Spices, Herbs and Sweeteners

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of tree species from the genus Cinnamomum. Cinnamon is used mainly as an aromatic condiment and flavoring agent in a wide variety of cuisines and sweet and savory dishes.

At Symphony Snacks, cinnamon is a key ingredient in our Apple Cinnamon Crackers and also in our Churro flavored popped and puffed sorghum snacks. It is also an ingredient in our Curry in a hurry popped snack.

Oregano

Oregano is a herb from the mint, or Lamiaceae family. People have used it for thousands of years to add flavor to dishes and in traditional medicine.

At Symphony Snacks, oregano is an integral part of the Pizza cracker, pizza puff, K-Jon puff and K-Jon popped sorghum.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a traditional Indian spice with a powerful compound called curcumin which has anti inflammatory properties.

At Symphony Snacks we use turmeric in our curry spice blend used to flavor the Curry in a Hurry popped sorghum.

Ginger

Ginger root is widely used as a spice and in traditional medicine. At Symphony Snacks we use ginger in our curry spice blend used to flavor the Curry in a Hurry popped sorghum.

Pepper

Black pepper is the world's most traded spice and is one of the most common spices added to cuisines around the world. Its spiciness is due to the chemical compound Piperine. At Symphony Snacks we use pepper in our curry spice blend used to flavor the Curry in a Hurry popped sorghum and our Cajun spice blend used to flavor K-Jon puffed and popped sorghum.

Clove

Clove is native to Indonesia and has been used as a spice and also in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. At Symphony Snacks we use clove in our curry spice blend used to flavor the Curry in a Hurry popped sorghum.

Chili Peppers

Chili peppers are varieties of the berry-fruit of plants from the genus Capsicum, which are members of the nightshade family Solanaceae, cultivated for their pungency. Capsaicin and related compounds known as capsaicinoids are the substances giving chili peppers their "heat" intensity. At Symphony Snacks we use turmeric in our curry spice blend used to flavor the Curry in a Hurry popped sorghum and our Cajun spice blend used to flavor K-Jon puffed and popped sorghum.

Thyme

Thyme is an herb indigenous to the Mediterranean region. Thymes have culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses, and the species most commonly cultivated and used for culinary purposes is Thymus vulgaris. At Symphony Snacks we use thyme in our Cajun spice blend used to flavor K-Jon puffed and popped sorghum.

Cocoa

The cocoa bean (technically cocoa seed) or simply cocoa,is the dried and fully fermented seed of Theobroma cacao, from which cocoa solids (a mixture of nonfat substances) and cocoa butter (the fat) can be extracted. Cocoa beans form the basis of chocolate.

The cacao tree is native to the Amazon rainforest. It was first domesticated 5,300 years ago, in equatorial South America, before being introduced in Central America by the Olmecs (Mexico).

Cacao trees grow in a limited geographical zone, of about 20° to the north and south of the Equator. Nearly 70% of the world crop today is grown in West Africa.

Cocoa contains various phytochemicals, such as flavanols (including epicatechin), procyanidins, and other flavanoids. A systematic review presented moderate evidence that the use of flavanol-rich chocolate and cocoa products causes a small (2 mmHg) blood pressure lowering effect in healthy adults—mostly in the short term. 

Cocoa powder is packed with nutrients, including minerals such as iron, zinc, selenium, and magnesium. 

At Symphony Snacks, we use alkalized and natural cocoa for our Cholate Crackers, that are sweetened with a hint of agave and vanilla in order to preserve the nutrition benefits of cocoa.

Vanilla

Vanilla is a spice derived from orchids of the genus Vanilla. Vanilla is the second-most expensive spice after saffron because growing the vanilla seed pods is labor-intensive. Nevertheless, vanilla is widely used in baking, perfume production, and aromatherapy.

At Symphony Snacks, we use vanilla extract in our Chocolate and Sweet and Salty Crackers and our Churro puffed and popped sorghum snacks.

 Agave

Agave syrup or agave nectar, is a sweetener produced from several species of agave, succulent plants that grow southwestern United States and Mexico. Blue-agave syrup contains 56% fructose as a sugar providing sweetening properties. Blue-agave syrup is 1.4 to 1.6 times as sweet as sugar and 56% fructose content.

At Symphony Snacks we use blue agave syrup as a sweetener in our Chocolate and Sweet and Salty crackers.