nirvana Stevia FAQ
Nirvana Stevia® is extracted from the Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni plant. The leaves of the stevia plant have been used for centuries in Brazil and Paraguay to sweeten food and drinks. Stevia has been embraced as a sugar substitute and food additive in many countries around the world. Steviol Glycosides, which are the sweetening properties extracted from the Stevia plant, are now an approved intense sweetener by FSANZ (Foods Standards Australia and New Zealand) in Australia and New Zealand.
NO. There are no harmful additives. Nirvana Stevia® uses only the highest quality, best tasting Certified Organic Stevia. Nirvana Stevia® has NO: calories, sugar, artificial sweeteners, fat, wheat, yeast, soy, milk derivatives, artificial colourings and no toxic chemicals.
Yes. Most people love the taste of good quality Stevia. High quality Stevia, like that used in Nirvana Stevia® does NOT have the grassy or slightly bitter after taste that has been reported in some other Stevia products on the market.
YES! Our Stevia is free of tree nuts, peanuts, egg, dairy, gluten and soy and the facility where our product is packaged does not process, package or manufacture any of these ingredients, so there are no trace elements. As a result, our products are very popular with those who suffer from a wide variety of allergies. As with all allergies, however, if in any doubt please consult your doctor.
In it’s natural extract form, Stevia is many times sweeter than sugar – so you need far less to get to your preferred level of sweetness. To help you use the correct amount, Nirvana Stevia® is available in powder, tablet and liquid form so you don’t have to worry about using too much.
Our Stevia powder comes with a convenient mini scoop (1/35th tsp), approximately equalling one teaspoon of sugar, so now using the perfect amount of Stevia is easier than ever before! We even have convenient pocket size containers that are easy to carry in your handbag or pocket, so you never have to worry about being without your favourite Nirvana Stevia® product.
Yes. Unlike sugar, Stevia does not trigger a rise in blood sugar levels. You do not get a sudden burst of energy followed by fatigue and the subsequent need for another “fix”. Studies suggest that Stevia has a regulatory effect on the pancreas and could help stabilize blood sugar levels in the body. If in any doubt please consult your doctor.
For easy measuring and cooking with Stevia, we have introduced our new Stevia Slim Spoonable Powder™. Blended with Erythritol (the most superior naturally derived sugar substitute that looks and tastes very much like sugar), one teaspoon of our Stevia Spoonable™ equals the sweetness of two teaspoons of sugar – making it ideal of cooking delicious treats, including pastries, cakes, biscuits, muffins and pancakes or for flavouring desserts like ice-cream and custard.
You can even create your own natural, sugar-free drinks and health shakes. Our Powdered and Liquid Extracts are also fantastic and easy to use for all your cooking needs.
Preservatives are needed to give a liquid product the required shelf life and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
As preservatives are needed and the Nirvana team have chosen not to use nasty chemical preservatives, they selected the most natural alternatives available that will give the product the recommended 18-24 months shelf life and stability. For the standard Nirvana Stevia liquid products, Nirvana gives consumers an option of stevia liquids using natural preservatives ‘such as Ascorbic acid etc.’ (15 and 30ml bottles) and a liquid using food grade alcohol as a preservative (50ml glass bottles).
Some consumers have food intolerances to even natural preservatives as ascorbic acid and are fine with food grade alcohol. It has approximately the same percentage alcohol as your standard homeopathics. Nirvana Stevia liquids are tested on a regular basis in a laboratory to establish that no harmful bacteria are present ie; E.coli. These tests are carried out to comply with Australian Food Standards.
Nirvana initially began formulating the flavoured stevia liquids using the natural preservatives, however it soon became evident that the natural preservatives actually interfered with taste of the flavours. Research has shown that either chemical preservatives or food grade alcohol are used for preserving flavoured Stevia liquid products.
Nirvana Organics® Stevia extract powder is 100% pure ACO Cerified Organic stevia extract (labelled as steviol glycosides – which comply with Food Standards labelling code).
