What Makes Foods Organic?
So, what makes organic foods organic? According to the United States Department of Agriculture, food that features the USDA organic seal is grown and processed following a specific set of regulations. Organic food is grown without toxic or synthetic fertilizers, GMOs, antibiotics, synthetic growth hormones, or artificial preservatives, flavors or colors. Research shows that these specific sort of organic farming practices can improve water quality, increase biodiversity and contribute to soil health. Being certified organic also helps support local economies and reduce the risk for exposing humans, animals and the environment to toxic chemicals.What is the Organic Seal?
It can often get confusing with the different terms that float around, and knowing what is organic and what is not. Organic products are labeled according to the percentage of organic ingredients they have. This information from the USDA breaks down organic labels in a way that’s easy to understand — so you know what to look for!100% Organic
- Organic seal allowed
- 100% certified organic ingredients and processing aids
- No GMOs
- All ingredients comply with National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances
- Certification required
Organic
- Organic seal allowed
- 95% certified organic ingredients and processing aids
- No GMOs
- Non-organic ingredients comply with National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances
- Certification required
Made with Organic
- Organic seal NOT allowed and must specify which ingredients are organic
- At least 70% certified organic ingredients
- No GMOs
- Non-organic ingredients comply with National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances
- Certification required
Organic Ingredients
- Organic seal NOT allowed and product can’t be described as “organic”
- No specific % certified organic
- May contain GMOs
- Compliance with National List not required
- Certification NOT required
Organic Cracked Freekeh
Organic Cracked Freekeh is a traditional food of the Middle East and Northeastern Africa. It’s a young green wheat that has been roasted and cracked, and ours is a good source of magnesium and offers 7 grams of protein per serving. It has a pleasantly nutty and subtly smoky flavor and can be cooked up in 25 minutes, then added to everything from salads to pilafs. You can make a simple freekeh salad with just hot cooked grains, lemon juice, olive oil and fresh herbs, or enjoy freekeh as a hot cereal topped with milk, honey, nuts and fruit. For a spring or summertime dish, this Lemon Mint Freekeh Salad is refreshing and wonderful. It’s made with fresh parsley, fresh mint, lemon juice and zest, toasted pine nuts, garbanzo beans, red bell peppers and diced tomatoes. Keep the ingredients organic for an all-organic salad fit for everything from potlucks to weeknight dinners. If you find yourself loving freekeh like we do, this Freekeh Pilaf with Apricots and Almonds is a tasty one, too! It blends the fantastic flavors of cumin, coriander, lemon juice, diced dried apricots, sliced almonds and cloves. Pair this dish with a roasted organic chicken and a glass of iced tea with lemon — especially on a sunny day.
Organic Amaranth Grain
Amaranth is an ancient grain that was a staple food of the early Aztecs. Its history dates back 8,000 years, when it was first cultivated in Mesoamerica. The Aztecs relied on it as both a food staple and for religious rituals, which gave this grain nicknames like “super grain of the Aztecs” and “golden grain of the gods.” It contains all the essential amino acids (include lysine, which is lacking in most grains) and is a complete protein. Plus, it’s gluten free! Our Organic Amaranth Grain makes a yummy hot cereal or polenta and can be added to baked goods, breads, soups or homemade granolas. Our Coconut Amaranth Porridge with Spiced Apple and Date Compote is the perfect dish to make for a hearty and nutritious breakfast bound to give you fuel throughout the day. The creamy porridge is made with our Organic Amaranth Grain, coconut milk, maple syrup and a pinch of salt, and the compote incorporates chopped apple (like Gala or Jazz), dates, butter, star anise, clove and one small cinnamon stick. Make this in the morning for a dish that will waft wonderful smells throughout the kitchen and entice those still sleeping to get out of bed and start the day! You can also use amaranth grain to make Alegria, a name that in Mexico means “happiness” and is used to celebrate Day of the Dead. This recipe can be found on our bags of Organic Whole Grain Amaranth and requires just three other ingredients — Pumpkin Seeds, sugar and blackstrap molasses. Get the whole family involved in the creation of these simple and sweet bars and enjoy the treat for days to come.
Organic 7 Grain Pancake and Waffle Mix
Breakfast is served with our Organic 7 Grain Pancake & Waffle Mix! It’s easy to prepare, entirely delicious and features a wholesome multi-grain organic flour blend of whole grain wheat, rye, spelt, corn, oat, Kamut®, quinoa and brown rice flours, and flaxseed meal. This sweet-smelling mix will make fluffy hot pancakes or waffles that are packed with fiber, protein, iron, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids. It can also be used for creative breakfast dishes like these 7 Grain Carrot Cake Pancakes, which call for the mix plus milk, egg, oil, finely shredded carrots, golden raisins, chopped walnuts and a fragrant spice mixture of cinnamon and nutmeg. The best part of these indulgent pancakes is the frosting, of course, which is a mix of softened cream cheese, sour cream, vanilla extract and sifted powdered sugar. You can also use our organic grain mix to make breakfast cakes, like this gorgeous 7 Grain Marionberry Coffee Cake. This cake calls for marionberries, though you can change up the type of fruit you use depending on what’s in season. The cake incorporates cane sugar, vegan butter, soy milk and vanilla extract alongside our pancake mix with a topping base of Organic Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour, a bit more sugar and vegan butter and sea salt. This breakfast treat is high fiber, lactose free, organic, vegan and so good!
Organic Spelt Berries
We love these Organic Spelt Berries! They are a relative of modern common wheat with a nutty flavor and a whole bunch of beneficial nutrients. They’re a good source of dietary fiber, iron and magnesium, and though they aren’t gluten free, many find that spelt is easier to digest than other forms of wheat (due to its high water solubility). It has a chewy texture that’s perfect for hot cereal or used in bread, soups and salads. You can even use spelt flour for pasta and baked goods! This Smoked Salmon, Spelt and Spring Greens Tart is a super creative way to integrate this tasty organic product into your springtime diet. The crust uses Organic Spelt Flour, while the filling uses Organic Spelt Berries, so you’re getting the best of both worlds. The addition of Creme Fraiche, baby spinach, asparagus and cold-smoked salmon do the trick, too! This tart makes for an elegant brunch course, but can certainly be eaten at any time of the day. If it’s a spelt soup you’re in the mood for, take a look at this recipe for Chilled Buttermilk and Spelt Soup. It’s adapted from Deborah Madison's Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone and is tangy and flavorful! It features our Organic Spelt berries alongside creamy buttermilk, smoked paprika, turmeric and mint. It’s a chilled soup that’s great to serve for company, especially when you’re dining outdoors in the warmer weather.
Next time you find yourself in the grocery store, we hope you feel a bit more confident about knowing the differences between what is organic and what is not!
Have a favorite Bob’s Red Mill organic product you love to cook or bake with? Feel free to share your recipes with us in the comments below!
We can’t wait to hear what you create.
Sources:
https://www.usda.gov/topics/organic
