Ladakh line: Products from the mountains

Civil Society Reviews

FROM HILLTOP FARMS 

Rinchen Youdol’s company, Reetsot, sells a variety of organic foods. There’s a range of teas – chamomile, rose and peppermint – as well as sun-dried tomatoes, apricots and apples, Himalayan ghee and special hand-pressed oils. 

Based in a village called Shey near Leh, Reetsot’s main aim is to empower the rural women of Ladakh. Marketing her products at the Ladakh Festival held at Dilli Haat, Youdol says her aim is to bring to urban customers the cleanest organic products available in India, cultivated by women farmers from some of the purest and highest farms in the world.

Reetsot sells whole foods as well as body care and local craft products. There are  hand-pressed oils like apricot, which Youdol learnt to extract from her grandfather. Also available are aromatic Himalayan cumin seeds and rajma. 

A very special self-care product Youdol offers is Himalayan clay.  “It’s a piece of Ladakh’s soul in every jar, the perfect way to pamper your skin and experience the purity of nature,” says Youdol. 

Contact:

Phone: +91 9289674065 / 01982-252809, WhatsApp: +91 98289574065, Instagram: @reetsot

 

TAKE YOUR PICK OF FRESH NUTS

The next time you want to gift a hamper of varied dry fruits, turn to Fida Hussain’s FHS Dry Fruits, an enterprise that operates from Ladakh and Kargil. FHS describes itself as a wholesale and retail dealer of a range of dry fruits and nuts such as walnuts, pistachios, almonds, figs, apricots, blackberries, raisins and currants, among others.

Their hallmark is that all their dry fruits are a hundred percent natural, a claim they highlight on their packaging too. Apricots are a common favourite and feature right on top of their category of best-selling products. Rich in fibre, Vitamin A and antioxidants, apricots are also known to be good for the heart and skin.

Another product that has considerable demand are dried figs. Brimming with healthful properties, figs are known to regulate sugar absorption, and help with lowering cholesterol and preventing constipation.

The team is busy throughout the year but more so during the festive season, with beautifully crafted assortments of their specialties as gift hampers. Although based in Ladakh and Kargil, the company promises home delivery of fine dry fruits across the country.

Contact: Phone: Leh: +91 9469588591 / +91 9797010996 Kargil: +91 9469047265 Email: [email protected]

 

FLOWER POWER AND PLANT THERAPY 

Makoii is a slow apothecary that specializes in making small batches of formulations from freshly harvested plant materials by hand. Founded by Deskit, who describes herself as an enthusiastic gardener, and Deldan, a “turf devotee with a creative drive”, this newbie micro enterprise entered the market just a year ago.

Deskit and Deldan are passionate about nurturing plants and flowers. Their formulations are made from plants and flowers which they cultivate or source from the wild. 

Makoii offers a variety of hydrosols: there is aloe vera, cucumber and orange rind hydrosol, lavender hydrosol and another made of lemon balm and calendula. Also, a variety of lip balms are on offer from seabuckthorn and peppermint to moonbeam and a mix of wild flowers. 

Their restorative oils are extracted from plants which thrive in Ladakh like rosehip, calendula, apricot, and seabuckthorn. These oils are known to be rich in antioxidants with antibacterial, regenerative, and rejuvenating properties. 

Makoii’s Himalayan botanical bath and foot salts are a blend of medicinal herbs and ancient mineral salts and are a remedy for tired and sore muscles, apart from being an aromatherapy experience. Makoii’s miniature botanical wellness set is an ideal gift and an indulgent self-care experience. 

Since the enterprise uses only fresh plant ingredients in small batches, they inform customers that product availability is limited since it is tied to the seasons. Makoii’s aim is to gain deeper insights into the therapeutic properties of plants. Their approach is holistic and sustainable.

Contact: Phone: +91 60006356849 / +91 8800717145 Email: [email protected], Website: www.makoiiapothecary.com

 

DRESS UP IN THIGMA CLOTH

Lobithikma is a venture that seeks to revive and promote Ladakh’s traditional tie and dye technique called thigma and its art of hand-weaving. Thigma is a process that involves resist dyeing on woollen cloth. It is somewhat similar to the bandhani technique. Thread and cord are two key tools used in this craft. The cloth is pinched together and the part to be dyed is tied tightly with thread.

The dyes used are natural plant-based ones extracted from onion peel, marigold flowers and ratanjot root. Plant derivatives yield an array of colours and hues of yellow, blue, magenta, grey, green, black, red and brown.

Lobithikma works with local women from different regions of Ladakh. All the raw material that they use is sourced from local artisans from villages in the regions of Nubra and Changthang. Products include scarves for women and men, coats for men, formal vests, traditional Ladakhi dresses and tote bags. They also offer waistcoats, high boots (thigma pabu) and belts (skerekh). 

Contact:

Phone: +91 9419877948 / +91 8082062298, Email: [email protected], Instagram: @lobithikma