FAQs

HOW LONG WILL MY SPICES LAST AND HOW DO I CARE FOR THEM?

BEST BEFORE:

Spices don't expire, they simply lose their flavour and aromatic constituents over time. Herbs are best before 2 years, whole spices 2 years, ground spices 1 year, salts indefinitely.

STORAGE:

Store in a cool dark place away from sunlight and moisture. They are best kept in our jars or an airtight container.

CLUMPING:

As our products do not contain anti-caking agents or preservatives they may clump. Simply break it up and continue to use.

ARE YOUR SPICES MADE FRESH?

Our supplier has a purpose built facility that is temperature controlled all year round ensuring maximum freshness at all times.  The warehouse turns over 90% of stock lines within 6-8 weeks guaranteeing the freshest products available.

HAVE THE SPICES UNDERGONE IRRADIATION?

No all of our herbs and spices are irradiation free. 

In Australia there are a few types of treatment that food can undergo on entry into Australia. Ionised Irradiation and Heat Treatment or Steam Sterilisation, are what is typically used should a product require treatment.

Habotat does not sell products that have undergone irradiation treatment however from time to time heat treatment is necessary on some products, most commonly spices.  Steam Sterilisation is used to eliminate micro organisms that might exist in the product and is widely used in the food industry to ensure no bacteria exists in the product prior to consumption.  Products are inspected by AQIS at entry into Australia and put under direction for treatment should it be needed.

ARE ALL YOUR PRODUCTS ACTUALLY CERTIFIED ORGANIC?

Not all of our blends are, but YES the entire organic range absolutely have their certifications! Habotat are proud to be partnered with a long standing award winning Australian Certified Organic Supplier certified with NASAA in Australia. You can have confidence that the processing and packing has maintained its organic certification right throughout the supply chain.

ARE YOUR PRODUCTS SOURCED ETHICALLY AND SUSTAINABLY?

Our supplier's growers are the finest in the world and we work very closely with them to know, the harvest times of particular products as well as production times to make it from the farm to the warehouse. Sustainability and equity share for the farmers and communities is a huge part of the process and priority to ensure they are fairly treated, well compensated and the plant sources themselves aren't sprayed with pesticides or over cultivated to risk extinction.

ARE YOU HACCP CERTIFIED?

Habotat is committed to continuous improvement and providing the best possible quality products.  To that end our supplier has recently developed their Good Manufacturing Practice plans, have been audited and successfully awarded a HACCP certification through Compass Assurance.

What does that mean for you?  

From the selection of farms, how it's received, stored, packed, blended and dispatched, consideration is taken to the environment, potential contaminants and safe food handling practices.

Whilst the risks with dried herbs and spices are low we still have to be observant for foreign objects coming from overseas as well infestation.

Our manufacturer's HACCP GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) plans align well with the NASAA Organic Certification.  The combination ensuring at all times the team are cognitive of any potential risks.

In doing so we can ensure that all the best efforts are made to ensure what you receive is not only great value, fragrant and flavourful herbs and spices, but they are also safe.

IS YOUR PACKAGING COMPOSTABLE OR RECYCLABLE?

There is no plastic here! Our entire spice range is environmentally friendly and has been carefully curated to be re-usable and recyclable from purchase to delivery. Even our packaging and tape are fully compostable.

WHAT SIZE ARE THE SPICE JARS?

Pantry organisation queens, here are the details you need to know. Glass jars are 85mm Height, 48mm Diameter. Jars feature screw cap metal lids and water resistant labels, making them easily refillable. They are dishwasher safe however, the labels will not resist the high water temperature. Made from heavy duty glass, they are quite tough and resistant to breakages. They can stack however, it's best to use some wire racks or spice shelves which as a matter of fact make them easier to find and grab on demand anyhow.