Shikha Vermani

We’ve grown so accustomed to seeing Lavender in candles, soaps, skincare and perfumes, that we now almost associate it only with fragrance and cosmetics. But what if we started looking at Lavender in its entirety and versatility? What if we looked at it as the premium botanical ingredient that it is, particularly for an industry that is already becoming increasingly adventurous with flavour - the Indian Alcobev industry? Let's talk about Indian Himalayan Lavender for Craft Spirits. India is...

For most Indians, lavender is synonymous with fragrances, soaps and candles. But around the world, it's increasingly shaping food, beverages and wellness experiences. Why does this perception gap exist, and why could Himalayan lavender become one of India's most exciting botanical ingredients?

July 2025 July 2024 Every July, the Lavender fields in Doda district of Jammu & Kashmir come alive. This year's harvest has just begun. And it takes me back to where The Purple Himalayas started. July 2024. Sixty kilograms. Two farmers. I was a city girl showing up in a remote Himalayan village, asking people I had never met to trust me with their crop. Growing up, we knew Lavender as a European herb, associating it with expensive sought-after brands like Yardley. It was in 2024 that i got to...