Burlap & Barrel

Here's the thing about Burlap & Barrel-they're basically doing what everyone wishes the spice industry would do, but nobody else bothered to figure out how.

Most of us have been cooking with the same dusty McCormick containers for years, not really thinking about where those spices came from or how long they've been sitting around. But these guys? They source their spices directly from farmer cooperatives and small farms, bypassing brokers and middlemen who drive prices up and quality down. It's like the farm-to-table movement finally reached your spice rack.

The company was founded in 2016 by Ori Zohar and Ethan Frisch, and their origin story is pretty wild. Ethan was working for a non-profit in Afghanistan when he saw a vendor tossing cumin into the air to separate it from chaff, bought some, and brought it home to share with chef friends in New York. That cumin was so good it basically launched a company.

What makes them different isn't just the direct sourcing-it's the whole

And they're not just talking a good game about ethics. Burlap & Barrel is a Public Benefit Corporation, a legal business entity that values public benefit alongside profits, with their social mission written into their articles of incorporation. They visit farms and spend time with farmers, learning about the economic, social and cultural factors behind their farming methods, and support them to improve quality, quantity, and value of their products.

The quality difference is real. Their spices are single origin, sourced directly from small farms, harvested by hand, dried naturally and transported whole to preserve freshness, and are non-irradiated and naturally free of gluten, allergens and additives. When you open one of their jars, you can actually smell the difference-it's like comparing fresh herbs from your garden to the dried stuff that's been in your pantry for three years.

They appeared on Shark Tank and the response has been tremendous, allowing them to continue growing in ways that work for both them and their partner farmers. But honestly, once you try their Royal Cinnamon or Wild Mountain Cumin, you'll understand why the Sharks were impressed. It's not just about better flavor-it's about knowing exactly where your food comes from and supporting farmers who actually care about what they're growing.