Seeds of Change is a popular brand of packaged foods and ingredients founded on the principles of sustainable agriculture. Their products include a variety of grains, legumes, sauces, simmer sauces, salsas, and frozen meals. While Seeds of Change products are shelf-stable before opening, some people wonder if the seeds and grains can be eaten cold or if they need to be heated first.
Can you eat Seeds of Change products cold?
The short answer is yes, you can eat Seeds of Change products cold. The seeds, grains, beans and legumes in their packaged ingredients are fully cooked and ready to eat without further heating. Their sauces, salsas, and simmer sauces are also prepared in a way that allows them to be enjoyed cold if desired. However, some people may prefer to heat them before eating for maximum flavor. The frozen meals do require heating before consumption.
So while you can eat Seeds of Change products straight out of the package, it comes down to personal preference on whether you want to heat them up first or not. The cooked grains and beans, as well as sauces and salsas, are safe to eat directly from the package without further cooking.
More Details on Specific Products
Here is some more detail on enjoying specific Seeds of Change products cold or heated:
Grains and Legumes
The quinoa, rice, couscous, beans, and lentils sold by Seeds of Change are fully cooked and then dried and packaged. This means they have already been heated during the initial cooking process to temperatures that kill any potential pathogens. The drying and packing process then preserves them so they are shelf-stable in the package at room temperature. They can be safely eaten straight from the package without reheating if desired. However, some people prefer to heat them up to enhance the flavor and texture. This is a matter of personal taste.
Some examples of their packaged grains and legumes that can be eaten cold are:
– Quinoa
– Brown rice
– Couscous
– Black beans
– Lentils
If you do want to heat them, you can follow the microwave or stovetop heating instructions on the package. Take care not to overheat them.
Simmer Sauces
Seeds of Change simmer sauces, like their Spicy Peanut Coconut, Korma Curry, and Three Chile, are also processed in a way that makes them safe to eat cold. The sauces are cooked to high enough temperatures during production to eliminate food safety risks from bacteria. The sauces can then be stored at room temperature unopened.
When ready to eat, you can heat the sauce to enhance the flavors. But it is also perfectly safe to eat straight from the package without warming it up first. The sauce can be poured over salads, grains, vegetables, or protein. Some people enjoy it as a dip for things like bread or tortilla chips. Again, it comes down to personal preference on whether to heat it or not.
Salsas
Seeds of Change salsas like Tomatillo Green Chili or Roasted Chile & Corn are processed for room temperature storage. The salsas are cooked, bottled hot, and then cooled rapidly to prevent bacterial growth. Once on the shelf, the unopened salsas do not require refrigeration.
When you open a salsa jar, you can eat it right away without heating it first. But you may want to heat it to bring out more flavor notes. Either way is safe – it just depends on your taste and texture preference. The salsa can be served cold as a dip, sauce, or topping. Or you can warm it up and use as a salsa topping on dishes like tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and chili.
Frozen Meals
Seeds of Change’s frozen organic meals like enchiladas, burritos, rice bowls, and soups do require heating before consumption. Since these contain fresh vegetables, grains, beans and protein, thorough cooking is required for food safety. You need to heat these frozen meals fully until steaming hot before eating. Follow the heating instructions on the package. Do not eat Seeds of Change frozen meals without heating them first.
Storage Considerations
To maintain peak quality, Seeds of Change products should be stored properly:
Unopened packages:
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Avoid storage in hot places like near the oven or in direct sun.
- Shelf life varies but can range from 12-24 months if sealed.
- Look at best by dates on each package.
Opened packages:
- Use opened grain and legume packages within about 6 months.
- Keep opened sauce jars and salsa jars refrigerated and use within about 2-3 months.
- Use thawed frozen meals within about 3-5 days.
Proper storage helps lock in the flavor and texture of Seeds of Change products. Make sure to seal opened packages well between uses.
Nutritional Profile When Eaten Cold
When eaten straight out of the package without further cooking, Seeds of Change products retain the same nutritional profile as if they were heated. The cooking and processing the products go through gives them a long shelf life and makes them safe to eat cold.
