Food for Thought
2019-2020 Blogs


Black Pepper vs. White Pepper: what’s the difference and which is right for you?
November 2020
As one of the pre-eminent growers, processors and wholesale pepper suppliers in the world, Olam Spices experts are here to provide our customers with the insights and information to help them make the right choice.


Spices Spotlight - Hien Tran
October 2020
Hien Tran is the Regional Quality Assurance Manager at Olam Spices’ Innovation and Quality Center in Fresno, California. It is her responsibility to ensure the products that we produce are safe, high-quality and authentic.


International Day of Rural Women
October 2020
To celebrate International Day of Rural Women, we’d like to highlight some of the initiatives we have created to highlight and support the hardworking women across our global supply chains.


5 Food Industry Trends Worth Watching During the Pandemic
September 2020
The pandemic has significantly affected the food industry — reinforcing some trends, shifting others and reminding us how interconnected our industry is. Learn about five trends that have taken on new relevance during this time.


Paprika, More Than Just a Pepper
September 2020
In 1594, Peter Martyr wrote that the peppers brought home from North America were “more pungent than that from the Caucasus.” A simple endorsement, but from that moment on, the sweet and spicy ingredient exploded across Europe.


Granulated Garlic vs. Garlic Powder
August 2020
When cooking with dried garlic products, you may have wondered when to choose garlic powder and when to choose granulated garlic. The short answer is, it depends. Here are a few factors to consider when cooking with this flavorful spice.


Growing Responsibly: Sustainable California Garlic
August 2020
Sustainability has been top of mind for consumers and businesses, but what does it mean to be sustainable in terms of food? It means better growing practices, sustainable packaging, sustainable supply chains, etc. Let’s explore.


Cooking with Garlic: Easy Recipes and Tips
July 2020
All chefs understand the importance of garlic. Its sharp, pungent flavor can bring a dish from bland to bold, making it a secret weapon ingredient. To bring you some inspiration, we’ve gathered some tips and tricks on cooking with garlic to get you started.


Garlic health and wellness benefits
June 2020
Garlic is one of the most commonly used ingredients in the world. It can be used fresh or dried and is recognized for its distinct, pungent flavor. But did you know, for centuries, long before garlic fried rice or garlic knots, it was revered for its medicinal purposes?


Your guide to specialty peppers
June 2020
With all the delicious peppers Olam Spices offers, you may find it difficult to select the right pepper (or peppers) for your recipes. That’s why we're here to help.


California garlic: the most flavorful garlic in the world
June 2020
Considering the word “flavorful,” can be subjective, we had a third-party study done to define the characteristics of “quality garlic” to settle once and for all, where does the most flavorful garlic come from — California or China?


3 benefits of using dried onion and garlic
May 2020
Garlic and onions are some of the most universal ingredients in the world. Their distinct flavor is used in almost every cuisine and can be found in practically every restaurant and home around the world. Although most people think of these Alliums in their fresh state, they’re also just as impactful dried.


Is your garlic peanut-free?
April 2020
Depending on where your garlic is sourced, there may be peanut residue in your garlic ingredients. How does cross-contact between garlic and peanuts occur? Let’s dive in...


Why traceable garlic matters: The difference between US and Chinese garlic supply chains
April 2020
More than likely, the garlic you’re consuming is Chinese garlic. According to the United Nations Comtrade data in 2018, the United States imported around 199 million pounds of fresh and 155 million pounds of dried garlic. The overwhelming majority of it was sourced from China, but it hasn’t always been that way.
For decades, the garlic consumed in America was largely grown and processed in the United States until the American market became flooded with Chinese imports — driven primarily by lower prices and limited public knowledge about Chinese garlic growing and processing operations.


Why should food manufacturers and restaurants use frozen purées?
March 2020
Consumers crave fresh flavor. Whether they’re eating a frozen entrée or dipping into the signature aioli at their favorite burger spot. So, how do food manufacturers and restaurants ensure that they get the same fresh flavor year-round? Meet GardenFrost™ soft-frozen purées.


How is virus-free garlic produced?
February 2020
Olam Spices’ proprietary, virus-free program helps us produce healthy, consistently delicious, non-GMO garlic. Managed by our experts from seed-to-factory, our comprehensive California grown garlic products offer full-traceability, superior flavor and unrivaled food safety.


How could the coronavirus impact your garlic supply?
February 2020
If the outbreak escalates, there could be restrictions on the movement and consumption of food from China. As China produces more than 80% of the world’s traded garlic, the situation could cause a major disruption in the world’s supply.


Is Garlic The Next Antibiotic For Livestock?
October 2019
Did you know that more than 80% of all antibiotic use in the United States is not by humans but by livestock?


Jay's Beef: A Homegrown Chicago Institution Made Possible With California Garlic
September 2019
Jay’s Beef is a family-owned and operated restaurant based in Chicago, Illinois offering Italian beef sandwiches in a no-fuss setting for more than four decades.


Will the Chinese Tariffs Affect My Spice Order? What You Need to Know About How Your Onion & Garlic Sourcing Will Change
September 2019
Are you worried about how your ingredient sourcing will be affected by the Chinese tariffs? You aren’t alone. Find out how the market is responding to the tariffs.


What’s In Season? Check Out the Olam Spices Harvest Calendar
August 2019
Our spices come in a comprehensive range and variety, and each piece size is designed to suit a range of tastes, dishes, and flavor profiles. If you’re interested in learning more about the seasonality of our spices, check out our spices harvest calendar.


Bulk Spices 101: What You Need To Know Before Buying
August 2019
Today, companies in the food industry are doing more to share the journey of their products throughout the supply chain to communicate quality, consistency, and flavor. But how do you decide which factors are the most important to monitor when sourcing bulk spices for your products?