Why Use Organic Ingredients?

The term organic has become synonymous with a variety of products, including – but not limited to – skincare products, hair products, grocery items, etc. Understanding what pure, organic ingredients can do for your overall health is important for anyone looking to eat a little cleaner and reap the benefits of organic foods.

What Does Organic Really Mean?

The word organic specifically refers to how agricultural products are grown and subsequently processed. Regulations to determine which foods are truly “organic” differ from country to country, but in the United States, organic crops must be grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, and bioengineered genes (GMOs).

Organic vs. Nonorganic

Organic crops are treated differently during the growth process compared to their nonorganic counterparts. For instance, organic ingredients are grown using natural fertilizers like compost and manure, whereas conventionally grown produce is grown using synthetic and/or chemical fertilizers.

When growing organic products, weeds are controlled naturally through crop rotation, hand weeding, mulching, and tilling, whereas weeds get treated by chemical herbicides during the traditional process. Regarding pests, organic products are managed by natural methods, like birds or bugs, whereas nonorganic products are sprayed down by pesticides.

Organic Benefits

While most people associate the term organic with physical health benefits, using organic ingredients goes beyond physical health. How the food you consume is grown and processed can ultimately play a major role in your overall mental and emotional health, too. Unsurprisingly, using organic products also has a more positive impact on the environment – and we’re all about treating the environment with respect.

Lack of Pesticides

Nonorganic foods and products almost always contain chemicals like synthetic fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides. The residues from these chemicals in nonorganic ingredients remain in and on the foods, even when purchased from your grocery store. It’s easy to look past this when shopping and meal prepping, but food for thought: Organic foods don’t contain these chemicals. There’s your alternative.

GMO-Free

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) or genetically engineered (GE) foods are plants that have experienced a DNA alteration that cannot occur in nature or traditional crossbreeding. Rest assured that organic food is GMO-free.

Environmental Impact

Organically sourced ingredients are generally better for the environment. Organic farms typically implement strategies to reduce pollution, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and ultimately, use less energy. When farmed without synthetic pesticides, birds and other animals that live close by are also positively impacted.

Freshness

Generally, organic foods are fresher because they do not contain preservatives. Preservatives are designed to keep a food “edible” for longer periods. Organic ingredients are often produced on smaller, or even local, farms – this only adds to the freshness factor.

Nutrient-Rich

Studies have shown that levels of certain nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, were up nearly 50% in organic products compared to nonorganic products.

Buying Organic

Buying organic can be a little pricey. Because of the health benefits and extra care organic foods require to harvest, organic ingredients are typically more expensive than conventionally grown food. When shopping specifically for organic ingredients, whether it’s organic cane sugar, organic cocoa powder, or organic brown sugar, it’s crucial to identify brands that are not only affordable but 100% organic.

That’s where we come in.

At Big Country, we provide consumers with affordable and certified USDA organic ingredients, making it possible to use the best of the best when cooking or baking for yourself and your loved ones. Oh, and our ingredients actually taste good, too. Enough said.

Pop by our online shop to browse our organic ingredients!