Why did the price of your 1lb shipment change? We recently raised the price of our 1lb spirulina shipments by $10. Inflation has driven our shipping, labor and fertilizer costs up significantly. 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 are the advantages of fresh frozen spirulina over powdered spirulina? Unlike powdered spirulina, fresh frozen spriulina hasn't been processed or altered in any way. Powdered spirulina has a harsh fishy taste, pungeant smell and tacky texture. Most powdered spirulina is flash dried, which oxidizes the product and makes the nutrients less bioavailable. Fresh spirulina is unprocessed, allowing your body to easily absorb the nutrients it provides. The flavor profile is light, creamy and similar to unsalted almonds. Oasia Farms' fresh frozen spirulina is already portioned out and ready to be placed in your freezer the second it arrives (ships on dry ice). Additionally, our vacuum seal packaging provides a higher quality, fresher and more convenient way to enjoy spirulina!
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 frozen spirulina last? At least 6 months. Unopened, the vacuum seal bags can keep your spirulina fresh for up to 2 years!
We recommend handling fresh frozen spirulina like you would fish or other short shelf life products. Repeatedly thawing and refreezing 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 & shipping REALLY 100% sustainable? Yes! The insulated liner is made of recycled cloth and is recyclable. Simply cut the bag open, remove the cotton insulation and recycle both. The spirulina packs and cardboard box are also recyclable.
Most of our packages ship out with UPS Carbon Neutral labels. This means UPS will offset the emissions generated from delivering your package by planting trees or removing CO2 in another way.
What does it taste like? Unlike powdered spirulina, fresh spirulina has a light flavor and a thick creamy texture. It's similar to unsalted pistachio or avocado.
What recipes can I put it in? Because spirulina has almost no flavor, it will blend in nicely with pretty much anything! If you put spirulina 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 in 24-48 hours. This depends on daily weather considerations and where you are located. If you need a tracking number just include this request in the notes at checkout. 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 spirulina powder from large farms? 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 tested for heavy metals. 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? Organically grown? Yes!
How many servings are in my order? There are 30 servings per pound.
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!
Why is there sometimes blue spirulina in the bag? The blue color comes from the blue pigment phycocyanin. Spirulina naturally produces this blue color which can sometimes leak out after packaging resulting in blue spirulina. 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.