Today we’d like to introduce you to Sahithya Wintrich.
Hi Sahithya, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I think of my childhood in Bengaluru, India, my most vivid memories are of food. I fondly remember buying spices from burlap sacks at corner shops, choosing the perfect mango at open-air markets and savoring freshly fried fritters and chai while huddled against the monsoon rains. I also reminisce of a homemade seasoning powder called chutney podi (powder) that my family put on everything. Whether sprinkled on rice for a quick flavor hit or mixed with oil to make an easy dip, chutney podi was the secret ingredient of my childhood. The meals changed but my need to add bursts of Indian flavor to my food did not.
Years later, as I raised her family in the USA, I introduced my children to the Indian flavors of my youth. I found myself sprinkling these seasonings on my family’s plates at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Then one day over breakfast, it occurred to me that the chutney podis of my childhood were versatile enough to add depth and flavor to any food. And… KAPOW! CHUTNI PUNCH! was born!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Our mission is to help people eat more foods that contribute their well being by making their food effortlessly delicious!
The biggest challenge we have with Chutni Punch is helping people understand how easy it is to flavor foods with. Our seasoning line is based on family recipes from Southern India. What makes them unique is that they are a combination of pre-toasted lentils, seeds and spices that easily add a burst of flavor to anything from eggs, potatoes, pasta, salads, vegetables and more.
Once people try our shelf-stable seasonings, they understand how versatile they are, easy they are use with zero cooking required and how tasty our seasonings make bland foods taste great!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We believe that “Good food” is about more than just taste. It’s about doing right by our customers, employees, communities, and the world around us. CHUTNI PUNCH! is made from ingredients grown in nature, sourced as locally and sustainably as possible, from producers who feel the same way about people and the planet as she does. Our flax seeds come from local Ohio farms; curry leaves from a farm in California; peanuts from a local family farm in Texas; and sea salt from the West Coast.
We also strives to ensure that the packaging we uses for CHUTNI PUNCH is sustainable and recyclable. Everything from recycled cardboard and paper labels to sealing shrink bands that are made from biodegradable cellulose.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Starting a business can be daunting. Here are a few things that helped me when I first launched and continue to help me along the way.
You don’t need to have all the answers and know everything upfront. Learning and growing is an ongoing process and as long as you have someone you can reach out to who can help you get answers, you will be okay. When you first launch, validating your idea and product or service is very important to make sure you have product market fit. Ask people to try what you are trying to create and for feedback. You don’t need focus groups right away, ask a friend, neighbor, anyone. People love to help others who are building something. Get to know people and be genuinely interested in them. Understanding what makes people tick will help you help them. And finally, don’t be afraid to walk up to a total stranger and strike up a conversation, even if they are a celebrity!
Pricing:
- $12-39
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chutnipunch.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/chutnipunch
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/chutnipunch
