OG Spice Guy

In this Spice Market Update, Jonathan Raju, COO of High Quality Organics, breaks down major developments shaping the global spice trade. First, a widespread fungal disease affecting ginger production in Nigeria is creating uncertainty around supply, quality, and availability. Jonathan discusses how this impacts the global ginger market and what buyers should be watching in the months ahead. He als...

In this Spice Market Update, Jonathan Raju, COO of High Quality Organics, takes a deep dive into El Niño and explains why spice industry professionals should be paying close attention. From changing rainfall patterns and drought conditions to harvest disruptions and shifting crop quality, El Niño has the potential to impact all avenues of the global spice supply chain. Jonathan breaks down how thi...

In this episode of OG Spice Guy, High Quality Organic COO, Jonathan Raju, sits with with turmeric supplier and expert, Ram Soundararajan, to explain that actually happens to turmeric before it reaches your kitchen. Turmeric is one of the world's most recognizable spices, known for its vibrant golden color, culinary versatility, and growing reputation for health and wellness benefits. We discuss wh...

This week, the team behind OG Spice Guy & Seco Spice follow up the New Mexico chile deep dive to talk about the harvest season. From the excitement of this year’s bell pepper crop to the relationships behind the spice industry, the conversation dives into what’s happening behind the scenes before the next big harvest arrives. The team also explores the role organic greenhouses play in producin...

In this episode, OG Spice Guy, Jonathan Raju, sits down with special guest Michael Barnes, Directing Manager of Seco Spice, for a deep dive into the realities of growing chiles in New Mexico. We discuss why water is gold in chile country, how climate and irrigation shape flavor, and the surprising science behind some of the world’s most iconic peppers. Michael shares insider stories from Seco Spic...

In this episode, Jonathan Raju, the OG Spice Guy, offers a market update from the ASTA (American Spice Trade Association) conference, breaking down the key conversations shaping today’s spice trade. We cover emerging regulatory pressures—including substance bans and evolving compliance expectations—and what they mean for importers, processors, and bulk buyers. Jonathan shares insights from direct...

This week, the crew behind OG Spice Guy keeps the mics on after the Hot Dog Deep Dive—veering into everything from how to cook the perfect hot dog (microwave? boil?) to tasting Dog Haus staples and debating restaurant dress codes. The team samples Dog Haus menu items while discussing Hot Dog prep techniques, condiment preferences, and how different styles stack up when it comes to flavor, texture,...

In this episode of OG Spice Guy, Jonathan Raju breaks down the true origins of the hot dog—from its roots in old-world sausage making to how it became one of the most iconic street foods in America. Jonathan and Rob discuss the latest hot dog trends - Costco, Los Angeles street dogs & controversial toppings - while gearing up to taste the iconic Dog Haus cuisine. We also take a deep dive into...

Jonathan Raju from High Quality Organics breaks down how conflict and rising fuel costs are quietly disrupting the spice supply chain. Even when crops aren’t grown in war zones, they’re still affected because spices move in low-margin, high-logistics formats that depend heavily on stable shipping routes and affordable fuel. Let's talk about what this means for your business or your spice rack at h...

This week, the crew behind OG Spice Guy follows up the Taco Deep Dive with Taco Bell and Superbowl Halftime Star, Villas Tacos. The table becomes a hot sauce testing ground (bottle vs packets!) and a masterclass in what really makes a great taco. Jonathan Raju and the team compare fast-food fire to street-taco flavor, rank hot sauces, and break down the spice principles you can use to level up you...

In this episode of OG Spice Guy, Jonathan Raju breaks down the true origins of tacos—from their roots of being sold on the streets of Mexico to how they evolved into the global obsession we know today. Then we take a turn into fast food history and how Taco Bell changed the game in America. And of course… we’re getting into the SPICE. What’s actually inside taco seasoning? Why does it taste so add...

OG Spice Guy, Jonathan Raju, breaks down two things happening in the spice world right now. First: organic paprika. Pesticide detection issues continue to cause headaches for suppliers and are starting to affect pricing and availability. We’ll explain what’s going on (what drones have to do with it) and why the organic paprika market has been so unstable lately. Then we tackle one of the biggest s...

This week, the crew behind OG Spice Guy pulls up with plates full of BBQ and a side of strong opinions. We recap the latest full-length episode, with California Rub's Chef Brian to discuss his origin story and successful kitchen secrets. Jonathan Raju, Chef Brian, and the rest of the team offer a deep-dive on deep fried turkeys (yes, you CAN do it safely), food safety, brisket behaviours, multi-ta...

