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Essence of Life Organics
Categories: Food Grocery Food Specialty Food Health Food Store Grocery, Health Food Store [Edit]
50 Kensington AveToronto, ON M5T
Neighbourhood: Kensington Market
(416) 506-0345
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 10 am - 7:30 pm
Sun 11 am - 6:30 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
37 reviews for Essence of Life Organics
Review Highlights
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"All the products we use are significantly cheaper here." In 3 reviews -
"Digestive enzymes, gluten-free snacks, diva cups." In 3 reviews -
"and Chia seeds from bulk bins." In 8 reviews
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37 reviews in English
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Review from Selene n.
Toronto, ON
12/6/2011
this place IS my happy place. I could (and have) wander the aisles for hours. That would be an amazing way to spend ANY day. I have actually brought people to kensington market JUST so I could introduce them to this place, it's THAT good. I've been going here for well over 10 years and am happy to say that it's gotten better and better!
If you have any questions about any of the products, the owners of the store are great. Most of the part time staff can't answer questions (except for one guy in the grocery section that always seems to be around conveniently when I have a million questions - go you, guy!) but the two women who seem to own the place know everything, including which bulk products are truly raw. The prices are great (although tutti fruitti does take best priced on many items, including the raw and the superfoods) and they stay pretty competitive with other market stores.
Seriously, this store has everything you will ever need to live a healthy and happy life - and at prices that won't bust your budget! They also have the cheapest cacao nibs in town (although their price HAS gone up 3$/lb over the summer...still the cheapest!). Toooons of natural house and beauty products, including everything you need to make your own. Loads of gluten-free and vegan items. And CHEAP sweets from the earth baked goods!!!
I really can't think of any way this place could be better. Thank you Essence for making my LIFE! -
Review from Tara E.
4/25/2012 9 Check-ins Here
A great organic grocery store in Kensington Market. I often come here to stock up on my daily items, that is: tea and dark organic chocolate. This place has the great prices on Stash tea ($2.49-$2.79), and ridiculous prices on other items. For example laundry detergent. I get Nature Clean brand (43 loads) for $7.39. It's $8.99 at Loblaws, and it was $10.19 when I saw it at Noah's. Whoa.
Their fresh produce and dairy section is pretty sweet, but (as often happens with organic produce) expect to pay top dollar.
They also often have almost expired dark chocolate on sale for $4 for 2 bars. This is not below me. This is SO right up my alley. -
Review from Stephanie C.
Toronto, ON
4/18/2012 23 Check-ins Here
It's one of my favourite local organic grocers.
They have narrow aisles which can be a pain on busy weekends when everyone else is shopping.
Their selection is three times better than other organic stores nearby and much less expensive, except for their grocery items. Granted, the food is organic but I still end up shopping at my favourite grocer up the street, and get everything else I need here. -
Review from Shari L.
Toronto, ON
3/22/2012
Essence of Life, I tried to love you. But I'm sorry, I just... can't.
I feel like this place is well loved by vegans and hippies+hipsters... But you want to know a secret? You can 9/10 times find special vegan/gf/dietary-restriction products sold here at chain stores, and occasionally for much better deals (i.e. sales). Or if you're really into defying those big bad chain stores, why not go all out and shop at farmers' markets/St Lawrence Market?
Produce can be found fresher and cheaper in both K-Market and Chinatown. Bulk foods and other products can be found cheaper (usually) at Tutti Frutti. I admit I haven't gone through their supplements much, but I avoid them in an attempt to gather my nutrients from food instead. And for those whose focus is health, that is really the way to a balanced and healthy lifestyle, not supplements (unless you're a vegan, in which case stock up on that VitB,D + minerals).
Finally, I cannot deny that EOL is adorably indie, but that's just not enough to make me love it. I'm sorry. I really tried. -
Review from Nicole P.
4/6/2012
So many good things! Really conveniently located in Kensington, reasonably priced, and the staff is friendly. If only they knew what aisle the hemp hearts were, instead of the long, confused scenic route we took to find them.
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Review from Shannon F.
Toronto, ON
11/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
What isn't awesome about this store?!?!?!
Hands down the best organic grocery/household/beauty product location in downtown Toronto. And who doesn't enjoy a trip to Kensington for the flavour if nothing else? But back to Essences...huge grocery section: frozen and fresh vegetables, prepared meals, grains, coffee & teas, breads, bulk foods, dairy - or non-dairy dairy if you're vegan/lactose, canned, crackers, you name it, its there.