We do not need to specify which grade or grades unless specifically selling different grades (e.g Reb a 40%, Reb A 60% etc.)
The exact formula/process of creating Nirvana Organics® Stevia extract is part of our guarded intellectual property.
We currently can supply 2 different grades of Stevia extract powders in bulk quantities, both are ‘ACO’ Australian certified organic and both these grades are water soluble.
We can supply certified organic Reb A 40% Stevia extract powder which is approximately 290 sweeter than sugar and also certified organic non-bitter Stevia extract powder which is approximately 150 times sweeter than sugar.
We have sourced and used higher grades of Reb A (such as Reb A 60, 80 and even 97%) for our manufacturing, however the higher grades of non-bitter Reb A extracts have gone through additional extraction processes which alters their stability (especially when used in liquid products).
Nirvana Stevia extract powder is “Australian Certified Organic”. We source our Stevia from the only accredited source recognized by ACO. We manufacture, blend and or package our Stevia products in-house at Mount Barker, SA and our premises are ACO and HACCP accredited.
Our ACO Certified Organic Stevia extract powder is sourced from China where the plants are grown and processed under strict control by the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM). International IFOAM inspectors monitor crop production and processing by taking random samples for analysis. In Australia our Stevia extract powder is certified organic by Australian Certified Organic (ACO) as part of IFOAM regulations. Nirvana Health Products undergoes a rigorous audit procedure to comply with ACO ORGANIC CERTIFICATION.
Actually to our knowledge there is only currently only 2 places in the world where it is produced certified organically, (both in China remote areas). Actually several years ago, it could only be sourced from one source (that is certified organic), however ACO did not approve it. We totally believe that there is no cleaner source of Stevia extract then our current source and that our quality and purity of Stevia is of the highest grade which we have certification to support.
Originally – 14 years ago we sourced our Stevia from Paraguay, one of the countries that Stevia plants are native to. This Stevia plantation in South America was controlled and operated by a United States company who later informed us that they actually ship the stevia leaves to Asian countries to be processed and ship back to the US and then ship to us in Australia.
It appears that the processing of Stevia leaves to a good quality and good tasting extract is too expensive for most western countries (commercial scale quantities). Even Stevia that is grown in some northern regions of Australia cannot as this stage be processed in Australia. Maybe it will change in the future!
Our Stevia Slim range was produced primarily for a supermarket retailer or smaller retailer where only a small product range is usually requested and/ or customers are accustomed to a blended sweetener product. To compliment this powder range, we also included a small tablet product and 1 Stevia liquid product (which is identical to the original).
Stevia Slim tablets are smaller in size. The sweetness of a Stevia Slim tablet has approximately the equivalent sweetness to 4g of sugar (1 level tsp), whereas our Nirvana original tablets has approximately the equivalent sweetness to 7g of sugar (1 heaped tsp).
Nirvana Organics pure Stevia extract powder is 100% pure Stevia powder only. It is very concentrated. A tiny scoop provided (1/35th of a tsp). Whereas Nirvana organics Stevia Slim Spoonable is an easy measure spoonable blend – Stevia extract blended with Erythritol (see below for more info)
One teaspoon of our Stevia Spoonable™ equals the sweetness of two teaspoons of sugar.
Stevia extract powder (a natural herbal extract) is considered an alternative to artificial sweeteners as it is very concentrated (100 plus x sweeter than sugar). Erythritol (a sugar alcohol derived from natural sources) is more of an alternative to sugar as it looks and taste more like sugar and can be used like sugar (it is 80% as sweet as sugar). Both are suitable for people who need to manage or monitor their blood sugar levels. Stevia has zero calories whereas erythritol has only a few calories per serve.
Our regular Stevia powder is 100% pure Stevia extract (ACO certified organic) with nothing added. It is very concentrated. Stevia Slim Spoonable is an ‘easy measure’ Stevia sweetener blend (less than half a calorie per serve). The only reason we have blended the erythritol with the Stevia is to create an easier measure Stevia blend. Stevia is considered more natural than erythritol and our pure Stevia extract powder products are more economical than the Stevia Spoonable.
