The idea of organic and vegan food has been around the world since long. But having been hit by the unprecedented pandemic, it is no surprise that the world, on a large scale, is undergoing a changing mindset of being more vigilant about their consumption habits and practices. India is a land of agriculture, and yet, the vegan and organic food industry has started picking up its feet only in the last few years. Things, however, are gradually steering towards a brighter future. Keeping in mind the ever-evolving consumers leaning towards vegan and organically sourced food, Bawa Group of Hotels and Anusaya Future Fresh present The Origin – a newly launched label for artisanal food and a one-stop destination for finding thoughtfully sourced food from across the world.
Located in Mumbai’s prime and buzzing shopping hub of Khar, The Origin flagship store is a haven for all food connoisseurs including those who are looking to try vegan food for the first time. The Origin offers an extraordinary culinary retail experience complete with a pantry, a special gifting section and an artful Vegan Cafe.
The Origin Retail Experience
Easy to spot on an arterial lane of Khar West in Mumbai, the store boasts tastefully designed, bright interiors and shelves filled with bakery, honey, tea, coffee, dry fruits, spices, namkeen, fresh fruits and vegetables, cold pressed fresh juices, salads and handmade pastas of which have all been handcrafted to present a unique taste of fresh, homegrown produce. Evolved from the ethos of focusing on the very elementary source of food products, The Origin’s very name explains its philosophy behind its mindfully grown and curated food from homegrown as well as international artisanal brands. Some of these brands include Belberry, AL’Olivier, Croix Verte, Vegan Deli, Friendly Vikings, Salud, Fruit Life, Just Berries and many more.
“Each and every product available at The Origin has been selected, understanding the gap in the market in the world of exotic gourmet products. Some of the brands are first time entrants in India and will be exclusively available only at The Origin,” says Mr. Dinesh Shinde, Director of Anusaya Future Fresh. The pandemic has given rise to a number of hobbies and social media is flooded with aspiring chefs, experimenting with different cuisines. The Origin’s luxury gourmet products cater to all those who wish to give their grocery list a much needed change.
With dedicated floor-to-ceiling sections named after different product categories, visitors will not be disappointed with its exhaustive collection. The Plantation displays a range of refreshing teas and coffees coupled with flavored sugar boxes to choose from. The Artisan supplies for daily bread needs, while The Heritage is all about fine dry fruits. The Hive, as the name suggests, offers a variety of honey in various flavors and allows visitors to pour fresh honey straight from the pot. The Field has kitchen staples while The Mill includes freshly ground spices. The store also has a wide selection of fruits and vegetables – Indian as well as exotic, in the O Farm section. Chocolate aficionados can head to The Cocoa Tree to find some of the best artisanal chocolates.
“Food is pivotal to our existence. What we consume, how we consume it and from where we consume from has never been more important than in today’s health and immunity conscious landscape.
In a country like India where festivities and traditions hold a high value, and where gifting rarely needs an occasion, consumers are always on the lookout for unique and luxurious gifting options that stand out from the rest of the clan. The store’s gifting section, O Amour, specializes in customizable gift hampers where one can select and curate a bespoke gift hamper from a range of artisanal chocolates, cheese, honey, dry fruits, exotic fruits, snacks and sweets, building cuisine-based hampers for every occasion using custom made packaging products and signature trimmings (wicker baskets, leather trunks & baskets, marble platters and more). “There is a lack of variety in the premium gifting space in the F&B Industry and The Origin, with its variety of gifting options, intends to solve the problem by providing an option for every occasion,” adds Mr. Shinde.
The O Cafe
Located under the store and pantry, The O Café is a culinary hideaway and The Origin’s final stop. Its alluring interiors in white marble and understated exoticism with muted tropical hues of greens and pinks perfectly aligns with the nature-based philosophy of The Origin. The O Cafe’s vegan menu is a creative take on Indian and international snacks and beverages, reinventing them with newer flavors and prepared with a range of exotic, vegan and organic ingredients.
Popular Indian Street food like ‘sev puri’ (a form of deep-fried, crunchy dumpling) takes a new meaning at The O Café and is bound to be a surprise for street food lovers looking for healthy options. Made with millet, or ragi, instead of wheat or all-purpose flour, the vegan puri is topped with mashed avocado, pomegranate seeds and spiced sev (deep-fried, thin strands made from gram flour). An invigorating grapefruit and edamame salad, vegan pizza, potato and beetroot burger and vegan meat wraps are also a part of the unique menu.
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Beverages include an array of coffees prepared in vegan milk options such as almond milk. From the scintillating blue pea to calming rose hibiscus, there is a cup of tea for every taste which will go perfectly well with the wholesome, bingeworthy snacks.
An Interactive Vegan Experience
As retail is picking up its feet in India and all over the world, The Origin offers an all-encompassing, interactive experience in premium food and beverage category. With social media encouraging people to go vegan and adapt to more sustainable means of living, The Origin’s products coupled with its retail and café experience are truly one-of-a-kind. Expertly curated with diverse range of products directly sourced from growers, the hydroponically grown herbs are most certainly the highlight of the store. The cafe, a multi-purpose space used for masterclasses and workshops, opens new avenues to vegan dining experience for new explorers as well as core epicureans who are inclined towards vegan food.
“Food is pivotal to our existence. What we consume, how we consume it and from where we consume from has never been more important than in today’s health and immunity conscious landscape. We want to bring the best to our customers without compromise – as our products and ultimately the consumer’s decisions have an equal impact on our environment,” says Vikramveer Singh Bawa of Bawa Group of Hotels.
Coordinates: 352, Off Linking Rd, Khar, Khar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400052, India
