OG Spice Guy

The Strait of Hormuz is making headlines, but what does a global oil and shipping disruption have to do with spice supplies? In this Spice Market Update, Jonathan Raju breaks down what's happening in one of the world's most critical shipping points and how disruptions to oil deliveries, tanker traffic, and global transportation are creating ripple effects throughout the spice industry. From rising...

Following the deep-dive on the Science of Spice Blends, Jonathan Raju and food scientist Ali Bouzari sit down with the team to put viral food trends and internet food hacks to the test. From unexpected flavor combinations to claims that bananas and avocados can taste like bubble gum, we're finding out which trends are worth the hype—and which ones might be too good to be true. But this isn't just...

On this episode of OG Spice Guy, Jonathan Raju from High Quality Organics sits down with food scientist Ali Bouzari to break down the art and science of creating a spice blend, one ingredient at a time. Together, they explore what culinary science really means and how science helps us understand the way ingredients interact to create flavor. They dig into what separates a truly great spice blend f...

In this October 2026 Market Update, Jonathan Raju, COO of High Quality Organics, breaks down everything you need to know about El Niño and its potential impact on global spice supplies. From shifting rainfall patterns to changing growing conditions, one thing is clear: spices live and die by rainfall. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and mace are among the commodities to watch as changing weather patterns...

In this episode (featuring exclusive interviews from the road) OG Spice Guy, Jonathan Raju, travels to New Mexico for an update on High Quality Organics’ partnership with Seco Spice to grow organic bell peppers locally — with the long-term goal of developing New Mexico into a primary source for their organic pepper needs. For years, sourcing ingredients internationally can mean navigating complex...

In this episode of Family Meal the OG Spice Guy crew sits down for a step-by-step coffee tasting and dives into everything from aroma and flavor to origin, processing, quality, sourcing, and what makes each cup different. As the tasting unfolds, the conversation turns to the surprising similarities between the coffee and spice industries — from how climate and growing regions impact flavor to sour...

In this episode of OG Spice Guy, Jonathan Raju, COO of High Quality Organics dives into oregano — from its pizza origin story and traditional uses to the differences between Mediterranean oregano and Mexican oregano, including flavor profiles, and culinary applications that set them apart. Oregano might seem like a simple pantry staple, but there’s a lot more to this popular herb than meets the ey...

In this episode of OG Spice Guy, Jonathan Raju, COO of High Quality Organics, breaks down two topics that currently have a grip on the food industry: Salmonella and Cyclospora. He explains exactly what they are, how contamination can happen, why these pathogens matter to the food industry, and what’s happening across the food supply chain right now. From farms and processing facilities to shipping...

In this Spice Market Update, Jonathan Raju, COO of HIgh Quality Organics, takes a closer look at the current oregano market and the supply challenges impacting the industry. As availability shifts and market conditions continue to evolve, HQO is focused on doing more than sourcing exceptional organic spices—we're investing in innovative quality control solutions that deliver greater consistency an...

After wrapping up our conversation with Dr. Shawn Talbott, the OG Spice Guy team gathers around the table for another Family Meal—this time with a challenge. Inspired by the episode, Jonathan Raju kicks off the 30 Plants in a Week Challenge with Indian Cuisine, sharing how everyday spices can be a simple way to support overall health. Jonathan introduces the team to whole cardamom pods, inviting e...

In this episode of OG Spice Guy, Jonathan Raju, COO of High Quality Organics, is joined by PsychoNutritionist & best-selling author, Dr. Shawn Talbott, for an insightful conversation about the role spices can play in supporting a healthy lifestyle. We explore why spices have been valued for centuries—not just for their incredible flavor, but for the naturally occurring compounds that have made...

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...