Organic Butters, Jams, Dips And Spreads: A Complete Guide To Mumbai's Best Offerings

This is the longest title in the world - Sara

What’s salad without a little dressing? We’d be remiss in our lives if we didn’t have our daily accompaniments to get us by our day. A piece of toast is automatically elevated with some nutella, chips in front of a big-screen game is upped by the presence of dip, an always welcome addition to any meal time snack. And with all the options afforded to us at our local grocery store, you’d probably think you’re not missing out on the independent label front. Well consider yourself schooled, because we have an awesome list of butters, jams, dips and spreads that won’t just get you through your mornings, but get you through life. With diverse options like avocado dip, to peanutella (yes that’s a thing) to the awesomeness that is Oreo Cookie Butter, we’re sure you’re going to have a taste of heaven in just one bite. So what are you waiting for? Dig in!

DIPS

I. Kasundi Dip @ Ananya’s Big Bong Kitchen

As a published author on global cuisine, it’s safe to say that Ananya of Ananya’s Big Bong Kitchen knows her stuff. After mastering her culinary knowledge at reputed locations like Germany, Switzerland and France, she came back to India to share her talent straight from her kitchen. Her kitchen specializes in its region line which is famous for its Kashundi, Dhonepatar Achaar and Amshottor chutney. Ananya is constantly experimenting and innovating with her techniques and her best home-cooked experiment is the hot and tangy mustard dip that’s best served with cutlets or chips. The dip is made from mustard, green chillies, raw mango and garlic and is utterly delightful to say the least.

Cost: A jar of their wonderful dip costs Rs. 250

II. Fired-Up Tuna Dip @ Cold Food Company

Your home soirees wouldn’t be complete without a deli style menu serving homemade delicacies from the Cold Food Company, we can guarantee that! While you have an extensive menu to select from, each menu is designed specially based for the occasion, keeping in mind your palate and your guest’s personal preferences. Cold Food Company also makes exotic cold cuts and cheese platters on special request, but our absolute favourite accompaniment to our meals has to be the spicy tuna dip that is amazing with a side of breadsticks.

Cost: A jar of the rich spicy tuna dip will cost you Rs.465 for pure luxury

III. Creamy Sundried Tomato & Basil @ Dibs on Dips

You cannot miss a family get together or a crew hang out without Dibs on Dips. Apart from the awesome name, Dibs on Dips brings you the best freshly made dips for any emotion or any occasion. It’s made from the freshest of ingredients, so you can slay any event one dip at a time. Their rich creamy sundried tomato dip has just the slightest hint of basil and is a perfect dip to snack out on this dreamy monsoon. You can use crackers, lavash, veggies, pasta or put it into a sandwich for that perfect snack.

Cost: Grab a jar of this creamy goodness @ only Rs. 310

IV. Avocado Dip @ Flat Tummies

For the calorie conscious, there’s always Flat Tummies. Being a niche inspired healthy living concept is hard, but that doesn’t mean it’s not mouth watering! With delicacies that will let you satiate your cravings without worrying about the calories, fatty ingredients or sugar, what more could you want? Their recipes are all gluten and fat free and are perfect for vegans. Our two favourites are the healthy peanut butter with dark cocoa and their avocado dip, made fresh and delicious to have with tortillas.

Cost: You will regret it if you miss their avocado dip for Rs. 400

V. Cranberry Walnut Dip @ Saucery

Saucery firmly believes that the best food is natural, authentic and found in your own kitchen as opposed to dining out. You don’t need any fancy cutlery to enjoy their dips and spreads, which add some magic to your every day meal. Each dip is made with fresh and natural ingredients and made in specific ratios to make sure they are long lasting without the use of preservatives or chemicals. Their famous cranberry and walnut sauce is a unique combination that adds some crunch and sweetness to everything from oatmeal, to chips and salad as a dressing. Add it to roast or baked potatoes or spread it around on cold wraps to add that unique gourmet touch. This is the most versatile sauce of the bunch.

Cost: Just pure saucery (pun intended) @ Rs. 250

VI. Cashew Herb Dips @ Vegan Bites

Vegan Bites is possibly one of the most well-known vegan home delivery services available in our fair city. Samir Prasad and Raw Food Chef, Hemali Gala, have been delivery vegan meals on order to much fan fare for the past four years, with Samir having been a vegan for over 19 years. Their famed Cashew Herb Dips are perfect for vegans and non-vegans alike who would like to experiment and go out of the more generic flavours of dip.

