Blogs and Recipes

History of Mango Pickle Mango pickle reminds me of my “Nani ka Ghar” (my mom’s maternal home). I come from the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, and every summer, when we visited her, she would serve this amazing mango pickle, also called keri lonche, with Jowar Bhakri (millet chapati) along with Peetla (a famous Maharashtrian curry made with besan, or gram flour). I always cherished the pickle, and its taste resonated with my grandmother’s love. My grandmother’s mango pickle was made using groundnut oil, black mustard seeds, and yellow mustard seeds. I am not sure what her secret ingredients were, but...

Pickles—those tangy, spicy, and sometimes fiery delights—have been adding flavor and zest to our meals for centuries. In the age of online shopping, however, picking the right pickle can be as tricky as avoiding spoilers for your favorite show. If you've ever ordered a pickle online only to receive a soggy mess that tastes like regret, fear not—we've got you covered. Whether you're a regional pickle enthusiast searching for authentic homemade achar or a health-conscious foodie on the lookout for a guilt-free indulgence, this guide will help you navigate the vast world of online pickles without any unpleasant surprises. So...

Making pickles at home has become a tradition passed down through generations. Dadis and Nanis have been making pickles for years that are often enjoyed all round the year. Since pickles can be stored for long periods, an important question arises: Can pickles be stored in plastic containers? A few months back, my Nani was preparing pickles and she couldn’t find enough glass jars to store them. She found an empty plastic container from a pickle brand named “Farm Didi" and thought if it would be safe to store her homemade pickles in it but then she decided to go...

Indian summers are incomplete without mangoes, when the summer sun starts to shine bright we look forward to the arrival of mango season. Such is the allure of mangoes in India that, despite their seasonal availability, they are revered as the king of fruits. We have a long and rich history of mango cultivation that dates back to over 4000 years, mangoes and mango pickle (aam ka achar) have also been mentioned in ancient Indian scriptures. Today India is not only the largest consumer of mangoes but also a major exporter of mangoes. The diversity of culture and traditions across...

Kathal Ka Achar: Tradition and Flavor in the Spotlight “Kathal”, a movie released in 2023 not only entertained its audience but also managed to put kathal(Jackfruit) in the spotlight in an unexpectedly delicious way. A particular scene that stood out was the one where Kathal was so vividly described that you could almost savour its rich, spiced flavour through the screen. The reference of “Kathal ka achar” (Jackfruit Pickle), made many curious about jackfruit pickle while reminding others of their childhood days, bringing back the memories of enjoying homemade jackfruit achar the traditional way. Kathal Ka Achar: Taste, Tradition, and...

Journey of chillis to becoming a staple in Indian cuisine It is interesting to note that the different varieties of chillis that are found in spice mix of Indian cuisine and are a significant part of Indian culinary experience were introduced to us a few hundred years ago through Columbian trade exchange. Since then chillis have been localised, with different varieties growing in different regions, giving us the opportunity to experiment and integrate them in our cuisine in different preparations.  One such popular preparation is stuffed red chilli pickle also locally known as Banarasi Lal Bharwamirch. This Banarasi red chilli...