The household section carries everything eco-friendly you could imagine from dryer sheets to soaps to paper products and cleaners.
There also my favourite part of the store...the beauty section. WIth a huge variety of different eco-friendly brands. Vitamins, toothpaste, creams, lotions, perfumes, of all varieties. If you've been eco-friendly long (of not so long) you know it can be difficult to find a brand right off the bat that you love. The staff is very knowledgeable about all the products and is more than happy to make a recommendation.
The layout is dense - they make the most of their space and there's always someone to gracefully work around in the aisles so patience can be a virtue when getting to your favourite things but in this eco-friendly place, people tend to be, well, friendly.
I cannot say enough great things about Essece Of Life - which I just usually call "Essences". The price is a bit below average for most of these products - I've been to "Natural" stores before and seen the items I buy priced for 3 times what I pay at Essences.
I love Essences. I love running out of things because I get to make another trip there! -
Review from Edward H.
Toronto, ON
10/10/2011
great place and great price for every day organic and vegetarian/vegan food items. Knowledgable staff make your hard choices easier.
I was speaking to the owner, and she said herself went through serious illness some years back and no medicine could help her. She started holistic medicine herself and got her life/vitality back. To appreciate the "gift" of health she opened this store selling holistic treatments for great price, so more people could benefit from the natural healing of mother earth! -
Review from Amanda L.
Toronto, ON
1/15/2012
I was impressed by this place. It was a little crazy inside but I picked up a few gluten free items I have not seen elsewhere and the prices were significantly cheaper than loblaws. A huge supplement section but they didn't carry the digestive enzymes my dog uses (got them over at Tutti Frutti). I will definitely be back.
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Review from Mama t.
Toronto, ON
9/24/2011
Essence of Life - my one true love. I buy everything (except produce) here.. From diapers to soap (tea tree oil). A vegan's wet dream. And they now finally carry so delicious coconut milk!!! 2 for $5!!
The owners are very helpful and friendly-I can't imagine supporting any other store. -
Review from Jessica W.
Toronto, ON
5/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
The prices here are so good! How are they so good? How?!?!
I've also always found the staff really helpful and friendly. It's nice to shop there.
My only cons are:
-Produce is a tad weak. But that's not really their focus and you're better off finding produce elsewhere in the market, maybe try Food 4 Life.
-Aisles are narrow, but it's a tricky balance because the more aisles, the more awesome savings they can cram in there. I'd recommend leaving the stroller at the door and attacking this store on foot. -
Review from Bartek C.
York, ON
7/9/2011
Coming from a smaller city, this store makes my eyes water. Most of the reviews have pointed out the what I would want to say but just to add one more to the pile:
* Amazing prices on nearly everything. *Nut butters, flours, great (healthy) snacks, dried fruits, the list goes on and on
* Amazing selection of vitamin, minerals, roots. My mom is a health nut and she could barely contain herself when she visited Toronto.
* Super friendly staff and exceptionally clean store.
* Great, eco-friendly alternatives to everything you could use in the bathroom, kitchen, house. Love their soaps!
If you care any bit about your health, this store is absolute heaven. Check it out! :) -
Review from Wendy H.
Toronto, ON
12/8/2010 ROTD 11/30/2011
I fa-reaking lahv this place, okay?!?!?!?! I will marry it, so help me god. And then they'll write a story about me in the papers, cause look, it's another freak-woman who's marrying herself or an inanimate object or something.
So maybe the aisles are a little too narrow and you'll take the long way around to the bulk section just to avoid saying "excuse me" four times in 10 seconds. So maybe you want to skip some of the produce and buy elsewhere. I don't even care, okay?!?!?!?! This place is the jam.
I go here for cheap-ass bulk prices on my quinoa, beans & nooch. I go here for 5 for $10 almond milk. I go here for tempeh and coconut oil. I go here for shampoo and soap. Yes, I've become a goddamned hippie. Yes, I like cheap prices, excellent selection and things that are awesome.
If you're on the hunt for a store that has all of your organic/vegan/hippie needs conglomerating in ONE PLACE, this is fa-reaking it. -
Review from Payal D.
Brampton, ON
2/7/2011
Can I say I heart this store?
You name it, they have it! I have never seen these many varieties of tofurkey/seitan/tempeh/mock meat anywhere but here! I live in the burbs but at least once a month we make the trip down here as their selection of vegan/vegetarian/organic foods/everyday use items is nowhere to be found!!
The only *wish* I have at this point is for more walking space between the aisles. But, it is Kensington market, and if less walking space means more goods then by all means, cramp away!
