7 months ago
Kolkata Duo Revives Authentic Nolen Gur
Two friends from Kolkata, Senjuti and Abhishek, started a farm called Earth Story Farms to make traditional nolen gur, a sweet jaggery from palm and date trees.
They wanted to keep the old ways of making it, which involves collecting sap and cooking it slowly over a woodfire.
This sweet treat is special in Bengal and is enjoyed during winter.
They also help local farmers and artisans by giving them work all year round, not just during the nolen gur season.
They sell other traditional foods like honey, pickles, and ghee too.
Their goal is to make sure people can enjoy pure, healthy food that connects them to their culture.
Senjuti Mahato and Abhishek Choudhury founded Earth Story Farms in 2020 to revive traditional nolen gur production in West Bengal.
Nolen gur is made from the sap of date and palm trees, collected and cooked using traditional methods over a woodfire.
The startup employs over 80 artisans year-round, providing stable livelihoods and preserving cultural heritage.
Earth Story Farms offers a variety of traditional products, including honey, pickles, ghee, and a popular spiced gur haldi latte.
The founders balance tradition with modernity, maintaining traditional production methods while adapting presentation for convenience.
- Who
- Senjuti Mahato and Abhishek Choudhury, founders of Earth Story Farms
- What
- A Kolkata-based duo reviving the traditional production of nolen gur (palm jaggery) and promoting clean, authentic food
- Where
- Bankura, West Bengal, India
- When
- The business was launched in 2020, with production tied to the winter season
- Why
- To preserve Bengali culinary traditions, promote healthy eating, and provide year-round livelihoods for local artisans
Key facts
- Founders
- Senjuti Mahato and Abhishek Choudhury
- Company
- Earth Story Farms
- Year Founded
- 2020
- Location
- Bankura, West Bengal
- Primary Product
- Nolen Gur (Palm Jaggery)
- Artisans Employed
- 80+
- Key Ingredients
- Date and Palm Sap
- Production Process
- Traditional, Slow-Cooked over Woodfire
Quotes
Abhishek Choudhury
Co-founder of Earth Story Farms and an MBA graduate with experience in social enterprise.
“Once the temperature starts dropping, and the humidity lowers, that’s when the sap starts flowing. On the first day of production, just before sunset, the shiulis make a careful incision in the tree to allow the sap to flow into earthen pots. The sap is left to collect overnight, and by the next morning, it is gently removed and brought to the cooking unit for the next stage.”
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“We want to ensure that future generations not only enjoy these pure and traditional ingredients but also understand their cultural significance and health benefits. It’s about reconnecting people with the roots of their culinary heritage and the natural goodness that these ingredients bring.”
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Senjuti Mahato
Co-founder of Earth Story Farms and a political science graduate with experience in advertising.
“We have accepted modernity, but we balance it with tradition. The process of making the gur remains traditional, but we have modernised the presentation to make it more convenient for today’s consumers. For example, we turn the patali gur into cubes instead of the large, circular structures. This helps people use it more easily in their kitchens.”
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“What really concerned us was the uncertainty about what we were eating. We realised that the food on our plates often lacked authenticity, and that’s when we decided to take action. Our common goal has always been to make clean eating a culture.”
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Mintu
A 45-year-old farmer and gur artisan.
“As gur artisans, our biggest concern has always been securing a steady livelihood throughout the year. However, working with Earth Story Farms for the past four years has alleviated that worry. We now have the opportunity to work with them year-round, crafting various jaggery products suited to each season. This partnership allows us to focus entirely on producing high-quality products without looking into marketing and sales.”
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Prakash
A 27-year-old farmer connected with Earth Story Farms.
“Earth Story Farms has given us the opportunity to work in our own village, without the need to migrate to distant cities. This partnership has allowed us to remain connected to farming while ensuring a stable livelihood, allowing us to take care of our loved ones.”
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Syeda Sufia Hasan
A recent customer of Earth Story Farms.
“As soon as he tasted it, my father was instantly transported back to his childhood. I found the flavour to be incredibly rich and authentic. The jaggery is pure, unaltered, and free from the modern additives that often compromise the natural sweetness.”
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