About 1001 Organic
SOCIALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS
1001 Organic is committed to improving the social, environmental and financial livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Through fair business conditions, sustainable direct trade and access to attractive niche markets, farmers and their families can benefit from a higher standard of living, and we go one step further by moving the value chain to a Least Developed Country (LDC).
Producing our spices at the point of origin not only offers you maximum freshness and quality, but also creates jobs and strengthens the local economy. At the same time, we actively support the community and work together to promote biodiversity through agroforestry to ensure holistic, sustainable development in the growing regions.
1001 Organic not only contributes to the wellbeing of our partner farmers and the local community, but thanks to distribution without intermediaries, freshly harvested and incredibly flavourful spices come directly from the spice forests to your kitchen.
1001 Organic - A small start-up with a big mission
We are Raphael and Marcel, founders of 1001 Organic, a dedicated start-up with a Tanzanian-Swiss team. Our vision is to bring high-quality spices directly from Zanzibar to you –fairly, sustainably and with real local added value. Direct contact with you as a consumer is a key factor in our social spice company. The team in Zanzibar is under the passionate and warm leadership of Elizabeth and our young, international team makes it possible and works with great enthusiasm on solutions that take into account your consumer interests as well as the interests of the local community in Zanzibar, Tanzania – one of the least developed regions in the world.
From smallholder farmer to your kitchen
Our ‘Farm to Kitchen’ concept focuses on direct trade and maximising local value creation, which creates jobs and strengthens the local economy in a financially, socially and ecologically sustainable way. For us, it's about more than trade – it's about partnerships, transparency and real flavour.
1001 Organic is a spin-off of Zanzibar's first organic and socially oriented spice wholesaler, founded by Hamburg entrepreneur Michael Haentjes. The wholesale company takes an impact-based approach to the entire value chain – from cultivation to processing and export overseas.
The Honest Flavour - Real spices, real values from around the world
Our innovative, fair value chain aims to inspire the industry. On our journey as a social enterprise from Zanzibar, we have met many passionate small producers around the world. However, their high-quality spices often end up – as was the case with us at the beginning – at low prices in the wholesale trade, without fair access to the market.
With our ‘The Honest Flavour’ product line, we are changing that: we offer small, independent producers worldwide a platform and focus on direct partnerships, fair prices and the highest quality. Our spices come directly to you freshly harvested, sustainably and with full transparency. In this way, we are expanding the ethos of 1001 Organic and tapping into new, exciting spices, cultures and traditions. The Honest Flavour stands for honest taste and responsibility - spices that mean more.
1001 ORGANIC TEAM
Raphael is a Swiss entrepreneur and lawyer with over a decade of experience in the East African food and natural ingredients industry. The “Farm to Kitchen” concept, which today forms the basis of 1001 Organic, stems from his vision to create more fairness for the spice producers in Zanzibar and more transparency and freshness for the end consumer. Raphael lives locally in Tanzania with his family.
Elizabeth, our CEO in Zanzibar, has over a decade of experience in raw material procurement and trade. She is the central contact person who connects our smallholder farmers, production and retail business and ensures smooth packing processes. With her green thumb and passion for horticulture, she is not only a true connoisseur of spices, but also a devoted mother who loves preparing meals for her children.
Marcel Rupf is proud to have co-founded 1001 Organic after more than 12 years in the financial industry and to run it from Zurich. With his commitment to ethical financial practices and his drive for environmental responsibility, Marcel is committed to doing his part for a more sustainable and equitable future. His leadership skills and expertise are key success factors for 1001 Organic.
Chris is our new Operations Assistant and supports Elizabeth on site in all areas from sourcing raw materials to distribution to our stores. He takes full responsibility for coordinating production, quality assurance and all operational processes. As a local, Chris is passionate about the social concerns of the local community and encourages local collaboration. He is an indispensable player who plays a key role in both production and the community.
Yumna is very good at organising and optimising our processes. She ensures that the packing of our spices runs smoothly. She works very efficiently and her organisational skills, team spirit and positive attitude contribute to a great working atmosphere.
Jessica is passionate about the production and packaging of our spices. She mixes our masalas and ensures that the tubes are accurately labelled and packed. She always works to the highest standards of hygiene. With her outgoing personality, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm for fashion, she brings good humour to the team. Jessica is also constantly improving her English.
Quality is not just a standard but a commitment for 1001 Organic, and Wardat has been the guardian of that promise for as long as we can remember. With her magic hands and dedication, she carefully sorts, winnows and handpicks each spice, ensuring that only the finest and purest spices reach your kitchen, carrying the essence of true craftsmanship and preserving the integrity of each batch.
Magreth our friendly shop assistant will make your spices shopping experience effortless and enjoyable. With her warm smile and deep knowledge of all our products, she's always ready to assist you in finding an option for your need, and she's happy to guide you through 1001 Organic's spice selection. Visit her at our Gizenga Spicery in Zanzibar Stone Town.
What makes us unique
Experience the pure, natural taste of "1001 Organic" spices! Our social enterprise is deeply committed to promoting sustainable farming practices and supporting the organic food movement in Tanzania.
We're proud to work directly with smallholder farmers to unlock remunerative international markets for ethically-sourced, high-quality spices. We reinvest our profits at the farmer level to scale our impact and create a brighter future for everyone involved.
By supporting organic spice growers to adapt to climate change and earn a decent living from practicing regenerative agroforestry, we protect Zanzibar's fragile biodiversity and natural forests. Join us in our mission to make every meal a delicious and responsible choice!
By sourcing directly, we have access to freshest spices, are fully traceable and can control the quality from spice forest to your kitchen. You're looking for a way to add genuine flavor to your cooking, choose 1001 Organic and taste the difference that direct sourcing makes!
Natural, fresh, direct: Our commitment to quality and freshness means that every spice in our product line is incredibly flavourful and perfect for elevating your favorite dishes. Taste the difference with 1001 Organic spices today!
Our Zanzibar Black Pepper is the proud winner of the renowned Monde Selection Gold Award. The vine-ripened Peppercorns are carefully hand-picked and sun-dried for a bright, fruity and spicy flavor profile that's unlike anything else in the market.