I'll say it again...this store is awesome! -
Review from Andy O.
Updated - 11/16/2011
Besides everything that I have criticized so far, now I have realized that they not only sell expired food but partly do it on purpose. Two weeks ago, I have told one employee about cheese that had expired about two weeks before. About one week ago, I found they did not only not remove it, they lowered the price instead. And by now, it's nearing the one month mark. I wonder how long those things will be in there.
So - expiry date is something one should pay really close attention to here.
People there are also very ignorant about the products they sell but pretend otherwise. For instance, I asked about a product that they have sold ever since I first shopped there over a year ago - up until about 1-2 months ago. When asking what's going on, an employee said that it's not being produced any more. I guess that's why the company still sells it on their website and they have it at Wholefoods...
And the other day, I witnessed a conversation another customer had with the owner of the store about a product about which he at first said "Oh, they don't deliver to Canada" - but they HAD other products of the same company right there! And when he saw that, he still wouldn't quit the bullshitting and argued in a very odd way about why he doesn't carry that one particular product.
By now, I really don't know what people are raving about. Yes, I don't know of another organic store with such reasonable prices but if Wholefoods wasn't so far from the nearest TTC stop (only been there once because of that), I would definitely see whether they take better care of their products and customers, prices be damned!2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/21/2010
I just discovered the cereal I recently bought there has actually expired two months ago. Between… Read more »
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Review from Erin B.
9/10/2010 5 Check-ins Here
Reasons I love Essence of Life:
They sell everything. Everything! Reusable dryer balls made of some sort of healthy plastic? Yup. Every type of alternative flour under the sun (cheaper than anywhere else I've seen)? Yup. Digestive enzymes, gluten-free snacks, diva cups? Yup, yup, yup.
Also, the place is really big (it has to be to house all those products) and the staff are friendly and quick. Can't go wrong.Listed in: Gluten free Toronto!
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Review from Neil T.
Toronto, ON
8/2/2010
I'm no tree hugging organic hippie, but I do like to pretend like I'm healthier than I really am. I love Essence mainly for their "pharmacy" area, where you can get pretty damned affordable skin products, supplements, deodorants, etc. There's one really cute Asian girl that works there, which is a bonus.
I've had limited success in the grocery part of the store, mainly because I forget that its there and end up buying stuff in Chinatown. The organic packaged goods are pretty affordable, but from my memory, the limited fruits and veg were a touch on the pricey side.
Anyway, 5-stars all the way! It's got the goods for hippie tree huggers and genetically modified swine eaters. -
Review from omar k.
Toronto, ON
11/8/2011
i was just at essence and am surprised that i never reviewed the place. it's fantastic! really dense place, it's fun to just walk the aisles and see what they have.
i think everyone here has said almost everything i appreciate about essence of life, i just want to add that they have a great selection of stephano's granola. tasty and well-priced. gonna eat some right now! -
Review from Jennifer M.
Toronto, ON
8/24/2010
Oh No! Today I became a convert.
Years and Years of Tutti Fruitti. Years. Then today, with filled pack of Tutti Fruitti treats I decided to pop into Essence of Life and see this new "extension." And then I check the prices on the things I just bought. Not significantly cheaper, but $.20 here, $.40 there - adds up. New Chapter Vitamins were a few bucks less.
EOL used to be more expensive than TF. What gives! Their bulk section still doesn't compare but the pharmacy, supplements and household items has now swayed me. I may stay loyal to both, but price check before I make any large commitments.Listed in: Best of the Best, Health/Organic Food Stores &…
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Review from Kat F.
Updated - 10/28/2009 1 Check-in Here
How on earth did I initially only give my favourite health food store only four stars!? This is a ten star store. The only thing that could elevate it to The Only Store I'd Ever Shop At™ status would be if they could bring back Tings (http://s2.thisnext.com...). For some reason I can't find them here anymore.
REASONS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH ESSENCE OF LIFE:
* Newly expanded to include the space next door, so the beauty and cleaning products have wayyy more room to groove and you no longer have to suck in your gut/grease yourself up with butter to squeeze through the aisles.
* Staff is friendly and helpful, not to mention the owners are extremely knowledgeable about product inventory and availability, and will go out of their way to order new things for you (example: Spirutein in different flavours than what they normally carry). They also give me a 10% discount when I routinely buy them out of Genisoy protein bars in Chocolate Mint. Seriously, I buy whatever they have in stock (sometimes upwards of 50 bars) because they're so hard to find.
