Herbie’s Achieves World’s Best Title

 

So often the phrase “World’s Best” is used to promote a business or product.

However, Herbie’s Spices has been bestowed the title of World’s Best Spice Store by Foodandwine.com.

“Having visited spice stores and spice markets around the world, we were thrilled to hear that a US website had recognized us.”

Herbie’s Spices is the only Australian spice store to be included in the list, which also highlights spice stores from Los Angeles, Tel Aviv, India, Paris, London, China and Morocco.

The honour shouldn’t come as any surprise; with Herbie’s Spices recently celebrating their 16th birthday and their spice range of over 300 items, now including 108 spice mixes with over 70 of these unique to Herbie’s Spices.

“Herbs and spices are agricultural commodities, and it has always been my obsession to source and blend the very best that are available.”

This nod from Foodandwine.com has encouraged Herbie’s to continue exploring other taste sensations to be able to offer their customers a world class spice experience.

“We never cease searching for good spices and learning about great spice combinations, as this is vital if we are to uphold the title of One of the World’s Best Spice Stores”.

*Source: http://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/worlds-best-spice-shops#!slide=14

Mushrooms Provide a Vital Solution for Australia’s Vitamin D Deficiency Epidemic

A new Sydney University study released today proved that mushrooms can provide 100 per cent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin D – a deficiency affecting more than a third of Australians.

In addition, research just released by Australian Mushroom Growers found that almost half of Australians don’t know the health risks associated with low vitamin D levels and a third of us aren’t even sure if we are getting enough.

Professor Rebecca Mason, Deputy Director at Bosch Institute and Head of Physiology at Sydney Medical School, who assisted with the research, says vitamin D is essential to maintaining bone health and general wellbeing.

“Low Vitamin D levels cause poor calcium absorption that can result in osteoporosis, a disease affecting more than one million Australians. Vitamin D is also important in helping us fight infection, heart disease and even type-two diabetes,” she said.

The Australian research investigated the vitamin D levels of three standard button mushrooms exposed to direct midday sunlight. Results confirmed that mushrooms generate vitamin D levels in a similar way to humans and an average serve* can provide 100 per cent of an adult’s vitamin D requirement (10 mcg).

Accredited practising dietitian, Glenn Cardwell, says vitamin D rich mushrooms are an effective way to achieve our daily requirement.

“After one hour in direct sunlight, your mushrooms won’t diminish in flavour or appearance but will have adequate vitamin D levels. It’s a real breakthrough in nutritional science and this small change may help the millions of Australians overcome their vitamin D deficiency,” says Cardwell.

“Despite so many Aussies suffering a vitamin D deficiency, over a third of us aren’t able to name a single source of vitamin D, according to consumer research. The research also found that 84 per cent of Australians don’t know you can actually get your much needed vitamin D from food.

“Foods like sun-exposed mushrooms are a great source of vitamin D and for those of us who are sun conscious, this is obviously great news,” he says.

However, Cardwell warns that not all foods containing vitamin D can provide the amount we need.

“To achieve enough vitamin D you could eat half a kilo of fatty fish such as tuna or salmon, around five tablespoons of margarine or half a litre of vitamin D fortified milk. Mushrooms however, can provide all the vitamin D we need, in just one serve,” concluded Cardwell.

(1) Quantification of Vitamin D levels in mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) exposed to sunlight, Applied Horticulture Research – 2013

(2) Professor Daly, Dakin University 2012 www.deakin.edu.au/news/2012/160112vitaminddeficiency.php

*One serve = 100g is equivalent to three average button mushrooms.