Fusion sweets to salvage your Gifting conundrum

A quirky mix of Indian and western delicacies come intricately wrapped from Delhi-based Saffron Gourmet. Juveria Tabassum finds out more about the enterprise…

Akansha Kohli is not fond of traditional Indian mithais. And nor do western desserts appeal to her. Based out of Delhi, the 28-year-old decided to take matters into her own hands and concoct a perfect mix of both cuisines, and sell them to willing buyers. Such was the origin story behind Saffron Gourmet. The brand offers what Akansha calls “fusion” sweets and savories, decorously packaged, making them an ideal solution for your gifting fix. “My husband is associated with the weddings industry, and we identified scope for a one-stop solution for gifting at these occasions,” shares Akansha about the idea behind the project. 

Saffron Gourmet began online sales via Instagram in July 2020, with eccentric-sounding sweets and namkeens on the menu such as vanilla-flavoured kaju katli and bhujia tarts. Operating out of their base kitchen in Delhi, Akansha guides her in-house chefs in the process of creating these recipes which seem to have found takers among elders and millennials alike. “We might be cooking up things that sound quirky, but we are as particular about taste as any other brand. We carefully curate and test our recipes, and take feedback from friends and customers before putting them up on the roster,” says the entrepreneur. A couple of bestsellers have been the rosewater-infused grilled almond sag, and the saffron khalakhand.

Akansha believes the brand has come a long way in two years, getting repeat orders, and building a strong customer base. Sweets and namkeens are a quintessential gifting option in India. And Saffron Gourmet creates delicacies that have a sniff of western flavours among a strong desi oomph, evident also in their bakery items such as the rasmalai cake. 

The packaging is also another strong point, designed around the season and the occasion. For example, the Diwali hampers last year came with a gift, so the customers wouldn’t have to bother getting one themselves. And while Akansha says that being an entrepreneur has been a challenging task, especially as a new mother, she still has plans to venture into retail, and set up a store in South Delhi some time late this year.  

Instagram: @saffron_gourmetfoods 

Tel: 9999665060

Price Range: Rs 1,200 onwards

Box:

Gourmet Picks for the Summer:

• Bhujia tarts – flavoured with saffron, pineapple and rose.
• Dried rose with nutty delights– a slab of premium nuts infused with rose water; makes for a healthy munching option.
• Beetroot pedas – traditional pedas with a punch of tangy beets.