A Taste of the Himalayas: Naara Aaba, India's First Organic Kiwi Wine

A Taste of the Himalayas: Naara Aaba, India's First Organic Kiwi Wine

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on March 30, 2024

Nestled amidst the breathtaking Himalayan foothills of Arunachal Pradesh lies a story of innovation and local pride. Here, in the village of Hong, amidst the Apatani tribe, flourishes a unique winery – Naara Aaba, the producer of India's first-ever organic kiwi wine.

The Apatani people have a long history of cultivating kiwi fruit, contributing significantly to India's overall production. In 2016, Arunachal Pradesh boasted a remarkable 26% share of the country's total kiwi output. So, when faced with a surplus of this delicious fruit, agricultural engineer Tage Rita Takhe saw an opportunity.  Why not transform this local bounty into a product that could not only benefit the community but also put Arunachal Pradesh on the map?

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Naara Aaba, which translates to “father's name” in the local dialect, embodies the spirit of tradition and innovation. Launched in 2017, the winery utilizes meticulous, small-batch production methods to ensure the highest quality. The focus is on organic practices, using only locally sourced, naturally grown kiwi fruit. This not only minimizes environmental impact but also allows the unique character of the Arunachal Pradesh terroir to shine through in the final product.

For those accustomed to the world of grape-based wines, Naara Aaba offers a refreshing departure. The kiwi wine boasts a vibrant, pale yellow color and a delightful aroma reminiscent of gooseberries and tropical fruits. The initial sip presents a burst of tangy sweetness, followed by a well-balanced finish with subtle hints of citrus and honey. This unique profile makes it a versatile drink, perfect on its own as an aperitif or paired with lighter dishes like salads, seafood, and even spicy curries.

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Naara Aaba’s success extends beyond the delicious wine it produces. The winery has become a source of empowerment for the local community. It directly supports over 300 kiwi farmers, providing them with a reliable market for their produce. Additionally, the winery employs local residents, contributing to the region's economic development.

While securing a bottle of Naara Aaba outside of Arunachal Pradesh and neighboring Assam can be challenging due to transportation limitations, the journey to experience it firsthand is an adventure in itself. Arunachal Pradesh, with its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality, offers a unique travel experience. Imagine sipping on a glass of Naara Aaba amidst the breathtaking Himalayan landscape – a truly unforgettable moment.

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Naara Aaba's story is an inspiration. It showcases the power of local innovation, the importance of sustainable practices, and the potential of a community working together to create something truly special. So, next time you're searching for a unique and refreshing wine experience, remember Naara Aaba, a taste of the Himalayas waiting to be discovered.


Arabian Delites Opens Its 6th Outlet in Delhi with a New Cloud Kitchen in Vasant Kunj

Arabian Delites Opens Its 6th Outlet in Delhi with a New Cloud Kitchen in Vasant Kunj

By Hariharan U

Published on December 4, 2025

Arabian Delites has wrapped up 2025 with a major milestone as the brand opens its newest cloud kitchen in Vasant Kunj, marking its 6th outlet and 3rd cloud kitchen in Delhi. The launch strengthens the brand’s delivery network and brings its well-loved Middle Eastern flavours to yet another neighbourhood in the capital.

Founded in 1994 by K.D. Singh, Arabian Delites has spent over three decades building a strong reputation for flavour-forward, wholesome, and authentic Lebanese food. From shawarmas and doners to hummus bowls and falafels, the brand has remained consistent in offering meals that balance taste with a clean, health-first approach, a key reason behind its loyal customer base across Delhi-NCR.

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The year 2025 proved transformational for the brand. Arabian Delites doubled its team size, upgraded tech systems for smoother operations, and expanded its store count, laying a strong foundation for efficient national growth. The menu also expanded with new offerings, including traditional Middle Eastern desserts like Baklavas, giving customers more reasons to indulge.

The new Vasant Kunj kitchen continues this momentum. Designed to serve high delivery demand without compromising quality, the outlet will offer the full menu across major food delivery platforms. Customers can enjoy signature dishes such as doners, shawarmas, rice bowls, hummus, falafels, and desserts prepared fresh in a modern cloud-kitchen format.

Speaking about the expansion, Mandeep Singh, Director, Arabian Delites, said, “We are excited to continue expanding our reach across Delhi-NCR with this launch. With a solid foundation built in 2025, we are now well-prepared to scale responsibly across India as sustainable growth is more important to us than overnight expansion.”

