A unique supply chain, without cooperatives
Yaksha offers a new way to enjoy spices, from farm to table, sourced from a single farm. We go directly to the source to deliver the freshest spices, naturally and ethically grown.
An opaque system that undermines both the flavour and the expertise of spice farmers.
A spice is much like wine: its flavour is shaped by the terroir—soil, climate, and sun exposure all contribute to its unique characteristics. Unfortunately, the global spice market lacks transparency. Big brands source from cooperatives that group together thousands of farmers. During a trip to India, we visited a cooperative with over 2,000 farmers and quickly realised it wasn’t for us. While cooperatives have the necessary certifications, conduct quality checks, and steam-sterilise spices for easy export, they mix spices from multiple farms.
We visited two farms, each identified by a specific code, but the spices were all combined at the cooperative, making it impossible to order from just one farm. The result? Spices from an entire region, not a single farm. Worse, we later discovered that some of our spices came from multiple continents. Not very transparent. We use spices like pepper every day, yet we have no idea where they come from or how they’re sourced. Unlike the coffee and chocolate industries, the spice trade still has a long way to go in terms of transparency.
A lack of transparency
« One day, we walked into a speciality grocery store and asked where the cumin came from. The answer? 'From the East!' The current spice distribution chain is opaque. We know the origins of our coffee, tea, or chocolate, but what about our spices? Where do they really come from? »
With the current business model, the journey from the spice’s place of origin to your plate is incredibly long. The spices you find in supermarkets are often stored for years, passing through too many middlemen. Over time, spices lose their essential oils and intense aromas. They need to be consumed quickly after harvest. The fresher the spice, the better it tastes. In open-air markets, spices may look appealing with their beautiful pyramid displays, but hygiene and quality standards are often not met, and exposure to air and light causes them to oxidise rapidly.
At this point, the hard work of spice farmers isn’t valued. Middlemen like cooperatives and traders profit at the expense of the farmers. Many farmers we’ve spoken to have told us how difficult it is to find direct buyers, especially for international sales. They can’t afford certification because the process is lengthy and expensive. As a result, they’re forced to accept the low prices set by cooperatives and traders. These intermediaries, who add little value, take a significant margin. The more middlemen involved, the higher the price for the consumer, and the lower the quality of the spice. The farmers’ expertise is undervalued, even though they are the true heroes of the land.
A lack of flavors
« The fresher the spice, the better it is. Yet today, we’re consuming spices that have been stored for years. »
Fresh spices delivered to your doorstep
Discover our concept in our video
At Yaksha, we offer 100% transparency, explosive flavours, and deep respect for our farmers.
The term “single origin” is often used to describe products from a single country or region, but it doesn’t guarantee that the product comes from an independent producer. By sourcing directly from one farm per region, we ensure full traceability, and the spices aren’t mixed with others, unlike in cooperatives. This guarantees complete transparency throughout the supply chain, from farm to table.
We’ve always sought exceptional products to elevate our cooking, and our goal is to help rediscover the authentic flavours of each spice. Spicy cooking isn’t just about heat; it’s about balance. Each dose of spice matters to create a perfectly balanced dish.
We’ve always sought exceptional products to elevate our cooking, and our goal is to help rediscover the authentic flavours of each spice. Spicy cooking isn’t just about heat; it’s about balance. Each dose of spice matters to create a perfectly balanced dish.
Yaksha: guaranteed traceability
“Single origin” has become a marketing term in the mass industry. But often, it means a blend of spices from thousands of farmers in one country, not from a single independent producer.
By shortening the supply chain, we ensure that spices cultivated halfway around the world reach you much fresher. Delivered from the latest harvest, our spices retain their full aroma and high quality. In industrial processes, steam sterilisation at over 100 degrees reduces aroma concentration. The delicate and volatile compounds in spices diminish at these high temperatures. And remember, just like with wine, the soil plays a crucial role in the quality of the spice. If it comes from thousands of different soils, the spice loses its unique character and taste. Having tasted turmeric from different regions, we know each root has its own particularities depending on its environment.
Whether grown in tropical, mountainous, or arid zones, the taste varies with the richness of the soil. Often, the quality of a spice is judged by its size, shape, and colour – just like with fruit and vegetables, which are expected to be perfectly smooth and shiny. For example, cinnamon is treated with sulphur dioxide to give it a lighter colour, just as cardamom is treated to preserve its green hue. Our spices, however, undergo no such treatments – our partners follow 100% natural practices.
Abhishek, one of our partners, is passionate about nature. Every day, he pollinates vanilla flowers by hand with a toothpick, using a method invented by a Belgian botanist in the 1830s. Vanilla flowers can only be naturally pollinated by a specific bee native to Mexico, so this manual technique is now used worldwide.
Expertise gained on the ground
« Attending a trade fair would never give us the same depth of knowledge about farming techniques, plantations, and spices. It's through visiting farms in their natural environment that we truly become experts. »
By personally meeting the producers on their plantations, we gain insight into their working methods and agricultural expertise. This genuine interest helps our partners feel valued and appreciated. During the days we spend with them, we tour their farms, learn about their values, and discuss potential spices that might captivate chefs. We also share techniques we’ve observed at other farms. This time together builds real trust, making communication and future collaboration much easier. We stay in regular contact with them to maintain these close relationships.
By sourcing directly from the farm, we’re able to share our vision and expectations in person, so our partners know exactly what we’re looking for. After these exchanges, prices are set fairly, based on genuine relationships. It’s like visiting a local farmer to pick up a vegetable box – you build trust through face-to-face interactions. You see their working environment firsthand, they deliver high-quality produce, and they know they can count on you for the long term. These connections benefit both sides: we promise lasting partnerships, and in return, our partners deliver exceptional spices.
Spice producers are at the heart of Yaksha because they are the ones cultivating these extraordinary spices.