* They REFUSE to be undersold and the price differences are actually startling. For instance, Avalon Organics hand soap (Mint or Lemon are the ones to try) costs $4.99 here, vs. $7.99 at SDM or Big Carrot). Oregon Chai mix is $2.99 vs. $8.99 (!!) at Savoury Grounds or other cafés. Bob's Red Mill products are also cheaper here, and so are Lara Bars and Endangered Species chocolate.
They sell all sorts of stuff you'd want to buy: about 20 types of milk alternates, strange teas, herbs, bulk grains, nutritional supplements, protein powders, diva cups.Listed in: Specialty Grocery Stores in…, The Best Of Kensington Market, Best Health Food Stores
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/16/2009
Essence Of Life is one of at least four health food stores in Kensington Market, and it's the one… Read more »
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Review from Denise M.
Toronto, ON
4/18/2010 ROTD 7/28/2010
About a month ago Dallas H. and I walked out of this store with 12 cartons of oat dream for $4. Yes, it was only a few days before the the "best before" but it has all been consumed by this point and I am fine.
All the same crunchy/granola products I love from organic shampoo to pasta sauce are cheaper here than anywhere else. The staff are also super friendly and helpful.
The store is jam packed and hard to maneuver around in, but I would rather be knocking over gluten-free macaroni here than shop at "Whole Paycheck" any day. (Yes, I actually used that cliche term.) -
Review from Hana B.
7/5/2009
This was a recent discovery for me, because as a student i always expected organic food to be ridiculously expensive, and even though i lovee organic strawberries, I'd have to keep myself away from these stores for budget reasons.
NOT so anymore because of this store! Most of the items are the same price if not cheaper than at the Front St Metro, or the Rabba I usually shop at for most groceries.
I initially went in to buy lavender essential oil to make some skin products, which was only $7.99 and great quality! there was a large selection of natural, organic, and plant based and vegan toiletteries, including some from different parts of the world.
After exploring the "pharmacy" section(?) i guess. I bought some unpasturized ontario honey (nice flowery smell, tastes great!) which i filled up in a little container at the store, but its $0.25 off if you brign your own container, and it beats Billy Bee's Honey anyy day.
Also got different varieties of granola (yum!) and Chia seeds from bulk bins. I intend to return for many varieties of nut butters that they had.
I love this store, i wonder why i hadn't been sooner, and now am thinking of ditching Metro and Rabba forever! :D -
Review from Micki M.
Toronto, ON
2/11/2010
I could not believe my student budgeted eyes when I walked into Essence! I am very new to Toronto and live right by Chinatown. I had almost given up on eating organically and it seemed as though the Lucky Moose was about to have one more loyal patron. But then, one day by mistake, it happened. I turned west and saw the beautiful word "Organic" scribbled above a small storefront. I ran in and Oh Em Gee...it was meant to be.
Ok enough of the sappy stuff... Essence is a bit squishy but I'm not complaining. If their place were any bigger it would be the customers fronting the rent. So let's all just do the shuffle and get along!
Prices are great. For example, organic eggs are $4.99/doz., grain fed eggs are $3.99/doz. I litre of organic milk is $2.89. They don't sell two litre cartons though, so be warned! Organic yogurt is about $4.70 or so. Their bulk peanut butter is $1.99/lb. Organic potatoes, onions and tomatoes are also $1.99/lb. Peppers are $4.99/lb (green) and $5.99/lb (red and yellow). I think you get the point. They carry absolutely everything you would ever need in your home! The only thing they lack is a proper meat section - but there is always the Healthy Butcher for that!
Oh and they have kiwi fruits for very very cheap!!! ...In case you were wondering... -
Review from Abby R.
Toronto, ON
10/16/2009
The reason Essence of Life gets 5 stars is not because it's posh, lush, or has every single item I could ever need (altho I haven't checked that yet). It's because it's prices are SO FREAKIN GOOD!
I feel like an idiot for spending so much at the Big Carrot, Whole Foods, and Loblaws when I could just come here and get all my house and personal products here. My girlfriend told me that the Diva cup is $10 cheaper than elsewhere! My Gioavanni shampoo is $6.99 instead of $9.99. All the products we use are significantly cheaper here. How do they do that?
If Honest Ed's could own an organic shop, this would be the place (altho, without the huge, sprawled out chaos). -
Review from Lindsay S.
Toronto, ON
5/17/2010
The prices are amazing, esp for those otherwise completely over priced organic & vegan products you'd see for double the cost at other stores.
The place is cram packed with tons of organic stuff.
