Ambuj Shukla Masale

Our little spot is Near Vishal Mega Mart in Ravindra Nagar. Even though that big store is right there, people still come to us for their masale. I think they like that they can see us working and that we sell exactly the amount they need. We don't have fancy packaging with pictures on it. We just use plain plastic bags and tie them with a bit of thread or a rubber band. The shop itself is just one room with a high ceiling. We have a couple of grinding machines in the back that we use for the turmeric and coriander. It’s always a bit loud when they are running, so we have to shout a little to hear the customers. Ravindra Nagar is a busy area, so there are always cars and bikes honking outside. We keep our spice samples in small bowls on the front counter so people can smell them. The coriander always has a strong, earthy scent. We try to keep the place organized, but with so many bags and jars, it usually looks a bit cluttered. We don't have a website or anything like that. If someone wants something, they just walk in. We spend our evenings sorting through the whole spices to pick out any small stones or sticks before we grind them. It’s slow work, but it has to be done. We usually shut the doors by 9 pm after cleaning up the floor.