Essentials to
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WEST INDIA SPICES INC.
he Caribbean island of Grenada is already known for its beautiful sunny beaches, and the inner sunshine of its friendly, welcoming people. Now one local family is putting Grenada on the map of leading producers of high quality essential oils. Simply put, essential oils are the true essence of plants and the key ingredient in millions of aromatic and aromatherapy products. Since December 2011, the St Bernard family consisting of Kevin, sister Lynda and brother Leonard and other members of the family, own and operate West India Spices Inc.(WISI) The factory is now possibly the largest and most modern facility producing vital essential oils in the Caribbean. Producing Nutmeg Oil from Grenada’s famous nutmegs, Nutmeg Butter, (used in baking and skin care), Nutmeg Oleoresin (which can be used in soaps and food products like sausages) as well as Pimento essential oil, Lemongrass essential oil and Taste of Life - Meat and Fish Seasonings, the other spice they produce is Ground Cinnamon. It’s safe to say that working with ‘nature’s gifts’ has always been in the St Bernard family blood. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Cuba and a Master of Applied Science in Spatial Information Science from Australia, Kevin St Bernard took
One of the essential ingredients-Nutmeg over the reins of General Manager a post previously held by Leonard his brother. December 2012 marked the first year of WISI and “In this short space of time the company looks good,” states Kevin, “despite these challenging global economic times. Because we are a manufacturing facility we did receive concessions from Government for product packaging. Our most popular products are The Nutmeg and Lemongrass essential oils and we are informing the public of their various uses as they are not really accustomed to these types of products as yet.” Never one to rest on his laurels, St Bernard set about an innovative plan to get customers to better appreciate www.businessgrenada.com
WISI products first hand, adding to the already wonderful allure of the spice isle. “One of the ways that we can educate the public is that we have opened the factory up for tours, including primary and secondary school students. It is important to start educating the younger generation about Essential Oils, their uses and how they are produced. We also have tour operators and tourist coming in for tours of the facility.” Students and visitors alike are given a delightful history of nutmeg and are shown the production process and take on a stroll through the factory grounds where nutmeg and other spice trees are grown. The family estate lands elsewhere in Grenada and local farmers, through the GCNA provide other
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