Lots of which isn't really healthy, but nonetheless, we all know how Toronto people love eating 'Organic' chips & chocolate.
I did notice the expanded area, that has much more household, beauty products and vit/supplement's than before. The 'room' looked new and clean, and also provided a bit more room to actually turn around, and look at the shelves and the goodies on them.
The prices can't be beat. And chances are, you'll find something new to try. That's the best part about visiting this store! -
Review from Rob B.
4/29/2009
& their neighbor, Tutti Frutti are Toronto gems. Between the two I can usually find what I want.. and both are close enough that you can do price
comparisons for the best deal. But both hold the best prices in Toronto for
health foods & vitamins. For example, Nutra Sea omega oil was $10 cheaper than a nutrition store in Dufferin Mall.
Essence also has organic produce which is dollars cheaper than the other organic market in Kensington. Great family run store!..
Be warned however, that Tutti has very poor return policy...I bought inedible stale bread and they wouldn't take it back..I've also seen quite a
few other customers try to return and even exchange stuff without success. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
12/2/2008 1 photo
Couch potatoes and fast-food junkies: you know those days where you want to pretend you're healthy? This cramped store is the go-to grocery store when you are considering one of those conscious-lifestyle overhauls.
Prices can be a bit on the higher side for products that can be found elsewhere, but it's a nice side stop to your Kensington produce run for feel-good bars, snacks, spices, frozen foods, meat replacements, and packaged organic cold cuts.
Best part of this place? Bulk peanut butters -- I'd dump my head in the bins, if I could -- and fresh help-yourself seitan! Tasty. -
Review from Susan C.
Toronto, ON
6/10/2011
Most amazing store ever. Everything is so affordable....and it's hugee!
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Review from Danielle B.
9/19/2010
This place is a gluten-free food haven with everything from organic sausage to pizza crust to cookie and mix. The store is jam packed with delicious healthy food without the pretentiousness of Whole Foods. The prices are a bit on the pricey side but you pay for quality (and real ingredients). They have household and beauty items as well so it's pretty much a one-stop shop for everything you need. Hands down the best health food store around!
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Review from Kate R.
York, ON
3/9/2011
Cheapest Dr Hauschka in the city!
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Review from Max R.
Toronto, ON
11/24/2010
I'm going to add one more vote of support to the chorus. I have been living close enough to walk to Kensington for over a year now, and since then I have only been to Loblaws a handful of times.
Essence of life has so many great products and the pricing is great. Compared to organics sections at large grocery stores, it's much better, but even compared to other specialty organic shops it comes out on top. It is usually my first stop on my grocery run (which takes me to Global Cheese, Market Bakery, Sannagan Meats and Oxford Fruit).
The only disadvantage for those who don't live close is that it's hard to park. There is a green P parking lot a couple of streets over to the west. -
Review from Jeff M.
North York, ON
10/7/2011
called to see if they had something and got told "call back later no one here", then when I went in got the same type of cold shoulder treatment at cash.
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Review from Michael U.
11/11/2009
Great shop with a huge selection and wonderful prices. Friendly service, willing to take custom orders, and not overly-stuffed and un-navigatable like some other organic/natural stores in the city.
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Review from Norman S.
5/13/2009
pretty well stocked. they even carry unda remedies from belgium.
prices are unbeatable on most items.
staff is very nice. love the chinese crew -
Review from Soopergal S.
York, ON
9/2/2011
I love this store. They have my favourite ice tea Té Organic Ice Tea and I get my diva cup there as well.
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Review from Deanna W.
6/14/2009
Pleasant health food store to do your specialty shopping in-perhaps even more so now that they've expanded and the aisles are slightly less cramped than before. They carry an excellent selection of bulk items, pastas ,sauces, produce, dairy, cleaning products-etc and the prices are decent though Tutti Frutti often will have similar items for less. Staff are always on their toes and very helpful in case you need help locating a special item or two. One of my definite pit-stops when I'm shopping in Kensington.
Listed in: Smooth Operator!-Favourite…
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Review from Tina H.
3/13/2010
Good prices for groceries. When I want the best bang for my buck I hit up this place or Tutti Frutti nearby, but the people here are nicer. Not such a great fresh produce selection but good selection of food oils, as well as cosmetic/shampoo/toiletry/etc. and cleaning products.
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Review from Antone V.
East York, ON
12/26/2011
awesome place we go here for their vitamins, supplements, hair care skin care etc... prices very good, we'll go out of our way to go here than the big name stores or any other retailers...