Here are some of the nutrients found in Seeds of Change foods:
| Food | Calories | Protein | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quinoa | 170 per 1⁄4 cup dry | 6 grams per 1⁄4 cup dry | 3 grams per 1⁄4 cup dry |
| Black beans | 110 per 1⁄4 cup dry | 7 grams per 1⁄4 cup dry | 8 grams per 1⁄4 cup dry |
| Couscous | 176 per 1⁄4 cup dry | 6 grams per 1⁄4 cup dry | 2 grams per 1⁄4 cup dry |
| Spicy Peanut Coconut Simmer Sauce | 90 per 2 tbsp | 2 grams per 2 tbsp | 2 grams per 2 tbsp |
As you can see, these foods offer calories, protein, fiber and various micronutrients whether served heated or straight from the package. So you can gain these important nutrients from Seeds of Change products without further cooking.
Taste and Texture Differences
While safe to eat cold, some Seeds of Change products may taste better heated. Here is a comparison:
Grains and beans
Eating grains and beans straight from the package produces a firmer, drier texture than if heated. They also absorb liquids like sauces and dressings better when warm. The taste when cold is more muted versus heated.
Heating brings out a fluffier, creamier texture and enhanced flavor notes. Toasting the grains briefly before heating also accentuates the nuttiness. The choice depends on your texture and flavor preferences.
Simmer sauces and salsas
The sauces have a thicker texture and more reserved flavor profile straight from the fridge. Heating makes them thinner, smoother and brings out the spices, chilies and herbs. Salsas also tend to taste more vibrant when warmed.
So for maximum taste and texture, warming the sauces and salsas before serving is recommended. However, they can still be used cold if desired. Shake jars well before using.
Serving Ideas for Eating Cold
Here are some ideas for serving Seeds of Change products without heating:
Grains and beans:
– Toss quinoa or couscous into a salad or bowls with veggies, nuts, cheese, etc.
– Make bean and lentil salads, seasoned with vinaigrette.
– Mix beans into salsa, guacamole or hummus for dips.
– Use beans, quinoa or rice in cold sandwiches and wraps.
Sauces and salsas:
– Drizzle simmer sauce over room temp grains or greens.
– Use salsa as a dip for tortilla chips, bread, or raw veggies.
– Pour sauces over chicken, fish or tofu.
– Mix sauces into cold grain or pasta salads.
– Use as a topping for tacos, nachos, chili, etc.
The sauces and salsas also work nicely blended into dressings, mayos, cheese spreads, etc. So get creative with how you incorporate them without heating!
Heat First for Maximum Flavor
For the best taste and texture, it is often recommended to heat Seeds of Change products before serving. Here are suggested heating methods:
Stovetop:
– Heat grains and beans in a saucepan with a little liquid. Add seasonings.
– Warm simmer sauces gently in a saucepan, stirring frequently.
– Heat salsas in a saucepan, taking care not to boil.
Microwave:
– Heat individual servings of grains or beans in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of water.
– Warm sauce jars or salsa jars in the microwave in short bursts, shaking between.
Oven:
– Spread grains and beans on a baking sheet and warm at 300°F for 10-15 minutes.
– Bake sauce and salsa in oven-safe dishes at 300°F for 5-10 minutes.
Start with shorter heating times and check often to prevent overheating. Just bring the products fully warmed through.
Try Them Both Ways
When it comes to Seeds of Change products, don’t be afraid to eat them directly out of the package without further cooking. Their processing methods make this safe. But for maximum flavor and enjoyment, heating them is recommended.
We suggest trying Seeds of Change grains, beans, sauces and salsas both ways – straight from the package and heated up – and see which you prefer. Get creative with how you incorporate them into recipes and meals without heating. But also try heating them in different ways to bring out their best flavor.
Heated or unheated, Seeds of Change products provide healthy, sustainable plant-based ingredients that are full of nutrients and delicious. Keep your storage practices right, and they’ll be ready to enjoy whenever you’re hungry!
Conclusion
Seeds of Change offers a variety of packaged plant-based foods and ingredients that are processed for safe room-temperature storage. Their grains, beans, lentils, sauces and salsas can all be eaten cold straight out of the properly sealed package without further cooking. However, many people prefer to heat them before eating to bring out fuller flavor and improve the texture. Storage method matters – make sure to store them properly sealed in a cool, dry place and refrigerate opened sauces. Check best by dates for optimal freshness and use opened packages within a few months. Heated or unheated, Seeds of Change products provide healthy nutrients and sustainable plant-based options for meals and recipes. Whether you eat them cold for convenience or warm for maximum taste, you can feel good knowing they are safe and wholesome.