Stevia extract powder (called steviol glycosides) is extracted via a certified organic process from certified organically grown Stevia plant leaves. A specialised water and filtration process is used for the extraction of these steviol glycosides. The Stevia extract powder used in all of our products is Certified Organic by Australian Certified Organic (ACO).
Nirvana 50ml Stevia liquid and flavoured liquids in glass bottles are preserved with food grade alcohol, due to some highly sensitive/allergic individuals who cannot tolerate other preservatives including even some natural preservatives. This liquid will appear clear in colour for the pure Stevia liquid.
Nirvana 15ml and 30ml Stevia liquids in plastic bottles are preserved with Ascorbic Acid and Potassium Sorbate. This liquid will have a slight brown tinge due to the preserving ingredients. This Stevia liquid is naturally light yellow in colour. The browning effect is probably due to slight oxidation. The contributing factors would include the age of the product, storage conditions and how many times the lid has been opened. As long as it is not past its best before date and has not been subject to storage temperatures greater than 30 degree C, it will remain stable.
Nirvana pure Stevia powder, liquid concentrate and tablets are wheat free.
We can confirm that our 100% pure Stevia extract powder has absolute no additives and is 100% Australian Certified Organic Stevia powder only.
One of the excipients used in manufacturing of the tablets is derived from Non GMO Tapioca starch.
Stevia is renowned as an excellent sugar-replacement for diabetics. The main goals of diabetes management are to control blood glucose, lipids and weight. Xylitol is a low Glycaemic sweetener (Zero GI), and is slowly absorbed and metabolized independently of insulin. Stevia does not cause a dramatic increase in blood-sugar levels or serum-insulin responses, and therefore many health practitioners suggest Stevia as a sugar-free sweetener for their diabetic clients.
Stevia also has Zero calories and has been suggested as a valuable aid in assisting diabetics with weight control. A word of warning, however, – some Stevia on the market is not 100% pure, and may be blended with other ingredients that may be higher in calories and carbohydrates, making them unsuitable for diabetics. Nirvana Stevia® on the other hand, is pure and natural and has a Zero GI.
As with any serious medical conditions, however, if in doubt please consult your health practitioner before incorporating Stevia into your daily diet, and be sure to continually monitor your blood-sugar levels.
Yes! With Zero Fat, Zero Carbs, Zero GI and Zero Calories, our Stevia is a perfect, naturally derived sweetener. With far fewer calories than sugar, Stevia is a valuable tool in the fight against obesity, or for anyone following weight management programs. Enjoy the delicious, sweet taste, without the worries!
Yes. Refined sugar is virtually devoid of nutritional benefits and, at best, represents empty calories in the diet. At worst, sugar has been implicated in some degenerative diseases. For example, we are all aware of the dramatic increase in the incidence of excess body fat – in both adults and children.
While sugars promote and feed the growth of oral yeast infections and thrush, it has been suggested in many studies that sugar-free Stevia may actually have anti-fungal properties, thereby reducing both the incidence and severity of thrush. As with all medical problems and for those following strict meal plans, however, please consult your health practitioner for more information.
Yes. Stevia has been used in cooking in South America for centuries. Whilst Stevia has grown in popularity in many countries around the world, it is Japan that represents and interesting example. Apparently artificial sweetners, such as aspartame, have been banned in Japan for over 30 years. Natural Stevia is being used in over 30% of the country’s food products. Stevia has been used in Japan in several major packaged-goods brands.
As Stevia does not weigh the same as sugar, you may need to add some bulking agents to your recipes, such as yogurt, apple sauce, fruit juice, fruit puree, egg whites, or water, to give your desserts the same density as their sugar-filled counterparts.
As Stevia sweetener qualities can be up to 180% sweeter (1 heaped tsp pure extract = 1 c sugar) than sugar, Stevia will not have the same bulking properties of sugar.
