The Story of JhaJi: From Our Kitchen to Yours
From a small courtyard in Darbhanga to tables across India, our journey is built on traditional recipes, local ingredients, and the dedication of women from our village.
Our journey started from our home's aangan (courtyard). After appearing on Shark Tank India, the love we received from all over the country was overwhelming. With the support of Namita and Vineeta, we established our Annapoorna Kitchen Factory, where today over 70 women work with us to bring you the taste of home.
For years, I was a housewife, and there was always a feeling that I should do something for myself. The appreciation I received for my pickles gave me the confidence to start JhaJi Store. It is the story of our nanad-bhabhi jodi from Darbhanga, bringing our family's recipes to you.
From starting in my home to speaking at the World Food India Industry Round Table Meet, the journey has been incredible. My goal is simple: "Roti, Kapda, Makaan, aur ek chhota sa Dukaan" for every home. I want to turn the seed of JhaJi Store into a strong tree that empowers women and takes Mithila's flavors to the world.
My message to everyone, especially the women of Bihar, is to find the skill you have and give it your 100%. Whether it's making pickles or ladoos, perfect your craft and create a business from your home. This is how we can change our society, one household at a time.
About The Story of JhaJi: From Our Kitchen to Yours
When we first started in our Darbhanga courtyard, our only goal was to bring the authentic taste of Mithila to homes missing that specific 'ghar ka swaad'. Today, those same recipes—handmade by 70 women in our Annapoorna kitchen—reach 10,000+ zip codes, proving that tradition has a place in every modern kitchen.
From Backyard to Annapoorna
Our journey didn't begin in a factory. It started in our own home, with simple, sun-dried recipes passed down by our grandmothers. What began as a small attempt to share the flavors of our childhood during the pandemic grew faster than we ever imagined. As demand increased, so did our responsibility. We transitioned from our backyard to the Annapoorna kitchen, a space where authenticity meets scale.
More Than Just Pickles
For us, food is an emotion. Every jar of our Lal Mirch Bharua or Tomato Garlic Chutney carries the local produce of Mithila. We work directly with local farmers in Darbhanga to ensure every ingredient is fresh and seasonal. We avoid machines to keep the texture chunky and real—just like it is made on a silbatta. There are no preservatives and no shortcuts, just pure mustard oil and patience.
Empowering Mithila
Perhaps the part of our story we are most proud of is our team. Today, over 70 women from our village work with us, turning their traditional skills into a livelihood. By preserving these recipes, we are also preserving a way of life. When you open a jar of JhaJi, you are not just getting a condiment; you are supporting a community that is keeping the heritage of Bihar alive, one jar at a time.
JhaJi
We are Kalpana and Uma, the sister-in-law duo behind JhaJi Store. Everything here started with our desire to keep our family recipes alive and create real work for the women in our village.
Looking for a specific taste of home?
Search our catalog for your favorite traditional Bihari condiments and pickles.
More from Artisanal Bihari Chutneys by JhaJi