Growing up in a community with neighbors from all different states in India, I had the opportunity to learn about and experience the diverse cultures of India firsthand. It was a very enriching experience as I learned about different customs, traditions, and ways of life. My diverse and multicultural upbringing allowed me to try a wide range of foods from different parts of the country and also participate in the celebration of many different festivals.

People in my neighborhood enjoyed coming together to celebrate different festivals and traditions, and I had the opportunity to be invited to the homes of my neighbors to enjoy meals during the celebration.

We used to call our neighbors "uncle" and "auntie." It's common in many cultures for people to refer to their neighbors as "uncle" or "auntie," even if they are not related by blood. This is a way of showing respect and indicating a sense of familiarity and friendship. It's a nice way to build a sense of community and create a friendly and welcoming environment.

One of my favorite childhood memories from living in such a diverse community is the celebration of Durga Pooja and Saraswati Pooja.

Durga Pooja and Saraswati Pooja are both major festivals that are traditionally celebrated by people of Bengali heritage. Durga Pooja is a festival that celebrates the goddess Durga, who is seen as a symbol of divine strength and power. Saraswati Pooja is a festival that celebrates the goddess Saraswati, who is the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, and the arts. These festivals are typically celebrated with prayers, rituals, and cultural events such as music and dance performances. They are important cultural events for many people of Bengali heritage and are often celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy.

During these festivals, my Bengali neighbors often prepare a variety of traditional dishes to offer to the goddess and to share with friends and family. Some common dishes that may be prepared for the occasion include:

1. Bhoger khichuri: This is a savory dish made with rice and lentils, and is often served as part of the bhog, or offerings, to the goddess.
2. Luchi: These are deep-fried, puffed breads that are often served with curry or dal.
3. Aloo posto: This is a dish made with potatoes and poppy seeds and is a popular accompaniment to rice or roti.
4. Cholar dal: This is a lentil dish that is flavored with coconut and spices and is often served with luchi or rice.
5. Rosogolla: These are soft, spongy balls of cottage cheese that are soaked in syrup and are a popular dessert in Bengal.
6. Sandesh: This is a sweet made with milk and sugar and is often flavored with cardamom or rose water.

After consuming a heavy meal, our neighbors would offer us pachak. Pachak is a type of digestive food that is commonly consumed in Bengali cuisine. It is typically made with a combination of herbs, spices, and other ingredients and is often consumed after a meal to aid in digestion. Pachak is often consumed as a powder, candy, or a drink and can be found in many stores that sell Bengali products. In Bengali culture, pachak is typically consumed after a heavy meal to help digest the food and prevent indigestion. It can also be taken as a digestive aid if one is feeling uncomfortable or experiencing digestive issues. Pachak is a popular item in Bengali cuisine and is often consumed as a part of the traditional Bengali diet.

I have such fond memories of those pachaks that I enjoyed during my childhood, and from time to time I indulge in cravings for the flavors and food that I enjoyed in the past.

After moving to US, I tried getting them at different local Indian grocery stores but it was disappointing that I was not able to find them in my current location.

Soon, I realized that I am not the only one with this childhood taste craving. Multiple people around us wanted to get the taste of authentic, regional food products, but didn't know where to get it from.

The unavailability of authentic regional products from India inspired us to seek out long-standing, reliable vendors who specialize in creating genuine, local food products and honoring the incredible culinary festivals that India is known for.

Our initial focus is on offering a select few food products from one region, but our ultimate aim is to broaden our selection to include a diverse range of products from various regions in India.

I am confident that you will appreciate the care and attention that our team has put into creating the authenticity we are bringing to you.