Spice Girls 2.0: How Four Women Are Redefining the Taste of Trust

From spice jar to sun-dried crisps

Sridevi — mother of two and now a grandmother — has always seen cooking as an act of health, love, and tradition. From her daughters’ childhood to the present day, her home has been filled with wholesome, from-scratch meals.

Her kitchen shelves are lined with jars of freshly ground blends — chilli powder, rasam, sambar, vangibath, bisebelabath, chaat masala, podi chutney, vellullipai podi, sonti podi — each with its own memory. “When my daughter became a new mother, I reached for time-honoured remedies: vellullipai podi for warmth, sonti coffee for comfort, and nourishing powders to aid recovery. Some recipes are non-negotiable, like my signature Rayalaseema podi chutney — sesame, urad dal, coconut, and chillies, roasted and ground to perfection, served alongside idli, dosa, chapati, or rice.”

Summertime is vadiyalu season in her household — a family affair of preparing sun-dried crisps.

She also makes pindivantalu like bakshalu, ariselu, karjikayalu, gavvalu, poornalu and many more.... different types of puliharalu, pongali, daddojanam.

“Every ingredient I use comes from trusted organic sources — no chemicals, no shortcuts.” For Sridevi, these recipes are more than food; they are heritage on a plate, made to nourish the body and warm the heart.

For me, cooking has always been about health, love, and tradition. Every jar in my kitchen holds a story — and a promise of purity. No chemicals, no shortcuts — only the care that comes from cooking for family.”

Sridevi Aremanda of Sreshtam

A pinch of passion, a spoonful of tradition

For Sarika Singhvee, spices aren’t just ingredients — they’re the heartbeats of her kitchen, the silent storytellers behind every family meal. With an instinct for flavour and a gift for creative twists, she can transform the simplest recipe into a memorable experience.

From the zing of pav bhaji masala to the comforting warmth of chai masala, from the fiery punch of Kolhapuri blends to the aromatic depth of biryani seasoning — her spice box is a journey across India’s culinary map. Other crowd favourites include chaat, tikka, tandoori, kebab, rajma, and even the lesser-found thepla masala.

What sets Sarini apart is not just variety, but purity. Every blend is freshly hand-pounded at home, with absolutely no chemicals or preservatives — just honest, time-honoured flavours crafted for the love of good food. It only proves passion, tradition, and a pinch of creativity can turn a humble masala into a powerful business idea.

In my kitchen, spices aren’t just flavours — they’re the quiet storytellers of our family’s meals.”

Sarika Singivee, home baker and founder of Lefournil and Sarini

Bringing grandma’s kitchen back to your table

When a doctor and mother couldn’t trust what was on the shelves, she turned to the recipes she grew up with. That choice sparked Ammamma & Co. — a homegrown venture delivering pure, preservative-free flavours inspired by her grandmother’s kitchen.

“As a doctor, I’ve always been mindful of what goes on my family’s plate. My grandmother made every spice blend, chilli powder, pickle, and snack at home — but over time, packaged foods became the easy choice. When I became a mother, I worried about what I was feeding my four-year-old.”

Were store-bought products ultra-processed? Full of additives or artificial colours?

“That concern sent me back to my roots. I began making spice powders, flours, and snacks at home, just as my grandmother once did. Soon, I realised many other mothers shared the same doubts.”

Named in honour of her grandmother and inspired by her cherished recipes—with the support of her aunt—Dr Jushitha prepares everything at home. “Free from chemicals and preservatives, ensuring the same care and freshness our family enjoys. Balancing home cooking with a full-time medical career isn’t easy, but the thought of bringing safe, wholesome food to other families makes every late night worthwhile.”

When I couldn’t trust what was on the shelves, I turned to the recipes I grew up with. For me, Ammamma & Co. isn’t just a business — it’s a way of bringing the warmth of homemade goodness back into modern kitchens.”

Dr Jushitha, physician & diabetes specialist and founder Ammamma & Co

From soil to soul

Agripreneur Preethi Surathu has carved a niche in the premium natural products market by taking some of India’s most prized ingredients to international buyers. Her range includes lemongrass, bamboo shoots, Lakadong turmeric, black turmeric, and black ginger—each cultivated and processed with a strict focus on authenticity and quality.

By sourcing directly from trusted growers and ensuring careful post-harvest handling, she is not only delivering nature’s best to the world but also building sustainable livelihoods for farming communities back home.

From soil to soul — naturally isn’t just a tagline; it’s a promise that every product carries the purity of the land and the care of the people who nurture it.”

Preethi Surathu, Agriprenure and founder Preethi Global