FAQ

What is spirulina?

​Spirulina is a blue green microalgae, which is recognized as the most nutrient dense superfood on Earth. It is native to Lake Texcoco in Mexico & Lake Chad, which lies on the southern edge of the Sahara desert. Spirulina thrives in the hot sunny desert, which makes our California farm the perfect growing environment.

What are the health benefits?

To learn about the many amazing health benefits of spirulina, make sure to check out our spirulina page where we go into greater detail!

How can I consume it? Are there any recipes?

For a list of recipes that work excellently with spirulina, be sure to check out our recipes page!

Because spirulina has almost no flavor (think unsalted pistachio), it will blend in nicely with pretty much anything! If you put spirulina in a drink we recommend blending it for even consistency. To maintain maximum nutritional value do not heat your spirulina past 140F. A good rule of thumb is if the dish is too hot to eat it is too hot for spirulina. You should add your spirulina once the dish has cooled. You can also eat spirulina plain if you want a quick hit of this incredible super food!

How much do you recommend eating per day?

For most people, we recommend 1-2 pods per day (this is 5-10 grams of pure 25% solids spirulina in addition to some water content). You can always increase the serving size for a more powerful cleanse, extra protein or an added boost to spirulina's many health benefits. Remember, spirulina is an immune booster and a detoxifying agent. If you have gut issues, an auto immune disease or are going through cancer treatment start with smaller servings and see how your body reacts.

How long will fresh frozen spirulina last?

Our pods will stay fresh in your freezer for about 6 months.​

We recommend handling fresh frozen spirulina like you would fish or other short shelf life products. Repeatedly thawing and refreezing  your spirulina will cause spoilage. We also recommend eating thawed spirulina that day. Allowing thawed spirulina to sit in the fridge for multiple days will cause spoilage.

What are the advantages of fresh frozen spirulina over powdered spirulina?

Unlike powdered spirulina, fresh frozen spirulina hasn't been processed or altered in any way. Powdered spirulina has a harsh fishy taste, pungant smell and tacky texture. Most powdered spirulina is flash dried, which oxidizes the product and makes the nutrients less bioavailable. Fresh spirulina is unprocessed, allowing your body to easily absorb the nutrients it provides. The flavor profile is light, creamy and similar to unsalted almonds. Oasia Farms' fresh frozen spirulina is already portioned out and ready to be placed in your freezer the second it arrives (ships on dry ice). Additionally, our convenient single serving packaging provides a higher quality, fresher and more convenient way to enjoy spirulina!

Is your packaging & shipping really 100% sustainable?

Yes! The insulated liner is made of cellulose and is recyclable.

The spirulina pods and cardboard box are also recyclable.​Most of our packages ship out with UPS Carbon Neutral labels. This means UPS will offset the emissions generated from delivering your package by planting trees or removing CO2 in another way.

What does it taste like?

Unlike powdered spirulina, fresh spirulina has a light flavor and a creamy texture. It's similar to yogurt or avocado.

When will my order arrive?

Our shipment day is scheduled every Tuesday and orders arrive in 24-48 hours.

Our shipping label generation service will send tracking info to your email. If you place your order after Monday at 8:00PM your order will ship on the next Tuesday, 8 days later. We do not ship out orders the week of Thanksgiving or Christmas because there are often shipping delays and packages can spoil in transit.

Why does it cost more than spirulina powder from large farms?

At Oasia Farms, you get what you pay for. Every package of spirulina is made with the highest quality materials. Our packaging is 100% sustainable and all of our fertilizers are tested for heavy metals. We also ozonate and UV filter all of the water used in our ponds. Growing in a rural coastal environment ensures pristine air quality. Every input has been carefully selected to produce the highest quality spirulina available.

Check out our Quality page or try some and see the difference for yourself!

Is it gluten free? Non-GMO? All natural? Vegan? Organically grown?

Yes!

How many servings are in my order?

There are 60 pods in our small box and 180 in our large box.

​Will it turn my tongue green?

Absolutely!

​Why is there sometimes blue spirulina in the bag?

The blue color comes from the blue pigment phycocyanin. Spirulina naturally produces this blue color which can sometimes leak out after packaging resulting in blue spirulina. 

Can I see the Nutrition Facts?

Raw Spirulina 8oz nutrition facts.

Frozen Spirulina Pods nutrition facts.

What is your cancellation policy?

Orders may be cancelled or delayed as long as the request is made before Monday at 8:00 PM.

Is it safe to eat algae?

Absolutely! People have been eating spirulina and other algae for centuries. Spirulina has even been GRAS certified (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the FDA. You have probably eaten some algae yourself and didn't even know it. Ever had a blue M&M? The blue tone comes from pigments extracted from spirulina. Note: Individuals with certain rare diseases should avoid spirulina. See below.

Is Oasia Farms spirulina certified organic?

While we never use pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals, the USDA Organic program does not recognize aquaculture crops like spirulina, making us ineligible for certification. The organics program was designed for terrestrial crops like corn and tomatoes, which are naturally fertilized by manure or compost. Unlike these crops, spirulina naturally grows in soda lakes with mineral deposits serving as fertilizer.

In order to grow spirulina "organically" one would have to put manure or compost into the growing ponds, creating sewage. This is kind of gross to say the least! Ironically, "organic spirulina" ends up being a lower quality, unnaturally grown product.

I have PKU. Is it safe for me to consume spirulina?

Unfortunately, spirulina is not safe for individuals with PKU. People with this rare disease can not process Phenylalanine, an amino acid that the body uses to build protein.

Is it safe to take spirulina while pregnant?

Yes! You should consult your doctor before consuming spirulina if you have any uncommon conditions like PKU (discussed above).