The love of food, epicureans will swear, lies not just in savouring it but also in witnessing the cooking process first hand. Located 25 km from Karjat, the thick deciduous forests of Deopada, seven-feet karvanda bushes, and robust cicada songs contribute to an unforgettable experience of the Sahyadris, which make up Monks Bouffe’s monthly nature walks. 

Gaurang Motta and his older brother Saurabh founded Monks Bouffe, an organic grocery products platform, in 2016. Last year, the brothers began organising walks into the Sahyadri forest guided by Thaakar tribals, who’ve called the area home for centuries. Previously, the brothers would only take a few of their customers on these trails to show them where their products come from. “Food is very integral to each one of us,” Gaurang explains. “We wanted to connect people to its source, i.e. the land.”