When there's too much noise the good stuff just drowns out. This is one way to explain what happened to traditional Indian ingredients that honestly deserve as much hype as the pastas and pizzas of the world. A silver lining though has been brands like Swadeshee Foods that are bringing back the good 'ol stuff, albeit as superfoods.
Nearly five years old, Swadeshee Foods is Sashi's effort to put marginal farmers on the map and her way of celebrating the foods she grew up eating. She began with sourcing millets from farmers of her native town in Karnataka. She then slowly introduced other organic foods and formed an association with farmers across India. Today, Swadeshee Foods procures all organic unpolished millets, five kinds -- Foxtail, Browntop, Kodo, Little and Barnyard Millet from The Millet Man Of India, Mr Khadar. Ms Sashi also puts up recipes on how to use them in daily meals, from doses, idlis to pulaos and modaks. FYI, these grains are packed full of protein (more than rice or wheat) and are vegan and gluten free.
She also works with women from marginal communities in Assam to process Virgin and Cold Pressed Coconut Oil, and Brown Rice. Her latest addition is Lakadong Ginger & Turmeric Powder (highest curcumin content) where she works with Trinity Saioo, the Agriculturist who spearheaded the women-led turmeric farming movement in Meghalaya.
Prices are kept in reach with enough margin to pay the hard work these farmers put it. The millets start at INR 170 per kilo while the Lakadong Spices start at INR 1,200.
