Sahithya Wintrich, founder of Chutni Punch.
📸: Julia O’Laughlin

In the bustling kitchens of East Cleveland, there’s a new culinary whisper turning into a roar: the arrival of Chutni Punch at Fairfax Market. This isn’t just another spice brand; Chutni Punch is a celebration of South Indian flavors, ready to give your cooking that extra punch of excitement and authenticity. As a cornerstone vendor of Fairfax Market, Chutni Punch is ready to bring its commitment to fresh and local Indian spices to our community.

The Story Behind the Spices

The magic of Chutni Punch started in the creative kitchen of Sahithya Wintrich, a culinary visionary whose roots trace back to Bangalore, Karnataka in Southern India. Sahithya’s journey with flavors and spices began in her childhood, where her Ajji, the heart and soul of their family kitchen, played a pivotal role.

“If there’s one thing you must know about me, it is that I LOVE flavorful food,” Sahithya explains. It was a blend of her Indian heritage and new American life that led to the birth of Chutni Punch. “That’s when it occurred to me to create a versatile spice condiment that adds a burst of flavor to anything, any time of day—and KAPOW, Chutni Punch was born!”

Sahithya’s goal with Chutni Punch is transformative – to remove barriers around how spices are used in everyday cooking. “I want to counter the perception that using spices is complicated and overwhelming. I want Chutni Punch to add flavor to people’s food and life!” Her line of spice condiments is an open invitation to be creative and playful in the kitchen.

The a few flavors of Savory Chana: Curry leaves, coconut, and chili.

📸: Julia O’Laughlin

Spicy, Savory, Aromatic: The Indian Spice Spectrum

Diving into Indian cuisine can be like stepping into a whole new world of tastes and aromas, especially if you’re new to its flavors. What makes Indian cooking so unique is its rich variety throughout the regions of India. Each area brings its own punchy blend of spices to the table, creating delicious dishes that are as distinct as they are flavorful.

Sahithya designed her spice blends to make it easy for anyone to bring a dash of Indian culinary magic into their everyday cooking. It’s not just about heat or intensity; it’s about enriching your meals with flavors that dance on your palate and bring a new dimension to your dishes.

The Chutni Punch Line Up

Chutni Punch spices bring a unique twist to every meal, infusing them with authentic South Indian flavors. Here’s a breakdown of each blend and how Sahithya recommends using them in her easy-to-use, shelf-stable seasoning blends.

Savory Chana Blend

The Savory Chana blend is a tribute to the rich, earthy flavors of mushrooms, paired with the subtle warmth of turmeric. It’s great on your avocado toast, in salad dressings, or even a homemade pizza.

Super Sesame Blend

The Super Sesame Blend, with its delightful mix of sesame seeds, flax seeds, and nutritional yeast, brings a nutty richness to your meals. Add it to your scrambled eggs, sprinkle on roasted veggies, or try it sprinkled over some popcorn for a snack that’s tasty and nutritious.

Spicy Peanut Blend

If you’re someone who enjoys a touch of heat in your food, you’ll definitely want to try the Spicy Peanut blend from Chutni Punch. It’s a vibrant mix of peanuts, cumin, and a hint of garlic that really brings dishes like noodles, stir-fries, and soups to life.

Chutni Punch’s versatility caters to a variety of dietary preferences, whether you’re a meat eater or adhere to gluten-free, vegan, or alternative diets.

Behind the scenes of Chutni Punch’s Savory Chana: prepping chilis, measuring spices, adding ingredients to blend, pulsing, and packaging.
📸: Julia O’Laughlin

Community First: Chutni Punch’s Local Focus at Fairfax Market

Chutni Punch’s collaboration with Fairfax Market goes beyond just being a vendor of Indian spices in Cleveland; it’s a shared commitment to supporting the local community. Wintrich highlights this connection, “We strive to source our ingredients for Chutni Punch as locally as possible. The Fairfax Market is a great way to bring locally made food products all available in one place. It is a platform that will feature products made in Cleveland, by those living in Cleveland, for consumers in Cleveland. You can’t get more local than that!”

This partnership is about more than business. It’s about creating a community-focused food culture, where we celebrate local flavors and producers. Come taste the difference at Fairfax Market on January 16th. Whether it’s the Savory Chana blend on your toast or the Spicy Peanut blend in your evening stir-fry, there’s something for everyone.

Add a Punch of Flavor with Chutni Punch