Rocky Mountain Superfoods brings spirulina to Boulder County
Rubin Crossman first discovered raw spirulina in 2017 and was immediately intrigued. After learning more about the superfood – which is a term that broadly encompasses foods that have exceptional nutrient density – he knew that he could combine his background in construction with his experience growing microgreens to bring a totally unique product to the Boulder County community. Soon, Rocky Mountain Superfoods was born.
The process hasn’t been quick – it took him four years to find the right place to build infrastructure to grow, and another few years for things to start going smoothly. Farming a product that is relatively new to the modern market means that he has done a lot of experimentation and trial-and-error. But, the constant learning and problem solving is part of what makes all of this worth it to Rubin.
First things first, what is spirulina?
Spirulina is a blue-green algae that has been eaten as a superfood for thousands of years. First eaten by the Aztecs as a nutritional supplement, scientists have since confirmed these benefits, leading to NASA astronauts using spirulina to supplement their nutrition in space.
This superfood is known for being high in protein, as well as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Mostly sold in a powder or pill form, according to Rubin, spirulina can be used in smoothies, sprinkled on avocado toast, eggs, salads, oatmeal, yogurt, mashed potatoes, or eaten straight from the bag!
How spirulina grows
Rubin grows his spirulina in long, shallow ponds in greenhouses he rents in Longmont. The water, kept at 95 degrees fahrenheit, in conjunction with sunlight and a few added nutrients, allows the spirulina to naturally reproduce itself every few days.
When harvesting, Rubin stops the paddle wheels that keep the water rotating through the pools. This allows the spirulina culture to rise to the surface of the water. He then skims off what has surfaced and lets it drain so only the spirulina remains. He does this all before sunrise, when his greenhouses have not yet reached their peak temperature of 120 degrees.
After pressing the remaining moisture out, he has what he calls a “raw product,” spirulina that he can either choose to dehydrate or use fresh. Mostly, he sells a fresh air-dried spirulina product that can be sprinkled like a seasoning or blended in a smoothie.
The purpose behind Rocky Mountain Superfoods
“I grow spirulina because I feel like it is a very important food for humanity and it’s a very easy way for people to uptake some of the nutrients that might be missing in their diet on a regular basis,” Rubin said.
He loves connecting to the community and being a space for people to try something new and be curious. Experiencing customers returning to re-stock, be enthusiastic about how it has benefited them, and eventually become a mentor for others looking to grow spirulina is what motivates him.
“If you’ve never tried spirulina I think it’s worth checking out, it’s a very unique food to add to your diet and I think it’s very special,” he said. “If you see me around or know anybody that uses it, talk to them about it. I think it’s worth investigating.”
Find Rocky Mountain Superfoods at the Boulder Farmers Market every Wednesday from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. and every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and at the Longmont Farmers Market every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
