In today’s global spice trade, farmers often have little control, and consumers end up with bland, aging products on their shelves. The process is opaque, dominated by large companies and layers of middlemen. The team behind Burlap & Barrel is working to change that. From wild cumin gathered in Afghanistan to cinnamon bark in Vietnam, their business is built on direct partnerships with farmers, fair pricing, and respect for tradition.

Ethan Frisch and Ori Zohar launched Burlap & Barrel out of a one-bedroom apartment in Queens, and their mission has grown to include smallholder farmers in more than 30 countries. Today, we sit down with Ethan and Ori to learn more about what inspired them to take on the spice industry and what it takes to stay connected to farmers in a changing global market.

Browse Burlap & Barrel’s spice collections online here. First orders of $49 or more ship free. 

Contact them on their website here.

Read more here.