The lockdown revealed the importance of self-dependency in significant ways, be it people making their own meals on an individual level or disturbed supply chains on a global scale. There is no better time to put your hands in the ever-expanding homegrown brands pool. We have hand-picked five homegrown brands that are making all-natural top-tier products while aiding local communities and following sustainable, and fair-trade practices.

Your conscious binge
Several organic, artisanal, and bean-to-bar chocolate brands have surfaced in recent years. Pascati is the nation’s first USDA organic chocolate and a fair-trade compliant chocolate brand. They source cacao beans from farmer’s collectives in Kerala’s Idukki district and Malabar regions to produce an extensive range of chocolate bars including 77 percent Dark Malabar Hills (INR 280), Blueberry Walnut (INR 280), Rose Almond (INR 280), Guava, Chili and Sea Salt (INR 315), and Strawberry Honey (INR 315). Certified by Fairtrade India, the Mumbai-based brand impacts the livelihoods of over 2000 farmers.