Savouring Tradition Empowering Women
Savouring Tradition Empowering Women
Who Are We?
We are a women-led collective in the foothills of Himachal Pradesh Province, Northern India. We craft small-batch, preservative-free pickles and chutneys using age-old recipes, mustard oil, and sun-ripened local produce.
Our initial craftswomen herald from Swala Vill, Naganpatt (Bandi) - a small agricultural area in the Dharamshala region of Himachal. Their stories are marked by joy, hardships and ultimately perseverance - we are very proud to support their work.
In the serene folds of Dharamkot, where the mountains cradle stories and silence alike, a revolution has been simmering
A woman who traded corporate boardrooms for Himalayan kitchens, transforming both her life and the lives of countless women in Himachal Pradesh.
For over 30 years, Nupur built a thriving career in marketing and advertising. But at 54, a deep inner calling led her to leave it all behind and move to the hills. “I wanted a life of purpose,” she says. “One rooted in community, authenticity, and conscious living.” That leap of faith became the foundation of two remarkable ventures: Mustard House Homestays and Mustard
Women Pickies & Chutneys.
From Boardroom to Mountain Retreats
Nupur’s first creation, Mustard House, began as a simple travelers’ homestay in Dharamkot. Today, it has blossomed into two serene retreats in Dharamkot and Naddi, celebrated for their warm Himachali hospitality, authentic cuisine, and immersive cultural experiences. Without relying on booking platforms, the homestays have built a reputation for excellence, earning consistent 5/5 guest ratings. Solo women travelers, families, and international guests alike describe Mustard House as one of the safest and most soulful homestays in the region.
But even as Mustard House grew, Nupur’s vision stretched further. Her real dream was not just to host travelers, but to empower the local women whose lives intersected with her own.
The seed of Mustard Women was planted one afternoon when Nupur met a local widow in the fields. The woman, weathered by hardship but rich in spirit, invited her to share a meal. On the table was a homemade pickle tangy, rich, unforgettable. Yet it was the woman’s story that left the deeper mark: a struggle for independence, for dignity, for the chance to stand on her own feet.
“There was no pity in that moment,” Nupur recalls. “Only compassion, and a recognition of her strength.”
Nupur bottled them, placed them in local cafés, and ensured that every rupee earned went back to the woman. Soon, she could afford her children’s education and buy essentials with pride.
Word spread. More women came forward each with her own recipes, stories, and hopes. Farmers too joined the movement, supplying organic ginger, garlic, and chilies at fair prices, bypassing middlemen. What began as a small act of compassion became Mustard Women: a collective where women preserve Himachal’s culinary heritage while reclaiming their independence, one jar at a time.
The pickles and chutneys made by Mustard Women are no ordinary condiments. Handcrafted with all-natural ingredients, low oil, and minimal salt, they carry the taste of Himachal’s kitchens and the strength of its women. For widows and women in need, they are not just recipes they are livelihoods. Each jar sold is a step toward dignity, self-reliance, and hope.
Nupur explains, “These jars don’t just carry flavors, they carry stories. They carry resilience.”
The Road Ahead
As Mustard Women gains recognition across India and beyond, Nupur’s vision continues to expand. She dreams of building a production hub to scale the initiative, providing employment to even more women. Alongside, she envisions growing Mustard House into a franchise chain, offering travelers worldwide a taste of Himachali culture steeped in authenticity.
Yet at the heart of it all, her mission remains simple: to blend purpose with passion, and commerce with compassion.
A Legacy in the Making
A chef, traveler, writer, and clinical hypnotherapist, Nupur Kohli embodies resilience and reinvention. Her life’s second act is not defined by personal gain but by collective growth. In the Himalayas, she is crafting a legacy one where women rise together, heritage is celebrated, and the humble mustard seed becomes a symbol of change.
As the sun dips behind the Dhauladhar range, the story of Mustard Women continues to unfold, jar by jar. And in every bite of tangy pickle lies not just a taste of Himachal, but a reminder of what courage, compassion, and vision can create.
Anita’s Story…
Anita was disabled by Polio at birth. Eventually she was married to Ved Parkash who is deaf and mute from an infection at birth. Ved was trained as a tailor and Anita has been a housewife, as there were no work opportunities for women in the village. Anita and Ved have 3 children, a daughter Anishka, 29 who is now married, and two Sons Jatin 27 and Sujatha 24.
Sunila and Anita have known each other for more than 27 years as neighbors and friends. Anita, thankfully, came to The Mustard Women in September of 2025 and we are so happy to have her!
Sunila’s Story…
Sunila was born in Nandi village and arranged to marry Rajesh Kumar at 23 yrs from Bandi village. She moved there and they had two children Sneha now 19, and Ronit 14 yrs. Before marriage, she worked at Cross Cultural Solutions, an NGO, as a fieldworker in women’s health and education. Her husband, 6 years her senior, operated a successful guest house in Dharamkot before he met with a fatal road accident in August 2022, at the young age of 46.
Sunila was 40 yrs old at the time of the accident. She was left with only her home and small fields in the village. Her subsistence now was to sell the milk from her family cow, some crops from her fields and occasional seamstress work, but it was not enough to feed and keep her children in school. Nupur was casually acquainted with Rajesh’s cousin who recommended Sunila to Nupur in her quest to support a local woman in need. The hook - Sunila makes a mean pickle! The two met in November of 2023 and began production of the first iteration of The Mustard Women in February of 2024.
Sunila embodies resilience and warmth - she is the cornerstone of The Mustard Women, and we are so grateful for her generous spirit and hard work.
Carefully selected seasonal radish, chillies, ginger, and more.
Sterilized jars, food-grade gloves, RO water, and batch logs.
Mustard-oil heat, natural spices, balanced tang and crunch.
Trained women artisans crafting each jar with pride.
Oct 30 – Nov 2, 2025 our local debut at the Dharamshala International Film Festival was met with rave reviews!
We are a young but tenacious collective – please follow us in our continuing evolution and thank you for your support!
Each pickle is handcrafted by local Himachali women using sun-dried ingredients and age-old recipes.
Yes — we deliver PAN India within 3-5 days.
Absolutely — no artificial colors or flavors.
8 months – 1 year in a cool place or refrigerated.
Write to us at Info@themustardwomen.com
or DM us on Instagram.