Unlike some other sweeteners, Stevia is heat stable and mixes and dissolves in a remarkably similar fashion to sugar. Stevia does not, however, caramelize as sugar does and desserts like meringues may also be difficult to achieve as Stevia does not brown or crystallize as sugar does. Foods baked with Stevia may not rise as much as those cooked with sugar, and it cannot ferment yeast as sugar does.
You can use Nirvana 100% Pure Stevia powder in your homemade sauces, however it does not have the same preserving properties as sugar.
The sweetness of one heaped teaspoon of Nirvana 100% Pure Stevia powder is approximately equivalent to the sweetness of one cup of sugar.
All of our labels list the ingredients of the product. Our 100% pure Stevia extract powder is labelled as Pure Stevia powder and contains no other additives. Our stevia extract powder is ACO ‘AUSTRALIAN CERTIFED ORGANIC” and we are HACCP certified and regularly audited by both certifying bodies. The Stevia strength does slightly vary from batch to batch as it is a natural harvested product, however it should not be significant.
Green Stevia powder is the entire green leaf and is not suitable as a sweetener due to its bitter grassy taste. We have 100% Pure Stevia Extract Powder. The Stevia extract (steviol glycosides) is naturally whitish in colour (not bleached).
Food Standards actually approved the sweetening properties of the Stevia Leaf (steviol glycosides – the extract of Stevia) as the sweetener, not stevia itself. You will notice Steviol glycosides written on the front of our label and in our nutritional panel and ingredient list.
Our methods of filling all our containers are strict and in accordance with all Food Standards Australia labeling requirements. It is our policy to put approximately 5-10% additional product into our packaging. We use a sophisticated auger machine to fill our containers each of which is check weighed on accurate calibrated scales.
We enclose a small measuring scoop to assist with ensuring correct serving amounts (1 heaped scoop = 1 heaped tsp sugar), the length of the scoop just fits into the container.
Stevia powder by its nature is a light and “fluffy” product and compacts after settling – yes, it really does. When we fill the container, we need these sizes of container in order to accommodate the initial volume of this light powder. With handling and transportation, it is conceivable that the powder will compact.
We regularly check our Stevia powder containers after filling and even one that has stood on the shelf for a short period of time is found to have compacted considerably. There is no intended dishonesty or deceit on our part because as I stated before, our filling procedures are strictly controlled by Food Standards Australia & NZ and our HACCP food safety program.
Our Stevia powder is the highest grade organically certified product available and we take great pride in selling it through our distributors. We supply only 100% PURE organic stevia powder that is not mixed with any other ingredients and because of this there is an inherent problem with compaction.
Our tablets are water soluble, not fat soluble as we use only natural ingredients. It is advisable to put into hot water prior to adding milk for best results. We also have Stevia liquid and pure Stevia powder (which includes a tiny measuring scoop) which dissolve almost immediately.
Sugar amount | Stevia Powder extract | Stevia Liquid Concentrate |
2 cups | 3 level teaspoons | 2 teaspoons |
1 cup | 1 ½ level teaspoons | 1 teaspoon |
½ cup | ¾ level teaspoon | ½ teaspoon |
¼ cup | 3/8 level teaspoon | ¼ teaspoon |
1 tablespoon | 1/8 level teaspoon | 12 to 16 drops |
2 teaspoon | 1/16 level teaspoon | 6 to 8 drops |
1 teaspoon | A pinch to 1/32 level teaspoon | 3 to 4 drops |
We can confirm that the our Stevia products are all suitable for those following a vegan diet/lifestyle.
No Nirvana Stevia Liquid Concentrate does not contain agave nor does any of our other products.
At Nirvana we endeavour to use only all natural ingredients where possible. The majority of flavours used in our manufacturing are NATURAL and a small percentage are nature identical flavouring substances and or synthetic due to natural not being currently available and or the taste/quality not meeting our standards. These natural and or nature identical flavour substances represent the actual flavour stated. The actual ingredients that comprise these flavours are rarely disclosed by the supplier/manufacturer of the flavours as this forms part of their intellectual property.
