natural | herbs and spices

Steam pasteurisation is a natural process used to control micro-organisms in food. Steam pasteurisation is the only natural alternative to the conventional treatment methods (e.g. irradiation) used to control micro-organisms.

Exim Spices commissioned the first Steam Lab in Africa in late 2006. Herbs, spices, tea, nuts and dried fruits and vegetables have been successfully treated in this state-of-the-art facility.

Treatment methods designed specifically for each ingredient ensure that all steam treated products are of optimum quality. Colour and flavour of the products are not compromised however the micro-organisms are still reduced.

The Naturalclean brand has been launched by Exim Spices at the Food Ingredients Africa 2008 show. The Naturalclean brand represents steam pasteurised dried ingredients in bulk format.

The batch system ensures strict batch traceability and prevents any cross-contamination between products. The steam pasteurisation methods have been validated with extensive microbiological testing at SANAS accredited laboratories, and thus ensure complete microbiological control.

A wide range of Naturalclean raw material ingredients can be ordered from Exim Spices, in addition to offering the service of contract pasteurisation of products. Exim spice can custom develop a pasteurisation recipe for any dry, non hydroscopic product required.

Examples of raw materials include:

Spices (ground, seeds, coarse-cut):	Herbs (ground and rubbed):	Dehydrated fruit and vegetables:
Aniseed	Basil	Apricots
Black pepper	Bay leaves	dried tomatoes
Caraway	Coriander leaves (cilantro)	Raisins
Cardamom	Curry leaves	Red bell peppers
Cassia	dill	Sundried tomatoes
Cayenne pepper	Lemongrass
Celery	Marjoram	Seeds:
Chillies	Mint	Aniseed
Cinnamon	Oregano	Caraway
Cloves	Parsley
Coriander	Rosemary	Cereals:
Cumin	sage	Alfalfa
Dill seeds	Thyme
Fennel
Fenugreek
Ginger
Mustard
Paprika
Pimento
Pink peppercorns
Star aniseed
Turmeric
Vanilla
White pepper