Swathy and Sky

Disclaimers: This is not a brand endorsements or even for that matter a review. I am just recommending a brand which I found useful and beneficial for me. I was not sent any samples for reviews. Rather, I bought the products from nearby supermarket, Spencers. And, I am not compensated to write this post. The views and experience is entirely mine.

I have recently seen a huge increase in the people going for Olive Oils and other products which are deemed to be good for body but not produced in India. Thus, we have to rely on the international companies and buy what we get. But, as I pointed out in one of my posts, even the most famous and popular of the brands sell adulterated olive oil labeling it to be Extra-Virgin. You can read the article here. So, how much would you like to compromise on the quality? If you ask me, I would prefer to go for products produced in India so that at least I am able to distinguish between the qualities.

So, I would like to introduce you to one of the first food organic company of India – 24 Letter Mantra. First, let me talk about its certifications. The company is registered with US FDA and is certified from USDA Organic, India Organic and Control Union. You would find their symbols on the products and the license numbers are also give in its site. And, has various process and quality certifications of ISO 9001 and 22000 among others. The products range from all fruits and vegetables to spices and bakery. I have not yet had a chance to visit its retail store. Once I visit it, I would surely report back. Unfortunately, it has only two retail stores across India – Hyderabad and Pune and has partner stores across the main towns across the country. Its website provides the requisite information. The one thing which struck me was that it does not label everything to be organic. For instance, it labels the raisins (kismis) ‘Natural’. And, makes a clear cut distinction among its ‘Organic’ and ‘Natural’ products. It claims most of its products to be organic.

I have had a chance to use many of its products including spices, dry fruits and vegetable oils. The vegetable or cooking oils are all cold pressed and organic. It has five oils: Safflower, Coconut, Mustard, Peanut / Groundnut and Sesame Oil. I had a chance to use Mustard oil till July. The duration for safe usage of the oil was just 9 months. Same goes for the Groundnut oil. The texture of the oils are rough and the taste is harsh on the mouth specially for the Groundnut oil which makes it pretty clear that it has undergone minimum processing. I applied the oil on my hair too and I can definitely say that the result was better than the commercial oils I have used. Both mustard oil and groundnut oil cost 200 INR for 1 liter bottle. In case of spices and dry fruits, most of the spices are good to use for only 4-6 months. Some of the packed are usable for a year but not more.  And, the cost is reasonable. The packaging is neat and clean.

Update: So, recently, I  bought a jar of honey of the same brand. The jar is labeled ‘organic’. The ingredients list contains only honey. When I opened the jar, I was immediately repulsed by the smell of honey and I was happy!!
You see contrary to the widely held belief that honey is very aromatic, the smell is unusual and takes getting used to. I know this because some years before I had a bottle of honey straight from the beehive when a certain beehive was burnt in my locality. So, I know what a real honey tastes like. (I consider myself lucky for that.) Real Honey is pale yellow in color (actually that might vary because of the quality of flowers on which the bees have fed and other environmental factors) and is extremely thin in consistency as opposed to the thick ones available in the market. It is not even that sweet as much as the market honey is made to be. This happened in 2006 or 2007. And, I am never likely to forget the smell and taste.
Coming back to the product which I bought, it is touted to be ‘Himlayan Multiflower Honey’. I do not know how much truth is in that. But, at least the consistency of the honey is thinner than others and smells foul. Regarding the taste, I can say it tastes tad sweeter than the one I tasted long ago but I think that again varies on the flowers fed upon by the bees and environmental factors. The color is almost like Dabur Honey. The price of the jar is 115 INR for 300 gms. And, the expiry period is after 12 months from the date of manufacture.
I do have my own reservations on the product but the fact that it is organic and smells foul and is thinner in consistency wins the argument and I would say that this product is worth a try. The fact that it is USDA certified Organic makes it better for me. I have already posted on how chemically treated honey is poisonous for our body.

So, in case you get a chance to try out these products, I would recommend you to. And, if you are already using these products, I encourage you to share your views and experiences.