Cost: Gotta “Cashew” em all @ 350 (Please forgive us)

VII. Cheesy Dip @ Vegan Tiffin

If your mother had an exceptional story of her cancer being reversed by veganism, you’d consider going vegan too, at least that’s the motivation that led to most of Mayavi of Vegan Tiffin’s family to go wholly vegan. Launched in early 2013, Vegan Tiffin became a healthy tiffin delivery service that provides food that is dairy, oil, gluten and sugar-free. Mayavi and her husband Shishir have created their own spin on things like their Vegan Dahi-Papdi Chaat, but their most famous experiment has to be their cheesy dip, just as you’d expect totally delicious, totally vegan and somehow still doesn’t have that weird “vegan” taste you’d be accustomed to by dairy food turned acceptable vegan.

Cost: Perfect for any huge gathering especially at the price of Rs. 250

VIII. Raw Vegan Pesto @ Yogisattva

When your company stands for “Yoga Being”, you know it’s going to celebrate fitness, health, fun and raw and plant based food. It’s just a given. Yogisattva allows you to enjoy food in its purest form and makes the calories you put in your body count. It’s indulgent yet healthy. Yogisattva is a firm believer in promoting healthy body images to society, believing that everyone can be kind to themselves on their journey to fitness. Contrary to the other names on this list, Yogisattva is a pick up service and does not offer delivery. The owner Raveena Taurani discovered raw foods through her practice of Ashtanga Yoga and trained in Bali as a chef and raw food specialist. All of her food is made with the freshest of ingredients and is nutritionally coated. It is also extremely rich in antioxidants and is completely organic, dairy-free, gluten-free and refined sugar-free. Our personal favourite is their Raw Vegan Pesto, which is a perfect addition to your pasta or dip needs.

Cost: Eat your way to health @ only Rs. 450.

BUTTERS

I. Unsalted Peanut Butter @ Monster Foods

Monstrous amounts of energy was put into creating modern foods, without it we wouldn’t have such a committed high quality provider of food and beverage. Their unsalted peanut butter is made from nuts like almonds, peanuts and hazelnuts and give you the smoothest consistency when applying it over break. It’s also packed with nutrients like iron, magnesium, calcium, vitamin E, and potassium. You can use it as a spread, a dip with fruits or add it to dishes, soups and salads for a creamy rich texture. It’s even good just right out of the jar.

Cost: It’s a total steal @ Rs. 190

II. Oreo Cookie Butter @ That Food Company

That Food Company believes that they can connect to people through food, and they can’t be more right especially considering they’ve taken the genius invention of an Oreo and made it into an Oreo Cookie Butter. Their food satisfies more than just hunger, but satisfies the soul and any potential craving you could have.

Cost: @ Rs. 299 you’d be wrong to not pick one of this up for your household, everyone would be grateful

III. Bare Almond Butter @ The Butternut Co.

The Butternut Co. is your first stop if you’re looking for organic natural tasting butter using only the finest ingredients from across the country. Each one is handcrafted without any preservatives and no added sugar. Everything is oil-free and contains flavours as diverse as almond, peanut, cashew and more.

Cost: Their butter is definitely better @ Rs. 450

SPREADS

I. Vegan Choco Peanut Spread @ Flat Tummies

Flat Tummies is a niche inspired healthy living concept that promises mouth-watering delicacies that satiate your taste buds without letting your mind wander to calories, fatty substances or sugar control. Their recipes are gluten free, fat free and we offer a wide variety of scrumptious delights for the vegan heart as well. Their vegan choco-peanut spread will have you going gaga for breakfast an they’re also perfect to mix into smoothies.

Cost: Peanut butter and chocolate bliss can be found @ Rs. 350

II. Mushroom Pepper Spread @ Saucery

As we’ve already mentioned the wonders of Saucery, we won’t get into that again, except to tell you that if you’re a fan of savoury spreads over the general chocolate variety, you have to try their mushroom pepper spread. This creamy wonder of earthy, fresh mushrooms and herbs enhanced with roasted black peppers will improve the texture and taste of any meal. Toss it with pasta or use it as a filling in lasagna, tarts, or canapes. Spread it in your sandwich, burger or wrap. Use it as a sauce for bruschetta, quesadillas, or crepes. Or keep it simple and serve it with warm bread. Either way, it’s a versatile spread that you cannot miss.

