Jaipur. As soon as the winter season arrives, the aroma of spicy pickles, spicy chutneys and hot dishes starts spreading in every house. These days, one stall is attracting the most crowd in the winter fairs and exhibitions of Jaipur, ‘Southern Palette’. Behind this is Mohini Jain, who came to Jaipur from Hyderabad, who made the lack of South Indian flavors her business while sitting at home after marriage. Mohini tells that in Hyderabad we used to season everything with coconut, curry leaves, tamarind and special spices. I missed that taste a lot after coming to Jaipur. First I made it for myself, then my relatives and neighbors tasted it and praised it. That’s where the seed was sown.
Started with just 5 types of spices and 2 pickles. Today he has more than 13 varieties of pickles. Which includes four of different varieties including tomato, curry, lemon, amla, red chilli, green chilli. Apart from this, there are more than 10 types of chutneys. The special thing is that all the chutneys are without onion and garlic, which is being liked very much in Jain families. Tea masala, coffee masala, chaat masala, sambar-rasam powder, biryani masala prepare different masalas for every dish.
To assure purity, he has also taken FSSAI license.
Mohini proudly says that there is neither any preservative, nor vinegar, nor any chemical color in my products. I also pack in glass jars instead of plastic so that both taste and health remain intact. When people taste their spices in a market full of adulteration, they ask for the same again. To assure purity, he has also taken FSSAI license. Sales were low in the beginning. Mohini herself started setting up stalls in Khadi Fair, Saras Fair, Shilpgram and every major exhibition of Jaipur. People tasted it, liked it and started ordering. Today their products are also sold on online platforms. One bottle is in the range of Rs 100 to Rs 300, which is cheaper and best in quality compared to the market.
Monthly turnover is in lakhs
Mohini says that now there is a turnover of lakhs every month. The biggest happiness is that sitting at home, I am self-reliant and am also raising my children well. Her message is clear that women can start small at any time, at any age. Just need courage and dedication. The world can be conquered only from the home kitchen. When you feel the aroma of hot sambar or the spiciness of lemon pickle in the Winter Fair of Jaipur, then remember that behind it is the passion of a woman, who is taking the taste of Hyderabad to every home of Rajasthan. The name is Mohini Jain and the brand is ‘Southern Palate’ which is proving that if the taste is true then the customer will come on his own.