Nature-Identical flavours are flavours that are created using various substances (from natural sources) however as they are synthesised, they are considered nature-identical (not natural). Therefore, the ingredients to create them are not from the actual source of the specified flavour.
The following Nirvana Stevia liquid flavours contain only NATURAL flavours: Apple, Banana ,Cinnamon, Citrus, Coconut, Cola, Ginger Ale, Grape, Irish Cream, Lemon, Mango, Maple, Mint, Orange, Peach, and Raspberry.
The following Nirvana Stevia liquid flavours being Caramel, Vanilla, Chocolateand Strawberry are created from flavours blended in-house to create the most delicious and favourable taste and these contain a blend of Natural and Nature-Identical flavours.
Only four Nirvana Stevia liquid flavours contain solely Natural Identical and or Synthetic. These flavours are Hazelnut, Butterscotch, Coffee and Honey. We are however trying to source suppliers that can produce these flavours as Natural and can produce them without using sugar as an ingredient in the manufacturing as our products state SUGAR FREE!
Nature-identical flavourings are obtained by synthesis or isolated through chemical processes, which are chemically and organoleptically identical to flavouring substances naturally present in products intended for human consumption. They cannot contain any artificial flavouring substances. Source: Wikipedia
nirvana XYLITOL FAQ
Yes. Xylitol is metabolized independently of insulin and should be considered a low Glycaemic ingredient. Following ingestion of Xylitol, the blood-glucose and serum insulin responses are significantly lower than for glucose or sugar. However, if in any doubt please consult your health care practitioner
Xylitol is renowned as an excellent sugar-replacement for diabetics. The main goals of diabetes management are to control blood glucose, lipids and weight. Xylitol is a low Glycaemic sweetener (GI of just 7), and is slowly absorbed and metabolized independently of insulin. Xylitol does not cause a dramatic increase in blood-sugar levels or serum-insulin responses, and therefore many health practitioners suggest Xylitol as a sugar-free sweetener for their diabetic clients.
Xylitol also has low calories per gram (2.4) and has been suggested as a valuable aid in assisting diabetics with weight control. A word of warning, however, – some Xylitol on the market is not 100% pure, and may be blended with other ingredients that may be higher in calories and carbohydrates, making them unsuitable for diabetics. Nirvana Xylitol™, on the other hand, is pure and natural and has a GI of just 7.
As with any serious medical conditions, however, if in doubt please consult your health practitioner before incorporating Xylitol into your daily diet, and be sure to continually monitor your blood sugar levels.
You are in luck. Unlike sugar and other high-carbohydrate sweeteners, Xylitol contains a mere 4g of carbs per teaspoon, making it an ideal choice for followers of low-carb programs. So now you can enjoy a sweet, refreshing and natural sweetener, with 75% less carbohydrates and a GI of just 7!
While sugars promote and feed the growth of oral yeast infections and thrush, it has been suggested in many studies that sugar-free Xylitol may actually have anti-fungal properties, thereby reducing both the incidence and severity of thrush. It is also renowned to have a pre-biotic effect on the digestive system, promoting the growth of good bacteria. As with all medical problems and for those following strict meal plans, however, please consult your health practitioner for more information.
Not necessarily. Although our Xylitol is derived from non-GMO corncob, by the end of the extraction process there are no proteins left over to provide allergens that may be the cause of your corn-based reactions. Also, most people are actually allergic to corn kernels, as opposed to the cob, so there is a chance that our Xylitol may be suitable for your needs. As with all allergies, however, please consult your health practitioner for more information.
Xylitol is extremely versatile. It can be used to make sugar-free cordials, lemonades and hot beverages; it can be sprinkled over cereals, porridge and fruits and can be mixed with natural yogurts to make delicious and healthy sweet treats. It can also be used as a sugar and artificial sweetener substitute in a wide range of recipes.
