank upheld by the USDA. You can buy organic herbs and spices in bulk, receiving prorated discounts depending upon how much you purchase.

Scour the seas, and buy from herb and spice growing companies that directly import their products

Some of the best spices and herbs come from foreign countries. But you don't need to worry about contacting these countries directly. Many herb and spice wholesalers act like the middle man, importing the products from countries such as India, Brazil, China and Portugal.
Try:  Chesapeake Spice Company sells six of its popular spices obtained only from other parts of the world. Click on one of its spices to learn more about its history, origin, types and identification. After making your selection, contact the company directly for order information. If you're in the market for raw herbs used for extracts or powders, check out U.C. Medicine. This company imports herbs from China and other countries to sell within the United States.

• If you're in the market for fresh herbs instead of dried, you may want to consider using indoor herb growers. Finding a localized producer can cut costs since you don't have to worry about shipping fees. When used for culinary purposes, keep in mind that you need three times as much fresh herbs compared to dry herbs.