The nature of raw ingredients can be confusing to those new to the market.
Getting Zany with Xylitol
Progressive choices on the market in sweeteners and sugar substitutes are on the rise, with good reason. The average American consumes 400 calories per day from added sugars in their diet. Excess sugar contributes to tooth decay and obesity. Jedwards International is joining the ranks of businesses dedicated to offering healthier alternatives to sugar. The…
Making Waves with Marula
As with any industry, there are trends that are observed in the raw ingredient market. It’s never quite clear how these trends gain momentum. The latest material to take the bulk wholesale cosmetic industry by storm is Marula Oil. Jedwards International is thrilled to be adding Virgin Organic Marula Oil to our ever-growing list of…
The Economics of Natural Ingredients
One of the most fundamental concepts of economics is the law of supply and demand. The Purchasing Manager at Jedwards International is constantly trying to forecast and balance the amount of material that may be needed against the amount of supply we keep in our warehouse. When you are dealing with natural ingredients, this responsibility…
Captivated By Chocolate
There have been numerous studies done over time to ascertain how chocolate consumption impacts humans. One such study at the Human Olfaction Laboratory at Middlesex University concluded the smell of chocolate triggers positive reactions and may improve your mood.
Clearing up the Cassia versus Cinnamon Leaf Oil Confusion
With such a vast array of natural oils on the market today, it’s no wonder that occasionally some confusion crops up about oils that seem very similar, yet are so very different. In an effort to satisfy overwhelming customer demand for additional materials, Jedwards International has added Cassia Oil to their product list.
Stevia: Sweeter than Sugar, Calorie Free AND New to Jedwards!
One would never realize by looking at the plant known as Stevia, or Stevia Rebaudiana of the chrysanthemum family, that by placing it in hot water and following a special extracting process, the resulting glycosides create a tenacious sugar substitute. Jedwards International is pleased to announce the addition of Stevia to our growing line of…
Sustainability is Key for the Argan Tree
The fruit of the Argan tree, endemic to Southern Morocco, has enjoyed hundreds of years of locally celebrated usage, unbeknownst to much of the rest of the world. The Berbers, an ethnic group indigenous to North Africa, have used the fruit of this “Tree of Life” as a source of food, charcoal, firewood and building…
Cha, Cha, Cha CHIA SEED OIL!
Many of us today primarily relate the word “chia” to the once famous pet plant that took the retail industry by storm in the 1980’s. A clever ram shaped object that grew sprouts became a trendy gift idea, changing the face of Christmas for several years. Nowadays, the term chia, which is a species of…
The History of Soap Making
The word soap, from the Latin root “sopa” has created abundant interest throughout time, and much original usage speculation, as well as the first introduction into civilization, has been debated. There is a fascinating re-publication, originally published prior to 1923, aptly titled, “The Handbook of Soap Manufacture,” by W.H. Simmons and H.A. Appleton, which…
Women’s Gold – Shea Nut Products and Socially Responsible Sourcing
One late April day, as rainy season winds its way into the Ghana landscape, a group of women gathered at a newly formed women’s cooperative to discuss the challenges of harvesting shea nuts, otherwise known there as “Women’s Gold.” The physical demands of working long hours in the hot sun, stooping over to hand…
Captivated by Cranberries!
“I made cranberry sauce, and when it was done put it into a dark blue bowl for the beautiful contrast. I was thinking, doing this, about the old ways of gratitude: Indians thanking the deer they’d slain, grace before supper, kneeling before bed. I was thinking that gratitude is too much absent in our…