What is Kusha Spices?
Kusha Spices is a Mumbai based startup company dealing in premium spices. Currently, the range encompasses whole and powdered spices, masala powders, ready-to-eat blends and pickles. Future expansion into related categories is being considered with the aim of eventually being an FMCG major. The company currently also offers a diverse range of corporate and festive gift boxes, centered around the ‘spices’ theme. The gift boxes are embellished with spice infused chocolates, soaps, candles and more. The Kusha Spices gift boxes have been highly appreciated by the corporates and individuals alike.
Who are the real people behind the success of Kusha Spices?
The primary driver of our business is the network of Outreach Associates, who through their vigour, enthusiasm and zeal are marketing the products throughout their social networks. This network has now spread across the country. The Outreach Associates are the ones who are helping build, sustain and enhance the growing Kusha Spices Community. We are proud of them and are constantly encouraging more and more of them to join in. We have developed this dedicated portal for our ‘Outreach Associates’ to enroll and help us grow hand-in-hand.
Why was Kusha Spices set up?
Did you know that India is the world’s largest exporter of quality spices? But ironically, while the whole world waxes eloquent about the exotic richness of Indian spices, we Indians seem to have little access to them. Local markets are replete with poor-quality branded spices. We did multiple surveys across the country and found that one aspect that causes the greatest dissatisfaction among most Indian households with regard to spices is their quality. So, where do all the good quality spices grown in India disappear? During research, we discovered that most of the quality spices are exported for higher margins. At the local level, there exists a nexus of the multi-layered distribution channel involving unscrupulous middlemen. Extraction of the active principles of the spices before their release into the markets, and/or adulteration is rampant. Different stocks are mixed. All this leads to poor quality.
After understanding the dynamics, we at Kusha Spices determined to break this chain by bringing to the customers the best of naturally grown spices, directly from the farmers through the shortest chain, thus allowing the customers to experience the exotic freshness and the rich, authentic taste; albeit at an affordable price.
Why buy Kusha Spices?
100% Natural
100% Vegetarian
0% Preservatives
0% Additives
No Container
Zip Locked Freshness
What Differentiates Kusha Spices?
01.
100% SINGLE SOURCE
At Kusha Spices our belief has been to provide consistency. So, all our spices are single source. We identify farmers who grow the spices using only natural methods and buy from them. We do not advocate mixing from different sources at all.
02.
100% NATURAL
Each and every Kusha Spice is free of chemical pesticides. Only natural fertilizers are used. The farmers who grow them intrinsically believe that use of chemicals degrades the soil and reduces its fertility in the long run.It is our endeavor to support their belief and help them achieve self-reliance.
03.
100% FROM PLACE OF ORIGIN
For centuries people have been growing spices in various pockets of our country based on a complex interplay of climate, soil type, nutritive value etc. Over a period of time this has perfected the fine composition of the spice and added finer nuances to its flavour. Today, every spice has certain regions in the country which it is famous for. Such as Erode for Turmeric, Unjha for Cumin, Guna for Coriander, Wayanad for Black Pepper and Cardamom, Idukki for Cinnamon, Guntur for Red Chilies, Shillong for Bay Leaf etc.
At Kusha Spices we endeavor to source our spices from these specialized regions. Needless to say this ensures authenticity and quality.
04.
100% DIRECTLY FROM FARMERS
Farmers rarely adulterate their own produce. Most spices are adulterated at the ‘mandis’, a practice generally adopted by the unethical middlemen. In order, to thwart this Kusha Spices buys all the spices directly from the farmers.
05.
100% Quality Assurance
Kusha Spices lays the highest stress on quality assurance. In fact, that was the reason for the genesis of the brand. We follow rigorous, well established processes in collecting, cleaning, sorting, manufacturing, packing and storage of the spices. We also conduct regular quality checks throughout the value chain and focus on continuous improvement. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond compliance, certifications and customer feedback. We are setting benchmarks for others to follow.
06.
100% Unique Packaging
One of our strong differentiators is our unique packing. The specially designed packaging features fail proof ‘zip lock technology’ that ensures the aroma and flavours of the spices are sealed in.
07.
100% Customer Satisfaction
Our hallmark motto is to ensure customer satisfaction and offer them venerable and relevant support. The dedicated customer support team at Kusha Spices is committed to promptly addressing inquiries, and concerns, and ensuring that every customer’s experience with the brand is nothing short of outstanding. All Outreach Associates get unstinted support from our Customer Relationship Management teams. Kusha Spices values customer opinions. Their feedback about our products can be found on various social media handles. We constantly evolve and modify our products and processes on the recommendations of our Outreach Associates.
Who are Our ‘Pillars of Strength’?
Kusha Spices is committed to promoting fair trade practices throughout the supply chain. By directly sourcing from farmers with no middle men involved, the brand supports their cause; And by working with only those farmers who adopt environmentally friendly methods, it creates a sustainability foot print.Some of these farmers have been in our journey through our inception. Here we salute those ‘heros’ who stood by us. And call them Our Pillars of Strength
Some of our farmer brothers whose stoic support has buttressed the Kusha Spices’ vision of providing 100% naturally grown, single source spices having the highest quality from their places of origin. By buying Kusha Spices, you are not only helping them become self-sustaining, but also in bringing a smile on their faces.
Shankar
He is from Nizamabad and grows Guntur Teja variety of chilies. His wife Varalaxmi is a maverick pickle maker. People from the whole small town come to invite her to their homes; to tutor them on the fine art of pickle making. People believe there is magic in her hands. Shankar insists that the magic is in the chili powder she uses. “We have been growing chillies for decades. We do everything ourselves, harvest the chilies, dry it in the sun and powder it. So, we assure that it is 100% pure.” Today, his chili powder is the most sought after and he is the most respected grower in the region.
ZAHID
He was born in a modest family in Pamphore of Pulwama district, the ground zero for the world’s best and most expensive saffron. He says that while the myths arouse discord, there’s one item of consensus: Kashmiri saffron is the most precious spice in the world. Its strands are thicker and more fragrant than its counterpart from Spain, Iran or Afghanistan. Though an engineer, it was still a saffron calling for him. He recounts memories of winters filled with the spice’s fragrance and palms turning golden from working with it. Even today he still prefers to do everything by hand, whether it is plucking, drying, sorting or packing. It’s not a business he says, it’s a tradition and it must be preserved.
aRUN
He is based in Idukki Kerala. A Computer Science Graduate, he left a high-profile job in a multi-national company in US to return to his hometown and start spice farming. It meant a complete change in his lifestyle, and numerous compromises, but the dream was larger and all encompassing. Today, he is well settled and is known in the region as a grower of premium quality Green Cardamom.
Suresh
He is one of our spice growers from Wayanad in Kerala. Six generations of his family have been growing spices such as black pepper, cinnamon nutmeg and mace. As a technologist he firmly believes in natural methods of farming. He allowed the plants to acquire natural resistance. Initially, he met with a lot of resistance from his family and friends; produce also dropped drastically, but he persisted.
Today he is the largest producer in his home town.