Flavours Of Kerala

Out here in Poochackal, near Alleppey, the air always feels a bit thick with the salt from the water and the smell of the trees. We set up Flavours Of Kerala in Chirackal because it’s where we grew up. It’s a simple place with a lot of shelves and some old wooden tables we’ve had forever. We spend a lot of time drying things out in the sun when the weather stays clear. Dealing with the monsoon is the hardest part because everything stays damp for weeks. We just try to keep the stock dry and the shop clean. People around here know us by name, which is how we like it. We aren't trying to be some massive company. We just pack what we have and make sure it gets to the post office on time. Sometimes the shipments are late because the roads get blocked, but we just deal with it as it comes. My brother helps with the heavy crates, and my cousin handles the bookkeeping in a messy ledger. It isn't perfect, but the work gets done eventually. We use the same methods our parents showed us years ago. There is no secret to it, just putting in the hours and making sure the quality is okay. If you come by, you'll probably find us sitting on the porch during the lunch break or drinking tea behind the counter.