A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Our Selection Process and Sourcing Philosophy
At Gourmie Goods, we believe in a simple truth: not all food is created equal. There’s extra virgin olive oil you find on supermarket shelves, and then there’s extra virgin olive oil made by artisans in small batches on their family estate, harvested and bottled at the perfect moment of the season. Despite being technically the same product, the difference between these two couldn’t be more stark—how they’re made, by whom, and where—all of which impact flavor, nutritional value, and more.
No product enters our selection by chance—everything is chosen with care and intention, not just to meet demand, but to elevate the way we experience food. Our rigorous selection process ensures that only exceptional products make it to your table. Here’s what matters most to us, and why it should matter to you.
Our Criteria: What It Takes to Make the Cut
When sourcing products and manufacturers, we prioritize clean, natural ingredients, fair and ethical production in Europe, an authentic story and values, brand appeal, and honest pricing. Only the best products make the cut—we won’t waste our customers' time (or money!) on anything less. To be part of Gourmie Goods, a product must meet the following criteria:
Simple, Clean & Pure Ingredients
Extraordinary chefs and home cooks know that great food starts with high-quality ingredients. All the products we offer are made with ingredients you'd find in a home kitchen—real, recognizable, and 100% natural. There’s no place for flavor enhancers, artificial colorants, soy lecithins, or similar ultra-processed additives. Ingredient lists should be short, clear, and easy to understand—because no one should have to decode their food. We’ve done the work so our customers can shop with confidence. We also prioritize seasonality—ingredients should be harvested at their natural peak, not forced out of season. This means better taste, better nutrition, and better farming practices.
Locally Made in Europe
All our artisan producers and growers are based across Europe, a region with a deep-rooted specialty food culture that we aim to help preserve for generations to come. Whenever possible, we prioritize working with producers who primarily use ingredients sourced locally (within 100 km), regionally (within 400 km), or nationally (within the same country) from the maker’s location. For products like specific spices or chocolate, which require ingredients that don't naturally grow in Europe, we prefer to partner with experts who take a radically ethical and transparent approach to sourcing, such as Original Beans and Ocelot.
Flavor First
At the end of the day, food has to taste great. While taste is personal, we all know a good product when we try one. We also lean on our Gourmie community for feedback and reviews when introducing something new—because if it’s not delicious, it won’t last. Once you experience the richness of a truly great single-origin chocolate or the texture of artisanal bronze-die pasta, there’s no going back to industrially-made versions.
Specialization and Mastery of Their Craft
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all brands. Instead of sourcing from large umbrella brands that produce everything from cereals to crisps and sauces, we seek out artisans who have carved out a true niche—specialists dedicated to mastering a single product or ingredient with exceptional focus. A kombucha brewery that makes only kombucha and kombucha-based alcohol-free drinks, like BOUCHE, or a brand that builds its entire range around one ingredient, like Cravers with their hazelnut butters and energy balls. This level of dedication results in better products, deeper expertise, and a unique, refined offering that simply can't be matched by brands trying to do it all.
Fair & Ethical Production
We work with independent European growers, makers, and food artisans who are paid fairly, produce with integrity, respect their environment, and reinvest in their communities. Transparency is key—if a product isn’t made in-house, we expect brands to be upfront about who makes it and under what conditions. We also build direct relationships with all our suppliers to ensure trust and fairness as we grow and evolve together.
Where Possible, Organic
Organic farming supports biodiversity, human and animal health, and the environment. Many of our products are organic-certified, and as an online retailer, we are certified organic as well. While certification isn’t the only measure of quality—and even within European organic standards, there’s always room for improvement—we prioritize products grown without synthetic chemicals or pesticides.
Plant-Centered
We believe in wholesome, natural foods, and most of our assortment is plant-forward, suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Science shows that a wholefood diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and healthy fats benefits both our health and the planet, and we’re committed to offering more of it.
Brand Appeal & Authenticity
We eat with our eyes, but brand appeal isn’t just about looks. It’s about how you do business, too. From our experience, we haven’t met a truly exceptional food artisan who doesn’t put as much care into presenting their products as they do into making them. Unlike most concept stores that focus solely on packaging, we see strong and authentic brand identity as a supporting sign of craftsmanship and thoughtfulness. While it doesn’t lead our selection process, it’s a strong final indicator—once purity of ingredients, true craftsmanship, and great taste have all been confirmed—that a maker takes their work seriously.
Sustainable Packaging
At Gourmie Goods, we’re mindful of our footprint and seek the same in our partners. Packaging should be recyclable, compostable, or made from sustainable materials. We know sustainability is a journey, which is why we choose partners who are always evolving—just like we are.
Why This Matters to You
As of today, we have more than 100 products in our assortment, sourced directly from some of the best food artisans, growers, and makers across Europe. Our goal has never been to grow our selection as quickly as possible—quite the opposite. We know that good things can’t be rushed, and in a market flooded with endless choices, it’s not always easy to tell what’s worth your money and what isn’t. That’s why we take the time to research and connect with Europe’s best food artisans in each category, dedicating ourselves to truly exceptional goods and makers—even if it means growing slower. This approach ensures we can always be 100% confident in the quality of what we offer, and when we find the best, we can count on them to grow with us for years to come.
That said, we’re not chasing perfection, and we know mistakes will happen along the way. But our commitment remains the same: to source and offer products of the highest quality and unforgettable flavor, continually refining our selection year after year. Whether you’re choosing one of our Gourmie Gift Boxes for someone special or shopping for your daily meals, you can trust that every product has passed through this careful selection process.
When you buy from Gourmie Goods, you’re not just getting premium-quality food—you’re supporting a radically transparent, ethically sourced, and taste-driven food system. You’re choosing real food, made by real people, with integrity, sustainability, fairness, and craftsmanship at its heart.
Discover products from exceptional European food artisans and regional producers in our online delicatessen store today. Eat well.
About author
Baiba Soika
Food writer and Co-founder of Gourmie Goods, Baiba is dedicated to putting good food at the center of modern living, believing food is the foundation of a successful life. With a background in international trade, design, and technology, she brings a unique, multifaceted approach to food industry. When not sourcing products or exploring new brands and trends, you'll find her somewhere near the sea, on the badminton court, doing sudoku, or in the kitchen, crafting simple yet flavorful dishes. Based in Düsseldorf, Germany.
