Food & Dining: This Small Indian State Makes a Big Health Impact
In their quest to stay healthy, two Atlanta-based friends started a superfoods enterprise that brings Meghalaya’s single origin spices to the U.S.
[Left] Long-time friends Malvika Mohan and Ushma Patel are now entrepreneurs in the booming wellness and health industry.
Many of us look at the new year as a clean slate to make new resolutions, begin lifestyle changes, and reset our goals. One of the things we all strive for is good health. We exchange ideas with friends and family members and talk about the latest trends in healthy living, new sources of information, and tried and true supplements. But how many of us are inspired by these casual conversations to start our health-based businesses?
Conversations in the park spark an enterprise
Metro Atlanta-based Malvika Mohan and Ushma Patel, who have been friends for two decades, had several heart-to-heart chats during the COVID-19 lockdown. In April 2023, while their families were having a picnic at the Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park, they were casually throwing around ideas about how to live more healthily. Both had been suffering from personal ailments and were looking to find natural and easy ways to improve their health after a series of doctors weren’t able to find the right cure. As they were getting into their 40s, they also wanted to age well and avoid future illnesses. They felt that there needed to be an easier way to incorporate nutrients.
Mohan, a Mumbai native, says, “We figured spices could be the solution because everyone uses them even though they may have different diets.” Her family is vegetarian and outdoorsy. Patel, born in Gujarat, follows a protein-rich, non-vegetarian diet. She enjoys hiking occasionally, but her family is more into going to the gym.
A sales professional at the time, Mohan started researching and, through friends of friends, found a generational family farm back in India that grew superfoods using traditional farming techniques. She immediately reached out to the farm owner and ordered samples, intending to start a boutique superfood business promoting preventative health and wellness.
They first tried these products themselves for about nine months. “We noticed instant benefits! Our family was not getting sick as often, and even when we did get sick, we recovered faster. The kids no longer had to stay out of school!” says Mohan. The two women were convinced that they needed to introduce these superfoods to consumers in the U.S. Despite juggling full-time jobs, kids, and busy schedules, they started Humble Origin Superfoods by testing the concept with friends and family.
With her marketing background, Patel applied her knowledge to establish a brand name. She says, “Finding a name was harder than naming our children! We wanted something that represents while also tapping into our own traditions and culture . Humble stands for a pure and simple lifestyle, and Origin means going back to the earth and nature.”
In June 2024, Humble Origin Superfoods officially launched its online retail store with only five products that it felt consumers would find easy to use and beneficial. The spices are grown and packed in India and arrive in eco-friendly rice paper bags and jars, as well as refillable compostable bags. They are also sold at farmers’ and wellness markets around Georgia.
[Right] The duo’s boutique superfood business sources their products from Meghalaya, the Indian state famous for its Lakadong Turmeric, Makhir Ginger, and many other spices. (Photo: Credit Ushma Patel)
Patel’s grandmother constantly gave her home remedies like haldi-doodh and honey-ginger tea but never explained the science behind them. As Patel started investigating the facts about nutrition and the benefits of some commonly known ingredients, she was surprised by what she found. It was not easy to find high-potency, single origin spices in metro Atlanta. Most people buy one of a handful of commercial brands sold at Indo-Pak grocery stores. But these are often of lower grade and are not sustainably grown or ethically sourced. For example, she found that the curcumin content in most turmeric was around 2-3 percent, but the Lakadong turmeric sourced from her supplier in Meghalaya, India, has 7-12 percent. Curcumin is a popular anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and digestive aid.
Meghalaya: The land of spices
The enterprising duo found out that Meghalaya's rich biodiversity creates ideal conditions for growing high-quality spices. This region of India is known for its superfoods and spices, including Lakadong Turmeric, Makhir Ginger, Black Sesame, Wild Long Black Pepper, Chili, Cinnamon, and Black Large Cardamom. It has a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag, which means only turmeric grown in this region can be sold as “Lakadong Turmeric.” It also helps preserve and protect local farming practices. The Lakadong Turmeric found in the Jaintia Hills is one of the finest and oldest varieties of turmeric.
In 2020, Meghalaya tribal farmer Trinity Saioo received the highest civilian honor, a Padma Shri award, for spearheading the women-led turmeric farming movement in the state, which has allowed female farmers to triple their income.
The state is also popular for Meghalaya black pepper, which is rich and robust with a color that is dark brown to black. Many medicinal properties can be found in Makhir ginger, which is found in the northeastern regions of India. It has a higher content of an active compound called gingerol, which gives ginger all its healing properties and makes it great for medicinal and culinary use.
The people in Meghalaya claim that they rarely go to a doctor because they consume these superfoods in their daily diets.
Commitment to sustainability
Sustainability and commitment to the planet has been the core mission for Mohan and Patel since the beginning. Humble Origins carefully sources hand-harvested and minimally-processed products from small farmers, promoting sustainability and fair-trade practices to minimize environmental footprint. Most farms in Meghalaya are run with the traditional knowledge and ethical farming practices that have been passed on through generations. The products can help you cultivate a healthier lifestyle while supporting the planet—one nourishing bite at a time.
[Left] The “spicewallis” with their spouses at a Chai Box Mela event. (Photo: Rayna Patel)
Easy changes, long-term benefits
Mohan and Patel believe in making easy, adaptable changes that fit all dietary preferences and culinary interests. They recommend making these five small, mindful changes to get started with your health and wellness goals in the new year.
- Start your day with superfood-infused beverages: Adding Healing Lakadong Turmeric or Balancing Makhir Ginger to your morning tea or latte can provide natural anti-inflammatory benefits and set a positive tone for the day. Humble also offers a potent shot of an immunity-boosting medley that you can consume with water, honey, and coconut oil. Alternately, use this potent turmeric to flavor hummus, tea, rice, and curries.
- Add Wild Warm Long Pepper to your meals: A powerful alternative to regular pepper, this unique spice enhances flavor while offering digestive and immune-boosting properties. Use it in spice blends, marinades, curries, soups, or wherever you would normally use pepper.
- Snack smart with Perilla Pearls: Packed with essential fatty acids and antioxidants, these nutrient-rich seeds make a satisfying, heart-healthy snack, promoting longevity and wellness. Incorporate the nutty, mild seeds in smoothies, salads, and baked goods; or use them as a topping on yogurts and soups.
- Switch to simple, clean ingredients: When buying spices and supplements, look for ones that are sustainably sourced and free from artificial additives. Minimally processed ingredients usually contain more nutrients, a distinct aroma, and preserved natural oils.
- Be consistent: Cultivating a healthier lifestyle takes time. You can expect results in as little as 3-4 weeks provided that you follow the nutrient-dense regimen every day.
Malvika Mohan and Ushma Patel have learned a lot along this journey of finding the best quality superfoods on the planet and creating a small-scale business. This year, they plan to expand sales to health food stores and fitness centers. They also plan to take a trip to Meghalaya and add more products to their offerings.
Sucheta Rawal is an award-winning food and travel writer who has traveled to over 100 countries across seven continents, experiencing the world through her palate. She has been named one of the most influential cultural bloggers in the world for her blog Go Eat Give. Find her on social @SuchetaRawal.
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