Instant South Indian flavors, without all that cooking!

Endless combinations

Use PODIs as seasoning on grilled veggies, as a dry rub on meat, as seasoning for cooked grains (rice, quinoa, millets, popcorn etc)

Meet the duo 🤎

PODI life is a mom-daughter operated business. We're happy to share our intergenerational perspective through a celebration of food & culture!

Meet the Maker - Vasavi R

She is the humble and highly-talented creator behind all the PODIs. Some are her creations and some are heirloom family recipes! Thrilled to share these treasures with all with you :)

Meet the Founder - Alak Nanda

Alak got her amma's / Vasavi's PODIs in every care package she ever received. After many, many years of sharing these PODIs with friends from all over the world, and accommodating special requests for PODI delivery from all of them, she decided to start a lil biz around PODIs. PODI life is now so much more than just these delicious, versatile seasonings. It is the perfect vehicle for inviting people to a conversation around food, sustainability, culture and community!

Learn more →
Next-generation direct-to-consumer companies like...PODI life are reaching new markets. Outside of South Asian grocery stores, direct-to-consumer brands like PODI life are making them more equitable and transparent in their sourcing and pricing.

Antara Sinha, Bon Appetit Magazine

The mother-daughter duo decided to form a brand out of their mutual love for PODIs. PODI Life, as the brand name goes, is an ode to the South Asian diaspora and includes a range of PODIs which have been created by Vasavi and Alak Nanda.

Krystelle DSouza, The Better India

To see bold, wildly creative women like Alak Nanda of PODI life carving out their space in the industry is exciting, and a real relief. Her PODIs are delicious, and infused with so much heart and feeling. To see Alak proudly center her upbringing, her palate and cooking techniques is thrilling.

Sana Javeri Kadri, CEO, Diaspora Co Spices (Who's Making AAPI History - 2021 edition, ABC Good Morning America)

The PODI life MAG

Learn how to make delicious tomato rasam!

A simple, foolproof recipe to make delicious tomato rasam and 5 cool new ways to enjoy rasam! Serve up one of these rasam dishes at your next dinner party or turn that big pot of rasam into five new dishes (talk about creative meal prep!)

The PODI life MAG

My Mother's Garden

Observations from Alak Nanda (Founder, PODI life) One of the most wondrous lessons I've learned from amma is to always tend to a little garden. I...

The PODI life MAG

What is Rasam?

Rasam is a tangy and spicy soup that is an essential part of South Indian cuisine. It is typically made with tamarind juice, tomatoes, garlic, and ...

The PODI life MAG

Chillies: an age-old South Indian love

   Chillies are an integral part of South Indian cuisine and have a long and interesting history. The word "chili" itself comes from the Aztecs in...

The PODI life MAG

Why lentils are excellent!

Lentils and pulses are packed with nutrients, have a low glycemic index, and are sustainable for the environment. With the addition of PODIs, you can add flavor and texture to your meals while reaping the numerous benefits of these nutrient-dense foods.

The PODI life MAG

A deep dive into PODI flavors

Looks like you got a early sneak-peak, lucky you! PEEKU's little minions are working on this page. Here's a quick PODI 101 guide. We bet you didn...

The PODI life MAG

Our favorite Card Games

We created this deck of cards to pay homage to all the lovely moments we've had with near and dear ones. We're thrilled to share a personal curat...

@podi.life

We are a community of peeps with a deep interest in easy flavorful cooking and curious about all things South Indian - spices, food, culture, history, art!

What exactly are PODIs?

Learn all about them and how to use them in this little guide.

Teach me, sensei! →

Dosa Guide Supreme!

Learn all about dosas, a cult classic, from our in-house experts. Even if you think you know a lot about dosas, we bet you'll learn a new thing or two! ;)

Take me there now →

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