The pandemic has taught us one important lesson—to take stock of what truly matters and be supportive. So why not extend that support to a local food brand? After all, going local does have its perks. Don’t believe us? Perhaps these reasons might just help change your mind:
1. Choosing to go with local products guarantees better flavour as these brands cater to Indian palates.
2. Opting to buy a certain product from a local label means you’re supporting local businesses, and in turn, supporting your country’s economy.
3. Going local is safer for the environment as it helps protect farmlands, or local open spaces.
4. More importantly, choosing a homegrown brand can help you better understand the ingredients used, and how the raw materials were sourced.
Now,, if you’re wondering which brand you’d like to try out first, here are some of our recommendations:
For your spice haul, try Devbhoomi
If you’re looking to buy a variety of spices—either whole or powdered—this Uttarakhand-based company will cater to your needs. The company is owned by spice farmers and producers, who are primarily rural women from remote villages in the upper Himalayan region.
For your cheese cravings, try The Cheese Collective
Mumbai-based fromager, Mansi Jesani’s assortment of cheeses will take your understanding of flavour to a whole new level. They offer fresh chevre rolled in dried herbs, lemon zest, or red chilli flakes as well as curate cheese from cheese makers across India.
For your coffee fix, try Araku Coffee
The Araku valley in Andhra Pradesh is producing award-winning gourmet coffee, thanks to the hard work of the Naandi Foundation. Araku Coffee grows beans across 25,000 acres of land in the Araku valley, and produces blends such as microclimate, signature, selection, and grand reserve.
For your sweet tooth, try Mason & Co
In 2014, Jane Mason and Fabien Bontems founded the Puducherry-based company with the idea of making quality organic bean-to-bar chocolate a reality. The company sources its organic cacao beans from farmers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and their chocolate making is executed by an all-woman assembly line in their factory in Auroville.
For gut health, try Mo’s Kefir
A healthy gut is key to a healthy lifestyle and Chef Moina Oberoi’s Mo’s Kefir is a fermented milk drink that helps keep the body healthy by protecting against indigestion, inflammation, and nerve problems. Founded in 2015, this Mumbai-based company has given many people the right start to their day.