Looking ahead, Arabian Delites has ambitious plans. The brand aims to reach 100 outlets by 2028 and is set to double its store count in 2026, moving steadily towards a pan-India presence


Daysie MG Road Unveils a Classic British Christmas Menu for the Festive Season

Daysie MG Road Unveils a Classic British Christmas Menu for the Festive Season

By Hariharan U

Published on December 4, 2025

Bengaluru is set for a cosy and classic Christmas this year as Daysie MG Road rolls out its British-inspired festive menu. With warm flavours, indulgent plates, and handcrafted holiday cocktails, the menu brings together comfort, nostalgia, and a little festive sparkle — just right for December gatherings in the city.

The menu opens with the Truffle Parsnip Velouté, a silky, earthy soup finished with chive oil and hazelnut crumble, a simple, elegant start to the meal.

Small plates bring comforting favourites with a gourmet twist. The Spinach & Ricotta Croquettes come crisp and creamy, paired with a light touch of honey and cranberry. The Duck Carpaccio adds a fresh, bright note with pickled pear and orange gel, while the Moroccan Lamb Cigars deliver bold, spiced warmth with a smoky harissa mayo.

For mains, the kitchen keeps the mood festive and hearty. The Spinach, Mushroom & Citrus Ricotta Cannelloni packs soft, clean, herb-forward flavours. Meat lovers can choose the Five-Spice Roast Duck, glazed with rosemary-plum and served with mushroom ragout and sautéed spinach. The Pork Chop with Mustard–Maple Glaze brings a sweet-savory balance with red cabbage and roasted Brussels sprouts.

Desserts stay true to the season. The Roasted Fig & Honey-Thyme Tart blends warm figs, mascarpone, and pistachio, while the Christmas Spiced Pavlova comes chai-kissed with bourbon-vanilla cream and winter fruits.

Alongside the food, Daysie presents a festive cocktail lineup. Classics like Eggnog and Mulled Wine bring familiar holiday warmth, while signatures such as Santa’s Little Secret, North Pole Adas, and the spiced Christmas Fashioned add playful indulgence to the celebrations.

With cosy flavours, festive drinks, and a warm Christmas mood, Daysie MG Road sets the perfect table for the season.


CYK Hospitalities Launches LANY, a Fresh and Modern Dessert QSR in Gurugram

CYK Hospitalities Launches LANY, a Fresh and Modern Dessert QSR in Gurugram

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 4, 2025

CYK Hospitalities, one of India’s well-known F&B consultancies, has launched its newest dessert QSR creation, LANY, at Ambience Mall in Gurugram. The brand brings a fresh, youthful, global-inspired take to India’s dessert scene and highlights CYK Hospitalities’ ability to build innovative models within this category.

LANY takes its name and personality from the cultural energy shared between Los Angeles and New York. The founders, Sanchita Sarin and Harsh Sarin, drew from their travels and mutual love for desserts to shape the brand’s identity, visuals and overall vibe. Their idea was to blend global inspiration with flavours and formats that feel instantly lovable in India.

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The menu brings together soft-serve desserts, stick waffles and its standout offering Taiyaki Cones. By positioning Taiyaki as its hero product, LANY steps into a niche space that connects familiar international formats with a modern appeal for Indian consumers.

Throughout the brand-building journey, CYK Hospitalities worked closely with the founders, offering support in conceptualization, menu planning, hiring, training, location selection and complete design direction. The aim was to create a seamless brand story that carries LANY’s multicultural inspiration effortlessly.

Sanchita Sarin shares, “LANY is built on a feeling that desserts should lift you instantly. We wanted to create something that has a global soul but is deeply lovable in India, simple, joyful, and instantly repeatable. CYK Hospitalities helped us convert this emotion into a brand that truly speaks to what we dreamt. CYK Hospitalities has been with us in forming this from the inner core to the outer covering, every minute detail, layer, and decision. We together have an entity that is globally connected yet India-specific.”

Speaking about the collaboration, Pulkit Arora, Director and Culinary Expert, CYK Hospitalities says, “The desserts category requires very clear, quick, and pleasant communication. With LANY, we aimed at making it large, sharp, and emotionally sticky. The whole conception was to form a dessert personality that consumers will very easily recall and very naturally come back to.”

Simran Jeet Singh, Director, CYK Hospitalities adds, "The choice of location is the point where the brand story starts. Ambience Mall is enabling LANY to reach out directly to the people who already like experiential global formats, thus making this concept very favourable for high conversions and repeat takes. This is the kind of placement that starts to lend brand equity right from day one, and at the same time, prepares the ground for the whole country to expand."

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