Processed raw food stores reviews

[Claradonna]

I always wondered why raw foodists cite packaged raw foods so much..
dehydrated and pressed seeds and vegetables and fruits, etc.

Much of the value of raw food is in its prana, or natural energy force, which is diminished by any kind of processing, even cutting and low heat or dehydration.


Anyways, I was curious about the products on the sites, and after Steve posted the Raw Food World store where he got his supplies for the fast, I thought I would try some of the products they have in store, and offer any good ones as items at dinner parties hosting over the holidays.

I ordered both from that store, and Natural Zing, as a friend recommended, on the same day, and similar size order with some of the same products, and there was a HUGE difference in the companies.

The Natural Zing package arrived quickly, in less than a week, and the items were as fresh as packaged food can be.

The Raw Food World package did not arrive after two weeks, and after I contacted customer service, they did not reply to message for over another week, when Matt Monarch replied. Three weeks later, they said that they would send another package, with slow shipping. Today it finally arrived..
and the quality of the products they offer is not so great,
nor is the freshness.

For instance, I ordered Blessings cookies from both stores, the same items, and the ones from Natural Zing were fresh, but those that arrived from Raw Food World were all stale.

The Raw Food World had 'kelp noodles' that are like konjac noodles, same as are sold in japanese grocery stores, but the ones they sent were dried and preserved with chemical, sodium alginate, and smelled and tasted strongly of artificial chemical, not natural at all.

Almost all of the items from that store were either improper products for raw food, or stale tasting. It seems as though it could be a problem with their storage (too humid or high temperature).


The items shipped from Natural Zing, including equivalent items, were much better, and at least fresh.


I'm not sure what is supposed to be the best processed raw food store,
which is anyways second to real food or the farmer's market,
but just some food for thought, if you plan on trying these raw food items.

[Dimond]

Really surprised to hear that about Matt's service and food. You should contact him again to see if he's willing to do anything.

I know some companies keep stuff in stock a long time. With Whole Foods, I found out that many things aren't quite so fresh-not just food, but hygiene products. I rarely buy stuff in stores anyhow because they're so expensive. Most raw food companies constantly make their products fresh on a weekly or daily basis. Unless it's become a more "commercial" product like some of the bars available in health stores.

I don't believe a lot of raw products are good. I'm always testing the pre-made products and it's rare that they taste good. And I'm less picky than most, having been raw for a few yrs. Yet somehow they sell them and for high prices.

FYI: With my store, usually all products are sent directly directly from the manufacturers so everything is fresh.

[funchy]

Thanks for the great review! I am looking at both of those sites right now.

Originally Posted by Claradonna

The Raw Food World had 'kelp noodles' that are like konjac noodles, same as are sold in japanese grocery stores, but the ones they sent were dried and preserved with chemical, sodium alginate, and smelled and tasted strongly of artificial chemical, not natural at all.

Sodium alginate should not affect flavor. It's a natural product extracted from the cell walls of algae, and it acts as an emulsifier.