One teaspoon of Nirvana Xylitol™ is approximately equivalent to one teaspoon of sugar. Some of our customers have suggested that the natural, refreshing and sweet taste of our product means they actually use slightly less than they would sugar, but with our various easy-measure packaging options, finding your preferred level of sweetness is now easier than ever. A perfect cup of tea or coffee sweetened with Nirvana Xylitol™ is a great start to any day!
While Xylitol is completely safe for humans, just like chocolate, grapes or raisins; Xylitol is not intended to be ingested by our loving canine friends. Dogs metabolise some substances differently than humans; therefore if your dog consumes any product containing Xylitol, please consult your vet immediately.
We prefer to use an environmentally sustainable source of Xylitol for our products.
Nirvana Xylitol is sourced from Non-GMO corn cobs from China. Corn derived Xylitol from the US is from genetically modified grown corn. Nirvana Xylitol uses 100% pure (nothing added), highest grade Xylitol from Corn cobs -an environmentally sustainable source (no de-forestation) and sourced from non GMO crop. Finnish Xylitol is derived from Birch trees. Xylitol is not manufactured in Australia.
Xylitol from Finland is produced from the bark of birch trees. We have included some information researched below that has contributed to this decision:
We noticed dramatic differences between the process used to extract xylan hemicellulose from the two sources. The corn cob source appears to be more environmentally friendly than birch bark source. Corn cobs, which we assume everyone agrees is a renewable resource each year, has the least environmental impact. The fields the corn is grown in generally do not use pesticides, and only use non-GMO corn. This would qualify the corn as organic. As the cob is usually thrown away, this also is helping to reduce perceived waste.
The birch bark source xylitol involves harvesting the bark from birch trees. This in effect is killing the tree, which forces the tree to be cut down. The birch tree is not a good renewable resource (even though it can be regrown) as it takes about 15 years before a tree can be harvested. As long as the trees are not being sprayed with any pesticides, the bark could be considered organic. It is unknown what is done with the actual tree trunk, but is assumed it is being used for other industrial purposes.
The actual extraction process is also different. The corn cob source uses a natural ion-exchange interaction of hydrogen, hydrochloric acid, and steam. The waste water from this process is used for mushroom farming adjacent to the factory itself, and the pulp is used for fuel. The birch bark source xylitol uses the same process, but uses sulfuric acid in place of hydrochloric acid. This creates a waste product which is not suitable to be reused in in any other manner.
The conclusion from the research is corn cob based xylitol appears to be a better product in all arenas. From the price of the product to the general impact on the environment from start to finish, it is better than birch source xylitol.
Nirvana Xylitol’s C of A (certificate of analysis) indicates that our Xylitol is 100% Xylitol with no additives and is approved under our HACCP standards.
Xylitol [pronounced zy-li-tol] is a substance that occurs naturally in fibrous fruits like plums and strawberries. It also occurs in vegetables like corncobs and mushrooms and hardwood trees like birch. Nirvana Xylitol™ is derived from non-GMO, non -allergenic corn cob (core) – an environmentally sustainable source of the natural ingredients. It is good for you and good for the environment!
Xylitol was almost simultaneously discovered by Emil Fischer, a German chemist, in 1891, and by French chemist M. G. Bertrand. It was first really used in Finland during World War II, as a severe sugar shortage left them looking for a substitute. Following this, Xylitol became a popular naturally-derived sugar substitute in Germany, Switzerland, the Soviet Union and Japan. In 1963, the FDA in the USA approved Xylitol for use as a special dietary and nutritional additive, and it is now used in over 40 countries as a safe, healthy alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners.
No. However you may want to know what Nirvana Xylitol™ does NOT contain. There is no sugar, no artificial sweeteners, 40% less calories than sugar, no fat, no protein, no artificial flavours, no artificial colourings and no preservatives. It has a low GI of just 7.
Yes it is. Xylitol is not a drug, nor is it habit forming. In 1983 the JECFA, a joint, expert committee of WHO (World Health Organization) and FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation), confirmed that Xylitol is a safe sweetener for foods. It is approved for use in Australia by the FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand), and Xylitol has been the subject of over 1500 research studies.
