Why did the price of your 1lb shipment change? We recently raised the the price of our 1lb spirulina shipments by $5. COVID-19 has put a huge strain on UPS, which has forced our shipping costs to go up. This price increase will help us cover those additional costs.
Thank you for understanding. We look forward to serving you in the new year!
What is Spirulina? Spirulina is a blue green microalgae, which is recognized as the most nutrient dense superfood on Earth. It is native to Lake Texcoco in Mexico & Lake Chad, which lies on the southern edge of the Sahara desert. Spirulina thrives in the hot sunny desert, which makes our California farm the perfect growing environment.
How long will fresh spirulina last? About 8 months if you freeze it. Check out our video below to see how you can prep your spirulina for the freezer in 1-2 minutes! PS: Spirulina ice cubes go great in smoothies!
We recommend handling fresh spirulina like you would fish or other short shelf life products. Repeatedly thawing and refreeze your spirulina will cause spoilage. We also recommend eating thawed spirulina that day. Allowing thawed spirulina to sit in the fridge for multiple days will cause spoilage.
Is your packaging REALLY 100% sustainable? Yes! The insulated liner is made of recycled cloth and is compostable. The spirulina packs, cardboard box and cardboard inserts are recyclable. The ice packs are reusable.
What happened to your packaging return program? Due to COVID-19 our shipping partner, USPS, has been underfunded, overburdened with orders and unable to perform scheduled pickups. For this reason, we have decided to suspend our packaging return program. Fortunately, the various packaging items are all reusable or recycleable (see above, Is your packaging REALLY 100% sustainable?).
What does it taste like? Unlike powdered spirulina, a fresh harvest has a light flavor and a light creamy texture.
What recipes can I put it in? Because it has almost no flavor, it will blend in nicely with pretty much anything! If you put it in a drink we recommend blending it for even consistency. To maintain maximum nutritional value do not heat your spirulina past 140F. A good rule of thumb is if the dish is too hot to eat it is too hot for spirulina. You should add your spirulina once the dish has cooled.
When will my order arrive? Harvests are scheduled every Tuesday morning and orders arrive within two days. If you place your order after Monday at 8:00PM your order will ship on the next Tuesday, 8 days later. We do not ship out orders the week of Thanksgiving or Christmas because there are often shipping delays and packages can spoil in transit.
Why does it cost more than other spirulina? At Oasia Farms, you get what you pay for. Every package of spirulina is hand made with the highest quality materials. Our packaging is 100% sustainable and all of our fertilizers are food or fertilizer grade specifically selected for growing spirulina. We also carbon filter all of the water used in our ponds. Growing in a rural high desert environment ensures pristine air quality. Every input has been carefully selected to produce the highest quality spirulina available. Check out our Quality page or try some and see the difference for yourself!
Is it gluten free? Non-GMO? All natural? Vegan? Yes!
How many servings are in a 1lb order? There are 30 servings per 1lb order.
How much do you recommend eating per day? For most people, we recommend 1 tablespoon per day (about 15 grams). You can always increase the serving size for a more powerful cleanse, extra protein or an added boost to spirulina's many health benefits. Remember, spirulina is an immune booster and a detoxifying agent. If you have gut issues, an auto immune disease or are going through cancer treatment start with smaller servings and see how your body reacts.
Will it turn my tongue green? Absolutely! :) Can I see the Nutrition Facts? There are 3 vacuum sealed bags per 1lb order for a total of 30 servings.
What is your cancellation policy? Orders may be cancelled or delayed as long as the request is made before Monday at 8:00PM.
Is it safe to eat algae? Absolutely! People have been eating spirulina and other algae for centuries. Spirulina has even been GRAS certified (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the FDA. You have probably eaten some algae yourself and didn't even know it. Ever had a blue M&M? The blue tone comes from pigments extracted from spirulina. Note: Individuals with certain rare diseases should avoid spirulina. See below.
Is it certified organic? While we never use pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals, the USDA Organic program does not recognize aquaculture crops like spirulina, making us ineligible for certification. The organics program was designed for terrestrial crops like corn and tomatoes, which are naturally fertilized by manure or compost. Unlike these crops, spirulina naturally grows in soda lakes with mineral deposits serving as fertilizer.
In order to grow spirulina "organically" one would have to put manure or compost into the growing ponds, creating sewage. This is kind of gross to say the least! Ironically, "organic spirulina" ends up being a lower quality, unnaturally grown product.
I have PKU, is it safe for me to consume spirulina? Unfortunately, spirulina is not safe for individuals with PKU. People with this rare disease can not process Phenylalanine, an amino acid that the body uses to build protein.
I have an autoimmune disease, is it safe for me to consume spirulina? For most people, spirulina can invigorate the body's natural defenses, but for those with an overly active immune system it can be harmful. Spirulina is not recommended for individuals with certain autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, MS, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Pemphigus Vulgaris and others.
Is it safe to take spirulina while pregnant? Yes! You should consult your doctor before consuming spirulina if you have any uncommon health conditions like the ones mentioned above.