Dinesh Masala Products

If you walk toward the Surajpole Paharganj corner, you’ll probably smell our place before you see it. We are right at Corner 1. It’s a dusty, busy part of the city, and we fit right in. We spend our days surrounded by big sacks of chilies, turmeric, and coriander. The air is always a bit spicy, which makes some people sneeze when they first walk in, but we don’t even notice it anymore. We grind the spices right here. It’s noisy work, and the machines have been with us for years. They need a bit of oiling and care, but they do the job. We don’t put any fancy labels or do big advertising. Most of our customers are locals who have been buying from us since their parents were young. They know what they’re getting. We weigh everything out on the scales, pack it in simple bags, and that’s it. Sometimes the supply of raw spices is a bit slow, or the weather makes things difficult, but we manage. The shop isn't very large, so it’s mostly filled with the products. There’s a small wooden desk where we handle the cash and keep the books. It’s a traditional way of doing things, and we haven't felt the need to change it much. It’s hard work, especially in the heat, but it’s what we do for the people around Surajpole who need real spices.