In this episode, Jonathan Raju sits down with Guest Chef Brian from CaliforniaRubs for a real conversation about BBQ. From the cultural roots of barbecue and how it’s evolved across different states, to the difference between grilling and true low-and-slow BBQ, this episode dives deep into what makes barbecue more than just food — it’s tradition, identity, and craft. Chef Brian shares how BBQ chan...

OG Spice Guy, Jonathan Raju (VP of HQO), breaks down why the cost of bell peppers have more than doubled, from supply chain pressures to uncontrollable conditions, and explains how High Quality Organics is taking action with a domestic approach to lower costs without sacrificing quality. We'll also get into what's really going on with turmeric: heavy rainfall in major producing regions have trigge...

It’s family meal… but make it questionable. 🍤 This week, the crew sits down for poke bowls stuffed with shrimp that may or may not have been recalled (don’t worry—we talk about it). The team behind OGSpice Guy recap the new full-length episode where things got spicy in a different way: lead in cinnamon, contaminated spices, and why your spice rack might be more unhinged than you think. From food...

In this episode of The OG Spice Guy, HQO VP Jonathan Raju sits down with Alec Garcia, Founder and Managing Partner of New Wave Scientific, to uncover what’s really happening behind the scenes of the spice industry. From heavy metals in cinnamon and the truth about gluten-free spices to evolving industry standards and cutting-edge food safety testing, this conversation uncovers the realities of wha...

In this episode of Market Watch with OG Spice Guy, Jonathan Vaju (VP of High Quality Organics) cuts through the noise to explain what’s really happening with imported spice tariffs, why organic black pepper is getting harder (and pricier) to source, and dives into the little-known global market for cardamom seeds.

What happens when the mics stay on after the mint holiday episode? Join us in sharing a proper mojito, mixed by Jonathan, using fresh mint and organic ingredients. Along the way, the team swaps personal stories from the kitchen and behind the bar, diving into why great food and cocktails take time, intention, and a little love. The episode also weaves in cultural traditions and holiday celebration...

What  is  mint… really?  From candy canes and peppermint bark to herbal teas and toothpaste, mint is everywhere—but most people don’t actually know what they’re tasting. In this holiday-themed episode of  The OG Spice Guy Podcast , HQO’s VP Jonathan Raju breaks down the  real  story of mint, uncovering why “mint” isn’t a single plant at all, how peppermint and spearmi...

What makes salt… real? 🧂 In this episode of The OG Spice Guy Podcast, HQO’s VP Jonathan Raju sits down with Darryl Bosshardt, grandson of the founder of Redmond Real Salt, to uncover the incredible story of how a family farm in Utah turned an ancient seabed into one of the most trusted names in natural salt. From mining pure, unrefined salt in Redmond, Utah, to busting common salt myths, this epi...

What happens when the mics stay on after the Pumpkin Spice episode?  Welcome to The OG Spice Guy Podcast: Family Meal Edition — our first-ever bonus episode, where the conversation keeps going long after the main course is done. In this casual, off-the-cuff chat, the team sits down to taste-test fall favorites (yes, that Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spice Mini Sheet Cake makes a cameo) and dive deepe...

How does a simple blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves become a global phenomenon?   In this episode of The OG Spice Guy Podcast, HQO’s VP Jonathan Raju unpacks the surprising story behind Pumpkin Spice—from the first Starbucks latte in 2003 to today’s billion-dollar seasonal empire. Learn what makes some flavors stick while others fade fast—and how timeless ingredients, when paired wit...

Food safety isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the backbone of trust in the spice industry. In this episode of the OG Spice Guy Podcast, Jonathan Raju (aka the OG Spice Guy) breaks down everything you need to know about Ready-to-Eat (RTE) spices—and why validated science matters more than ever. We explore:  • How one parsley recall changed HQO’s approach to food safety forever  • What “Ready-to-...

Discover the fascinating world of cinnamon in this episode of the OG Spice Guy Podcast!  Jonathan Raju (aka the OG Spice Guy) explores everything you’ve ever wanted to know about cinnamon — from how it’s grown and harvested to the different types of cinnamon used around the world. We break down:  The difference between Ceylon cinnamon (true cinnamon) and Cassia cinnamon  How cinnamo...