Sashi Bahuguna Raturi’s Namakwali is a brand that aims to preserve and showcase the traditional food and culture of Uttarakhand, a state known for its unique cuisine and culinary practices. Sashi’s love for the local cuisine and her desire to promote it to a wider audience led her to start Namakwali, with the intention of bringing the region’s age-old recipes to people across the country and beyond.
One of the most iconic products offered by Namakwali is pisyu loon, a type of Himalayan salt infused with various herbs and spices. The salt is made using traditional grinding slabs called sil-batta, which have been used for generations in the region. The process of making pisyu loon involves grinding together rock salt, fresh herbs, and spices, which are then left to dry and mature, resulting in a unique and flavourful salt.
Namakwali’s pisyu loon salt comes in various flavours such as ginger, garlic, hemp, and more. Each flavour has a distinct taste and aroma, making them ideal for adding flavour to a wide range of dishes, from simple lentil soups to complex meat curries.
Aside from its taste and versatility, pisyu loon is also considered a survival food in Uttarakhand. During the winter months when fresh vegetables are scarce, people rely on flavoured salt to add flavour to their meals and supplement their diets with essential minerals and nutrients.
Namakwali’s success has also helped empower women in the region. Sashi employs 10-11 women who are responsible for producing the salt, and they have been able to earn a decent income by working from home. These women handpick the ingredients from the foothills, grind the salt in their traditional sil-battas while singing traditional songs and enjoying each other’s company, and then package and ship the salt to customers across the country.
Namakwali’s flavoured salts have become increasingly popular in recent years, with customers from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and other cities regularly ordering the products. The brand’s garlic-flavoured salt and authentic mix-flavoured salt are among the bestsellers, with customers praising the unique taste and aroma of the products.
Namakwali’s efforts to preserve the food and culture of Uttarakhand while empowering women in the region have been truly admirable. With their range of delicious and unique flavoured salts, Namakwali is playing an important role in promoting and preserving the culinary traditions of the region, and their success is a testament to the value of preserving traditional food practices in a rapidly changing world.
