Where to find the organic everythings you need

Although we can now buy fresh, organically grown vegetables at some supermarkets, organic products, say, organic milk, are not easily found on the shelves.

In Jakarta, there are at least two shops offering a wide variety of organic products -- the Gourmet Boutique that sells an impressive range of imported French goods including natural and organic products, and Natural Organic that offers organic products only -- from foods to toiletries.

As for fresh vegetables, both shops offer Indonesian organic vegetables of the Amani brand. The other goods come from various countries. All imported products are organic certified; for instance, the American products bear the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic logo.

And don't be afraid of having to jostle with the hoi polloi for that pesticide-free celery stalk. For organic products are a tad more expensive than the norm, and shoppers were few and far between on both of our trips there.

* Natural Organic

Very clean in its appearance, this small shop looks warm and inviting with the shelves are stocked with a variety of goods from foods to toiletries, both for adults as well as for kids. The products are sourced from Japan, Australia, Austria, France, Canada, U.S and Indonesia.

The favorites include organic digestive juice from Switzerland, Biotta (Rp 80,000) that is available in a variety of tastes -- ranging from plum and apple to fig extract. Another healthy drink is Biotta celery root juice, which is good for your kidney.

Pure Harvest honey (Rp 88,000), dried fruits like dried pitted apricot (Rp38,900) and dried cherry are among favorites too.

If you prefer organic rice, pasta, noodles or udon -- the choice is yours. A pack of udon costs Rp 25,900, while Eden organic pasta priced at Rp 43,200.

Here, all fresh vegetables come from Amani farm. Various beans -- from American dark red kidney (Rp 29,900) to peas green whole (Rp 16,500) -- are available.

Organic extra fine sea salts (Rp15,700), liquid aminos from soy protein (Rp67,000), organic cooking oil as well as tomato sauce are there to spice up your organic dishes.

Organic teas come in several varieties, with prices ranging from Rp 37,000 to Rp 64,300. Santa Cruz soft drinks (Rp14,300) will quench your thirst, after you have munched on some organic tortilla chips (Rp 28,500).

Wanting wheat free and gluten free snacks? Glutano shortcake rings are up for grab at Rp 64,400. Eden soy, which is safe to drink as a substitute for dairy milk for lactose-intolerant people, is also available.

Kid's stuff is on offer too, from baby food and cereal to toothpaste (Rp 82,800). Organic cornflakes, candy (Rp 29,500), biscuits and chocolate join the ranks.

Rather than simply offering organic foods to lure customers, Natural Organic stocks hard-to-find organic toiletries, from shampoo and bubble bath to body lotion. Favorite is Australian Organika soap, priced at Rp 27,000.

So, if organic is your thing, Natural Organic is your spot where you can get organic foods as well as toiletries.

------------------------------------------- Natural Organic Dharmawangsa Square 3rd floor # 18 Jl. Dharmawangsa VI, Kebayoran Baru South Jakarta Tel: (021) 7280 1381 Fax: (021) 7280 1381 E-mail: naturalorganic@centrin.net.id www.naturalorganic.biz Opening hours: 10.30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. ---------------------------------------------

* The Gourmet Boutique

When I first entered this shop, I was fascinated with its impressive selection of French goods as well as plenty of room to move while accentuating its stylish yet homey atmosphere.

Opened in April 2002, The Gourmet Boutique offers imported French products, from adult to kid's food, from escargot to vitamins.

The selection is unbeatable, with 90 percent of the merchandise made in France while the rest comes from Australia, the U.S, Japan and Indonesia.

Get ready to be dazzled by the goods on display -- refined pastas, condiments from the Middle East, various choices of premium cold cuts and cheeses, spices and herbs for all your cooking needs and more.

It offers a wide range of natural and organic products as well -- mostly from France. All French organic goods bear the label AB /Agriculture Biologique (France has a national logo for organic products and the AB-Logo is owned by the French government).

Be tempted by the organic tea selection on display, from South Africa Red Tea to Bio Pure Ceylon tea. Among favorites are Verbena (helps to soothe nerves, calm and relax) and Linden Mint (calming, relaxing, relieves muscle contraction), each priced at Rp 39,800.

Or, you can sip Leaves Mint to combat cold and flu. Looking for another healthy drink? Then go for organic Eden Soy Extra, fortified with beta carotene, vitamins as well calcium.

Another favorite is Organic Japanese Sunflower seeds which are known as a source of minerals and vitamin E.

The shelves are stocked with organic juices, honey, pistachio (Rp 32,300), hazelnut (Rp 50,000), cereals, rice, pasta, dried prune (Rp 48,200), licorice sticks (Rp 25,200), orange & lemon candies (Rp 25,200), pureed strawberry, pureed blackcurrant, precooked sauerkraut (Rp 109,600) and more.

There are also organic products to perfect your home cooking, like old wine vinegar (Rp 87,500), apple cider vinegar (Rp 52,500), cube chicken and fine herbs stock, mild paprika (Rp 37,400), black pepper (Rp 31,300) and cinnamon powder (Rp 30,900).

This boutique offers gluten-free products too, such as organic buckwheat rice cake, priced at Rp30,555 and Eden gluten free soymilk.

As for fresh organic vegetables, they come from Amani farm. Organic chicken from France is priced at Rp 195,000 per kg and Bio Poultry Ravioli will set you back Rp 122,000 (650 grams).

Apart from organic products, the store also stocks natural products, like the favorites Natural Slimming Aid Green Tea capsules (Rp48,700).

In addition, apart from organic and natural products, The Gourmet Boutiques also offers homemade products as well, from yogurt to jams.

This shop sells hard-to-find gourmet foods as well, something that French cuisine aficionados and natural and organic devotees will find a reason to celebrate.

The Boutique can also supply goods upon request, like fresh Australian vegetables. Delivery service is available with a minimum purchase of Rp 100,000.

---------------------------------------------- The Gourmet Boutique Jl. Kemang Selatan IX No. 2A (behind Izzi Pizza) Kemang, South Jakarta Tel: (021) 718 1918 Fax: (021) 718 2533 E-mail: gourmetbtque@cbn.net.id Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. ---------------------------------------------

-- Susanna Tjokro