“Kikaboni.” It means organic in Swahili. In other words, Food that is good for you! Unadulterated, GMO free. No pesticides, herbicides, or anything else that deadens what we eat and deems it less valuable to “be our medicine” as Hippocrates would have put it. Not only is there a small grocery store on the 1st floor, but there’s a snug little cafe on the second floor, with adjacent outdoor patio attached, and a clothing store across the hall.
Within 2 separate visits, I’ve sampled the Watermelon Juice, Ginger Tea, Carrot Juice, Espresso, Green Tea, and Tsering, which comes from the Seabuckthorn fruit. They sell it in the cafe as a drink diluted with water, or you could also buy a bottle of it to take home to mix it up yourself. It’s sweet and tangy, a superfood from the Himalayas and processed in Himachal Pradesh- I might also add that it’s delicious, and a great way to to get your anti oxidants from something that tastes great. And, of course, the Mosambi Juice, which is like a not so sweet Orange Juice.
In the cafe, it’s easy to get into conversations with like minded people. Or if you’re feeling more introverted you can check their bookshelf which is full of great books like“White Tiger” by Aravind Adiga and Tagore’s biography, to name a few.Across the hall there are T shirts and other clothes for sale. Amith Ray, employee of the store gave me a great tour and patiently answered my many questions.
When we went back downstairs I was overwhelmed by variety. The produce was locally grown in Shamshabad with everything from Olligoo Da (Onions for any westerners who may be reading this,) Goyu Chikkudu, Binjal (mini eggplants,) Green Chilis, Ridge Gourds,bananas, and watermelons. There were also bags of coffee beans on sale grown in the Aaraku Valley, along with fresh coriander and Pala Kuna. Hygiene products included soap, detergent, and all kind of face washes/ shampoos,all made from natural materials. There was jarred chutney and honey to bring home for the kitchen along with Amla and Aloe Vera Juice. I’m personally going back to buy the dried Wheatgrass from Lucknow and a bottle of the aforementioned Tsering.
As if it couldn’t get any better, Amith tells me that the owner, Ranjith, is planning to put a rooftop garden on the 3rd floor- now that would be pretty awesome to actually sell produce that you’re planting on the premises! I’m sold! And, if you burn a whole through your wallet from spending so much money, you can always buy a new one made of recycled goods from the company LEEP which they have in the clothing store on the second floor. Tell them Bocky sent you- or maybe I'll just see you there!