Yes! Unlike some other brands on the market, you can be assured that Nirvana Xylitol™ is the highest quality Xylitol available, and it is derived for non-GMO corncob, an environmentally sustainable source.
In studies over more than 30 years, dental researches have pointed to Xylitol as a key ingredient in helping to protect against tooth decay. In fact it is extensively used in many oral hygiene products. Many health professionals in Europe have been using Xylitol since the 1970’s – in particular the Finnish government is thought to have saved millions of dollars by using Xylitol in its health programs.
Xylitol is rapidly growing in popularity as users discover this great tasting sweetener that clinical studies have proven has no major or long-term side effects, even in doses up to 200g a day. In fact, a very positive side effect is the very effective role Xylitol plays in the prevention of tooth decay. Sudden, excessive usage of Xylitol has been known to cause mild gastrointestinal distress in some sensitive users, so as with everything in life, moderation is the key, especially when you first start using this delicious, natural sweetener. With continued use and as the body adapts to Xylitol, however, these symptoms usually tend to pass.
Yes, but in a very different way to sugar as Xylitol’s unique five-carbon molecular structure, unlike six-carbon sugars, actually inhibits the ability of our bodies to fully metabolise it. The direct result is that Xylitol is metabolised by the body very slowly, meaning it does not require insulin and it releases energy steadily, rather than with highs and lows. It is for this reason that it has a low GI of just seven, making it an option for those looking to monitor their blood-sugar levels.
The carbohydrate content of our Xylitol per 100gms is a maximum 25gms. Xylitol contains 75% less carbohydrates compared to sugar
Our Xylitol is sourced from Non GMO corn cobs and for each batch we receive, a Certificate of Analysis (C of A) is provided detailing the results of the testing done against the product specification. The testing details the presence of certain minerals, heavy metals, yeasts, E Coli etc. and reports the levels present as compared to the accepted standard. We would be happy to provide a copy of our C of A to help allay any fears you may have. Our Xylitol is manufactured in a process that is similar to the manufacture of sugar – i.e. a heat process.
nirvana HIMALAYAN CRYSTAL SALT FAQ
Our Crystal Salt comes from an area high in the Kalabagh region of the Himalayan foothills, in a mine near the village of Wanda Kukranwala. The salt was actually formed around 250 million years ago when the sun dried a primal ocean and the mighty Himalayas took shape, locking the salt crystals inside. Our products are selected from one of the few regions in the world where salt is still hand-mined, hand-picked and stone ground. It takes time, but with the crystals intact, you are assured of the most beneficial, mineral-rich salt available.
It is meant to! Genuine, pure Himalayan Crystal Salt is found in veins that may vary in colour from pure white, to white with a pinkish hue, to peach. On rare occasions it may even contain red or black specks. This is perfectly natural and simply reflects the mineral and trace element content. Nirvana Organics® select salt for your table that tends to be pure white or white with a pinkish hue and it is always of the highest quality
A Solé (So-lay) solution is a therapeutic salt brine that is the fundamental mineral infusion for your body. Solé is an excellent product for balancing the pH factor of your body and has many other special properties that are attributed to Himalayan Crystal Salt, with some referring to Solé as ‘liquid sunlight’ or ‘liquid light-energy’.
To make your Solé, simply add a small handful of our Solé chunks to pure, good quality water and allow 24 -36 hours for the salt crystals to dissolve and reach saturation point.
Himalayan salt is salt in its complete/whole state, naturally containing minerals and trace elements (renowned to contain 84 minerals and trace elements).
Apparently the earth and also our bodies contain all of these minerals and trace elements.
Please find attached a nutritional panel for our Himalayan Salt showing the major minerals.
We are aware that certain natural derived elements can be toxic in isolation and in large doses.
Most of the additional minerals and trace elements that Himalayan Salt is renowned to contain are so minute that specialised equipment is required for analysis.
Even regular sea salt is renowned to contain 84 minerals and trace elements.
Himalayan crystal salt is considered not to contain modern day environmental pollutants and its unique crystalline structure makes the elements more available to the body.
