Legend has it that water from the copper-hued Thamirabarani River is what gives the Tirunelveli Halwa its distinctive flavour. Elsewhere, the unique macaroons of Thoothukudi trace their origins all the way back to Portugal.

These and countless other food stories can be found in every corner of India. Each regional delicacy is a local icon, 
but often out of reach for everyone else.

We asked ourselves, why should these culinary gems be limited by geography, when there is an irresistible treasure trove just waiting to be savoured?

At Pattri, we believe the best way to explore India is through its food, and we’re here to take you on an adventure.

Join us and discover the food treasures of India, one delicacy at a time.

My love for various regional and local snacks began when I was in boarding school. I had classmates from all over the country, who would come back to school after the break armed with delicacies like putharekulu, bebinca, bhadang and more, which we would all share and relish.

During the pandemic, I made a trip to Tirunelveli to visit my family. Naturally, I wanted to take some of its famous halwa back home to Mumbai with me. But each time I went to the market, I’d find myself at the tail end of an impatient snaking queue outside the shop. The halwa would sell out before I could covet any for myself, and I was turned away with the rest of the crowd.

Starting with South India, I travelled all over the country, researching and discovering lesser-known culinary gems from small towns and cities. I tasted foods I hadn’t heard of before, met generations of local food makers, and devoured their offerings and stories along the way.

To help give these local businesses national reach, I started Pattri. An online platform that sources unsung food treasures directly from the people who make them, and delivers them to any one, anywhere in India.

—

Paul Berkmans