New Year, New Look; Same Great Quality

You've probably heard, but we're designing a new website! It's classy, cute, original, spunky, fresh and functional (if I do say so myself).

Here's a little taste of some of our new promotional material. Eye-catching new designs, bright colors and thoughtfully-composed images. But, as always, the same great products at affordable prices!

Happy Earth Day!

For Ferdinand

LOUISVILLE, KY -- Find eSutras Organics at the Kentucky Derby on April 29th for Ferdinand's Ball, the kickoff gala to benefit Old Friends, the Kentucky non-profit thoroughbred retirement facility for racehorses, and to promote awareness and the eventual end to racehorse abuse.

eSutras is donating our products - really lovely gift baskets - for the gala's silent auction and offering samples of some of our delicious food items for patrons and guests. We don't need to tell you this, but just to reiterate: eSutras will always be cruelty-free, vegetarian, small-batch and traditionally handcrafted in the United States. Putting an end to the needless slaughtering of our majestic, prized thoroughbreds is something we really care about!

The gala is named in honor of Ferdinand, the 1987 winner of the Kentucky Derby. Sent to a breeding facility in Japan in the mid-nineties, it was later discovered that Ferdinand had been slaughtered, and to the surprise of his previous owners, who were never told of his fate. 15% of all horses slaughtered in the United States every year are former thoroughbred racehorses. Can you believe we treat these majestic animals (and not to mention expensive investments and prized possessions) so carelessly? What a waste of beautiful life!

So you can imagine that we're really excited to be present at the event to show our support. It will be hosted by NBC's Access Hollywood anchor, Maria Menounos, and catered by chef Kathy Cary of Lilly's Restaurant in Louisville. Lilly's is known for its deliciously authentic Kentucky cuisine, and for always using the best, most local, organic and natural products on the market. We're honored to be in such admirable company!

We'll be starting a countdown and displaying some of the amazing things we'll be bringing with us to the Derby in the coming weeks. 

TGIF, everybody. Have a great weekend.

We're Really Proud of ....

... our new eSutras Organics Gourmet Spices line. Just launched today, and with astounding results! We've only got three spices right now, but they're strange, enticing and delicious. Find them - as usual - at the Dill Pickle Co-op in Logan Square, Chicago (3039 W. Fullerton Ave.).

Pomegranate Peel Powder, Fenugreek Seed & Lemongrass

Wondering what you can do with said strange, yet enticing gourmet spices? Here's what we think:

Pomegranate Peel Powder: Pomegranate Peel isn't a flavoring agent, but it is jam-packed with nutrients, which is why we suggest you use it as an herbal supplement. Add just a little bit of eSutras Organics Pomegranate Peel Powder to your morning smoothie, yogurt, cereal or to soups and stews. According to studies in nutrition and food science, Pomegranate Peel offers you double the amount of vitamin C and antioxidants than is found in the pulp or juice of the fruit.

eSutras Organics Pomegranate Peel Powder, Loose

Fenugreek Seed: Fenugreek is a Middle Eastern spice, used in traditional pickling processes and curry powders and pastes. It has a delicious maple syrup-esque flavor, which is probably why it's commonly used as a lower cost substitute for syrup. We recommend adding eSutras Organics Fenugreek Seed to rice and vegetable dishes, potatoes, leafy greens, curries and stir-fries. 

eSutras Organics Fenugreek Seed, Loose

Lemongrass: Lemongrass is most commonly used fresh in curries and soups, but the dried version that we sell still has that fresh, citrus flavor perfect for seasoning veggies, rice, curries, soups and more. In African and Latin American countries, Lemongrass is often steeped to make a healing tea (we haven't tried this, but it sounds pretty darn good). Lemongrass has purportedly powerful anti-fungal and anti-cancer properties.

eSutras Organics Lemongrass, Loose

Enjoy, everybody. Don't forget you can e-mail marketing@esutras.com for more details, comments, suggestions and questions. And if you're interested in any of the products we feature on this blog, shoot us an e-mail about that, too, because readers can receive 10% off any of these delicious items!

Berberé, Panch Phoran, Quatre-Epices, Vindaloo

Can you guess what all these words have in common? No? Well, we'll just tell you because we're about to burst with excitement . All our new eSutras Organics spice blends are now available at the Dill Pickle Co-op in Logan Square, Chicago!

We've got new packaging, a new look and a bunch of amazing, unusual blends that you'd be hard-pressed to find at other Chicago grocery stores. Here's a little taste of our fantastic new design: 4 oz. of eSutras Cajun Spice seasoning, traditional Bayou Goodness.

Find the Dill Pickle here:

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Wondering what exactly Panch Phoran, Berberé or Vindaloo spice blends are? Check the blog in the next few weeks to find recipes and uses for some of our more exotic varieties.

eSutras Organics Chinese Five-Spice Blend

For now, here's a little bit about eSutras Organics Quatre-Epices Spice Blend:

"Quatre-Epices" literally means "Four-Spice" in French (It's a blend made of four spices, eh? Ours includes Black Peppercorn, Clove, Nutmeg and Ginger). It is used in a variety of traditional French dishes, but it's also found in lots of Middle Eastern cuisine, too. Use eSutras Quatre-Epices spice blend if you want to add peppery heat to soups, stews and vegetables. Season pasta and sauces with a red wine base with Quatre-Epices. Delicieux!

eSutras Organics Quatre-Epices Spice Blend

We're excited to get creative with lots of our products. Have suggestions for improvements or things you'd like to see? Feel free to e-mail marketing@esutras.com with ideas!