PMDC is an autonomous corporation under the administrative control of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources , Government of Pakistan. It was established in 1974 with an authorized capital of Rs.1,000 million to expand and help mineral development activities in the country.
It is involved in exploration and evaluation of economic mineral deposits, preparation of techno-economic feasibility reports, mining and marketing.
PMDC is operating 4 Coal Mines, 4 Salt Mines/ quarries and a silica sand quarry. PMDC shares 17% of the coal and 58% of the total salt production in the country.
Himalayan salt from PMDC is considered of high purity/quality.
PMDC stands for a government department called Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation which actually owns most of the salt mines in Pakistan. Their accreditation includes no child labour used in these mines that are owned and operated by them (in fact employees must be over the age of 20) and laboratory testing performed by them guarantees the purity of their salt. The salt mines are in the foothills of the Himalayan region.
Family operated businesses in the area use this high quality Himalayan salt that they purchase from PMDC to produce all of their beautiful Himalayan salt products.
Yes, Himalayan Crystal Salt is renowned to contain 84 minerals and trace elements. Due to the salt’s remarkable crystalline structure, the minerals and trace elements are available in minute particles (colloidal size) and can easily be absorbed by human cells and metabolized. A typical analysis of Nirvana Himalayan Crystal Salt® includes elements Sodium, Chloride, Sulphur, Calcium, Potassium, Oxygen, Lithium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Selenium and Chromium and many additional trace elements, which is identical to elements originally found existing in the primal ocean. Our body fluids, which make up approximately 70% of our weight, contain almost the same ratio of elements as seawater.
No, Nirvana Himalayan Crystal Salt® contains NO additives or free-flowing agents of any kind. Our Himalayan Crystal Salt is 100% pure, unrefined, wholesome and holistic and tastes great too!
Of course! We suggest using ‘Fine Ground’ salt to pour into water while cooking pasta and rice or sprinkling it on your steamed vegetables or crunchy garden salad. Poached, scrambled, boiled or fried eggs taste great with our flavour-enhancing mineral-rich salt. Rub or sprinkle on to roast chicken, meat, fish or your favourite potato chips.
Nirvana ceramic salt inhalers use halite salt crystals as this special type of salt is preferable for salt inhalers. The salt crystals are naturally clear/white in appearance and have an isometric shape. The crystals release the perfect amount of therapeutic doses including specific mineral and trace elements as described below and last a very long time.
These natural deposits of mineral halite are derived from evaporated ancient lakes and seas. The unrefined rock salt, primarily sodium chloride, also includes varying concentrations of other mineral salts such as calcium and magnesium, manganese and sulfates which have additional therapeutic properties depending on the source.
You can check the salt crystals by removing the plug at the bottom of the salt pipe. If the salt pipe appears over half full, it will not need refilling. If the salt crystals appear moist, it is advisable to dry them in full sun or in an oven on low temperature setting before placing them back in the salt pipe.
Himalayan Crystal salt was laid down some 200 million years ago in a period free from human polluting. Salt like soil, contains a natural amount of minerals, trace elements and heavy metals. Himalayan salt is no different. The Codex Standard for food grade salt (including Himalayan salt) states that the maximum limit for Mercury is 0.1 mg/kg. The information on testing given to us by our suppliers states that Mercury is present in Himalayan salt at a rate of 0.005 mg/kg, well with permissible limits.
No, fluoride is only renowned as a minor trace element in our Himalayan crystal salt in extremely small quantities.
The fluoride that Himalayan Crystal Salt is renowned to contain as a minor trace element is actually calcium fluoride (not sodium fluoride).
To our knowledge sodium fluoride is the problem, not calcium fluoride which is actually beneficial. People think that all fluorides are the same, when in fact they are not. Calcium fluoride is good for our bones and teeth, whereas sodium chloride (in large quantities) is a poison to our bodies.
Himalayan crystal salt has natural occurring Iodine at 0.40mg per 1 level tsp (4g).