EP 93: Sahithya Wintrich Brings Southern India Flavors to Everyday Foods

Let's get something straight. For the purposes of this conversation, it's "Chutni" not "chutney," ya'll! Entrepreneur Sahithya Wintrich developed her unique line of products during the pandemic. She wondered if she could bring some of the umami-packed flavors of her home country to the mainstream. The result is Chutni Punch, a trio of condiments designed to "punch up" dishes with flavors and ingredients common to Southern India cuisine. Beloved by local chefs and avid cooks, these sprinkle-on condiments have flavors of chickpeas, peanut, sesame, curry leaves, and chili peppers, all in subtly different combinations that add complexity and interest to things like eggs, avocado toast, popcorn and even some pizza or pierogi! As Sahithya explains, most Indian food we think of is different than Southern Indian cuisine. These are a great way to experiment with newer flavors on the full spectrum of Indian food. We talk about how her previous tech-oriented career helped to guide the research and development of Chutni Punch, the three flavor combinations (and I taste them!), and the holistic vision for her emerging brand. Available at many local stores or check out her new gift packaging at Chutnipunch.com. This podcast is made possible with support from Chef Douglas Katz, The Van Aken District, and Cookin Genie.