Reggae Star Introduces Ziggy Marley Organics

not There is no introduction needed for this Jamaican musician. Just the mention of his surname and you know that he comes from musical royalty. The five-time Grammy® Award winner is the oldest son of legendary reggae musician Bob Marley.

Ziggy Marley’s musical career traverses three decades and now he is looking to make his own invasion into the food industry with the launch of Ziggy Marley Organics. While I was in Miami, attending the 2013 South Beach Wine & Food Festival, I had the chance to sit down for a one-on-one conversation with Marley to learn more about his latest creation out of the studio.

When it comes to food, Marley is committed to supporting an organic lifestyle. This year he combined his passion for music and food when Ziggy Marley Organics made its debut at the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival.

The star-studded, four-day destination event showcased the talents of the world’s most renowned chefs and culinary personalities. Marley closed out the weekend’s celebration at the Guy Fieri’s Reggae Jam.

The Ritz-Carlton South Beach hosted a Caribbean-themed night that featured an amazing concert by Marley and incredible Jamaican food. Partygoers also had the chance to sample the hemp seeds and coconut oil.

Jamaican Culture as Inspiration

Food and music play a significant part in Marley’s culture and lifestyle. The inspiration behind Ziggy Marley Organics is to inspire people to think about what they put in their bodies.  “It opened up another world for me to communicate ideas and philosophies. The idea of Ziggy Marley Organics is food, but it is also part of our music too. Organic music and music for the soul, it covers everything, not just food,” says Marley.

• Dr. Maya Angelou Shares a Lifetime of Delicious Food and Memories
  
• On TV and in the Kitchen, Wendy Williams Keeps it Real
  

Ziggy Marley Organics are USDA-certified organic, non-genetically modified and kosher. The brand consists of a variety of different flavors of hemp seeds and also coconut oil, which Marley says are staples in Jamaican cuisine that he aims to impart to other parts of the world.

“We have two different products. We have a coconut product, its flavored coconut oils for cooking, but you can use it on your skin or hair. It’s the world’s first and it’s organic, GMO-free verified. I grew up having coconut in my food in Jamaica, so I’m used to it. It comes in different flavors: orange almond, curry and lemon ginger. If I am making pancakes for my kids, I use the coconut orange almond to give it flavor. Plus it is good for you, it’s good fat and it’s better than butter,” says Marley.

Don’t be intimidated to try cooking with Coco’Mon coconut oils. They are cold-pressed to give them the highest nutritional content with a fresh and clean taste. Cold-pressed is a form of expeller pressing used for delicate oils.

The process does not use external heat or harmful chemicals and the temperature does not exceed 118 degrees. The orange almond is the perfect blend of the slight sweetness of ripe oranges and earthy nuttiness of flavorful almonds. Use orange almond in sweet and spicy dishes or as a butter substitute in cookies, muffins or breads.

Lemon Ginger will add a prodigious zing to stir-fried vegetables or fish. If you’re looking to spice up your entrée, then try the Curry for an added kick to your dish.

“The next thing we have is the hempseeds, which are also flavored. The good thing about hemp seeds is that we roast them in the shell. I’ve never seen that before! Hempseeds are the most nutritionist thing on the plant. The hemp plant is a plant that is good for the soul.”

Unlocking the Benefits of Ziggy Marley Organics

Marley’s Hemp Rules is a healthy snack that you can eat right out of the bag. These soft seed hearts are also the perfect healthy addition to your menu. The Hemp seeds come in three flavors.

The Caribbean Crunch can be added to spice up your jerk seasoning. The Sea Salt & Pepper will give you just the right amount of tang and heat to your dishes. And when you want some extra protein and omega fatty acids, add shelled hemp seeds on your salads, soups or yogurt.

RELATED: Health Scare Puts Alton Weekes of Cellful Organics on Juicing Path

In Marley’s culture, healthy food is important, so it was only fitting for him to create the product line. “We don’t want our foods to be modified genetically without us understanding what that does to our bodies. People should have a right to know if what they’re buying in the market has been modified genetically.”

By increasing sustainability, we reduce the need to drain the Earth of its resources and create a healthier planet and healthier people.

If you’re looking for a unique and healthy culinary experience, be sure to try Ziggy Marley Organics. For information on ordering these products, visit the brand online.

The website has additional information as well as several recipes to try. While you’re there, be sure to download “Personal Revolution” from Marley’s latest album, “Ziggy Marley: In Concert.”