Cost: We know we have ‘mushroom’ for this delight @ Rs.250

III. Peanutella @ The Picnik Basket

Barely 14 months after she launched her homemade “jars of joy”, Rashi of The Picnik Basket is creating waves with her in house Peanutella. That’s right kids, it’s just some folded dark chocolate put in their in-house peanut butter to give you a spread that’s more addictive than you can possibly imagine. The consistency and quality of their Peanutella is amazing and even people who aren’t the biggest fans of peanut butter won’t be able to resist one lick.

Cost: A little steep @ Rs. 330 but totally worth every last drop left in the jar.

JAMS

I. Mixed Fruit Jam @ Flat Tummies

Presenting Flat Tummies, a niche` inspired healthy living concept that promises mouth-watering delicacies that satiate your taste buds without letting you worry about calories, fattening ingredients and sugar control. Their recipes are gluten free, fat free and they offer a wide variety of scrumptious delights for the vegan heart, especially their mixed fruit jam, which is perfect to kickstart your days.

Cost: As they say, just a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down @ Rs. 300

II. Banana Rum Jam @ Leijon Kitchen

It took writing this article for this writer to realise that sugar could sometimes contain sulphur. Thankfully, Radhika Mathur has worked around this by carrying a range of jams that are made with suphur-free sugar, a sprinkle of spices like nutmeg and cinnamon (although this depends on the jam flavour) and vanilla essence. For her jam, she skips the vodka and opts for dark rum as she thinks that vodka doesn’t have flavour. We salute her for this endeavour because if there’s anything that can improve jam it’s alcohol. Their Banana Rum Jam is, quite literally, THE JAM.

Cost: Get your rum on @ Rs. 250

III. The OMG Bacon Jam @ Life Ki Recipe

OMG it’s bacon in jam everyone! And with a brand name like “Life Ki Recipe” are we really surprised that people aren’t already taking this to be the antidote to life? All bacon lovers will rejoice at this new revelation as Life Ki Recipe was originally vegetarian but moved on to add this one exception as it was a real money spinner. The popularity of this product has led to its brother, the Bacon Butter. If you do buy this, we suggest you scarf it down in a week or refrigerate it for a bit longer, though we’re sure you’ll go to town on it on day one itself.

Cost: OMG How can you resist @ Rs. 350

IV. Raw Mango Chilli Jam @ Mamakutti

Kalpana Kutty and Mallyeka Watsa of Mamakutti, have fashioned themselves as the Indian versions of Gloria and Claire from Modern Family. Both are obsessed with eating, Kalpana giving up her long-time career in production to intern at The Table; and Mallyeka, granddaughter of India’s first cookbook writer Premila Lal, armed with a diploma from the famous Ferrandi French School of Culinary Arts in Paris. At Mamakutti, the duo bottles up spice rubs and sauces, selling them in pretty, fabric-topped jars. We’re especially a fan of the raw mango chilli, which is perfect on bread or on anything really.

Cost: Raw Mango Chilli YUM @ Rs. 400

V. Apple Chilli and Date Jam @ Sustenance

The Sustenance believes in a sustainable business practice and source the finest ingredients which are the most consciously grown produce from small holdings and farms. Their food is made in small batches or to order, and is about the mastery of the chosen craft to feed and sustain not only our bodies but also our community. They also create exclusive edible gifts, tailored to individual preferences. They are also famed for their other products like their Granola, Organic Coffee,Tea Breads, Preserves & Biscotti. Try their Apple Chilli and Date Jam, which will provide the right “sustenance” to fuel your arduous day ahead.

Cost: Sustain yourself on this @ Rs. 450

VI. Classic Strawberry Jam @ The Gourmet Box

You really can’t mess up a classic strawberry jam, it’s like making vanilla icecream! There’s really no strategy but if you mess it up then you have got to be the worst cook. The Gourmet Box understands this and works hard to sell exquisite, handpicked gourmet foods products in India. Apart from being a well stocked online platform, they also provide prompt service and delivery, various payment methods and unmatched variety. They launched a one of its kind food subscription system that allows you to taste and sample selected quality products on a monthly basis.

Cost: Stick to the old classics @ Rs. 275

Words: Divija Mohan

Research: Meharrunisa Sahib