1. The Quest for a Simpler Spice Route HARBOR SPICE
100 Industry Lane
Forest Hill, MD 21050
410-893-9500
“But in truth, should I find spices in great quantity
I shall remain, for this purpose I proceed solely in
quest of them” -Christopher Columbus-
Selecting a spice supplier: FACTS TO CONSIDER:
WHEN COLUMBUS SOUGHT A SIMPLER SPICE ROUTE, he sailed with a crew of 90 on three We work with companies and individuals
ships for two long months filled with sickness, exhaustion and famine. Today, you do not have to be who are:
overwhelmed with the journey of seeking a source of spices. If you’re ready to make such a com- Struggling to maintain consistent
mitment, here are questions you could ask to ensure you’re investing your money and time wisely. flavor profiles.
Frustrated with ever changing mar-
1. WHEN WE CONSIDER SPICE SUPPLIERS, 4. WHAT ABOUT PRODUCT AVAILABILITY, ket trends and new regulations.
WHAT SHOULD WE BE ASKING OUR- DON’T SPICES HAVE HARVEST ISSUES? Discouraged with the fear not having
SELVES? Spice Consultants should be able to Yes, make sure that the consulting company product available on a timely basis.
maintain confidentiality of your proprietary holds themselves accountable to specific
information and respond to your require- measurable standards linked to raw material Or satisfied with their current sup-
ments for technical information in a clear and assessment mechanisms in place to benchmark plier, however believe that they may
precise manner. Can your supplier provide the and chart product performance. Ask for the not be buying at a competitive price.
materials you need to assure you are up to results or product development samples you Although locally owned, Harbor
date with all industry regulations and stan- wish to see in order to ensure a good fit with Spice utilizes sources and raw mate-
dards that are necessary for compliance? your established goals. rials from around the globe. We
have been supplying flavors to the
2. WE’RE CONSIDERING ALTERNATE OR 5. WHAT ROLE DOES FOOD SAFETY PLAY food industry for more than a quar-
COMPARABLE PRODUCTS, HOW DO WE IN THIS PROCESS? Your supplier must be ter of a century!
KNOW WHAT’S BEST FOR US? Our ex- trained and certified in Good Manufacturing
perience shows us that the results from Practices as prescribed by FDA, Furthermore,
“extreme-fad-flavors” don’t last. Choose a with all the constant changes in food regula-
spice consultant that offers on-going research tions, you should ask them if they are regis-
and development that will match the profile of tered and certified by an independent third
your targeted market and has the technical party auditor who measures and scores their
resources to meet current needs and pro- level of knowledge, performance and docu-
vide recommendations toward future growth. mentation regarding Food Safety Standards.
3. HOW CAN WE GET A PRODUCT THAT IS 6. HOW CAN WE AVOID BEING CHARGED
CONSISTENT AND NOT ALWAYS TOO MUCH FOR TOO LITTLE QUALITY?
CHANGING? Ask the consulting company if Spices and Peppers are commodities like
they provide a blended product that is consis- stocks and bonds. They fluctuate in price Contact Customer Service
tent with every batch. Mother nature can be based on worldwide trends on a daily basis.
very variable depending of harvest conditions You need to make sure your consultant works HARBOR SPICE CO., INC
and field nutrients. Your supplier needs to with a team of brokers that manages future FOREST HILL, MD 21050
understand those standards and have the ca- positions in the global market so your quality 410.893.9500
pability to control them so your product deliv- and price are not short changed with inferior
ers the flavor you want time after time. substitutes that can be painful in many ways!