NDFC(I) announces the 2nd Edition of MEWA 2025, a three-day exhibition for Nuts and Dry Fruits

NDFC(I) announces the 2nd Edition of MEWA 2025, a three-day exhibition for Nuts and Dry Fruits

By Author

Published on January 23, 2025

The Nuts and Dry Fruits Council of India (NDFC[I]) proudly announces the 2nd edition of MEWA 2025, a groundbreaking three-day B2B exhibition dedicated to the nuts and dry fruits industry. Scheduled from February 12th to 14th, 2025, at the Jio Convention Center in Mumbai, this event promises to redefine the industry’s trajectory by fostering innovation, collaboration, and growth.

Key Highlights of MEWA 2025:

  • Over 300 exhibitors from 50+ countries, including major markets like the USA, Chile, Iran, Turkey, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.

  • Expansive exhibition space of 10,000+ square meters showcasing diverse offerings.

  • Focus on addressing key industry challenges and opportunities, particularly in the Indian market.

  • Projections of the dry fruits market reaching $12 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 18%.

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Industry Insights 

Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Yash Gawdi, Co-Chairperson of MEWA 2025, highlighted the importance of the event, stating: “The dry fruits market is set to witness exponential growth, driven by increased consumer awareness and demand for health-conscious products. MEWA 2025 aims to tackle industry challenges, enhance visibility, and establish global partnerships.”

Mr. Gunjan Jain, President of NDFC(I), emphasized the need for focused efforts in streamlining the sector: “India is among the top 10 producers of walnuts, with Kerala and Karnataka leading in cashew production. However, issues like land fragmentation and high interest rates hinder large-scale farming. MEWA 2025 is a pivotal initiative to bring industry stakeholders together and address these challenges through innovation and collaboration.”

Building on the Success of the 1st Edition

The inaugural MEWA event in 2024 was a resounding success, attracting 6,000 visitors and featuring 130+ exhibitors from 20 countries. With an impressive 80% business conversion rate, MEWA 2024 set a high benchmark for trade and networking opportunities. The 2nd edition aims to elevate these achievements, offering an even more vibrant platform for showcasing products, sharing insights, and forging partnerships.

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Trends in Health-Conscious Consumption

Highlighting current consumer trends, Mr. Deepak Agarwal, Secretary of NDFC(I), remarked: “As 91% of Indians seek nutritious alternatives, the demand for nuts and dry fruits continues to surge. MEWA 2025 is designed to bridge gaps in the industry, addressing consumer needs with innovative and sustainable solutions.”

To promote health-conscious choices, MEWA 2025 will collaborate with Indian cricketers and Bollywood stars to endorse the benefits of nuts and dry fruits, aiming to inspire younger generations toward healthier lifestyles.

Industry Initiatives and Future Outlook

MEWA 2025 will also focus on sustainability and production enhancement. Key initiatives include:

  • Walnut plantation drives in Chakrata, Uttarakhand.

  • Collaboration with AICA to sign an MOU for cashew plantation and plant distribution.

  • Strategies to boost international participation and streamline industry practices.

NDFC(I) remains committed to unifying the sector and providing a robust platform for growth, innovation, and sustainability. “The goal is not only to elevate the industry but also to celebrate the diversity and richness of nuts, dates, and dry fruits in India,” added Mr. Jain.

About MEWA 2025

Website: https://mewaindia.in/

MEWA 2025 is an international platform spotlighting the latest advancements in research, innovation, production, trade, and consumption within the nuts and dry fruits sector. With participants from 50+ countries, 300+ exhibitors, and 10,000+ attendees, MEWA 2025 promises to be the premier showcase of the industry’s finest offerings.

About NDFC(I)

Website: https://ndfci.org/

The Nuts and Dry Fruits Council of India (NDFC[I]) serves as the unified voice for stakeholders across the nuts, dry fruits, seeds, raisins, berries, and dates industries in India. From growers to processors and distributors, NDFC(I) fosters unity and collaboration to drive progress and innovation.

Join us at MEWA 2025 to be part of this transformative journey, shaping the future of the nuts and dry fruits industry while celebrating its vibrant heritage.


Éntisi Chocolatier Launches Official Harry Potter-Inspired Chocolate Collection in India

Éntisi Chocolatier Launches Official Harry Potter-Inspired Chocolate Collection in India

By Hariharan U

Published on August 3, 2026

Éntisi Chocolatier has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to introduce an officially licensed Harry Potter-inspired premium chocolate collection in India, marking the brand's entry into the licensed chocolate category.

Inspired by iconic confectionery treats and memorable elements from the Harry Potter films, the collection includes Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Chocolates, Chocolate Frogs, Hogwarts House Chocolates, and the Platform 9¾ Hogwarts Express Bar. Each product has been designed with custom-developed moulds and packaging inspired by the Wizarding World, accompanied by collectible keepsake cards that encourage fans to build their own collection.

Priced from ₹129, the collection will be available through Éntisi's boutiques in Mumbai and Pune, dark stores across Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, and Bengaluru, the brand's official website, and exclusively on quick commerce platform Blinkit.

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The launch began on 28 July, with celebrations building towards Harry Potter's birthday on 31 July, targeting fans, collectors, teenagers, and gifting audiences.

Commenting on the launch, Nikki Thakker, Founder & CEO, Éntisi Chocolatier, said, "This collaboration is incredibly personal for me. Like millions of people, I grew up on Harry Potter, the books and the films both. The opportunity to reimagine some of its most iconic elements from scratch and bring them to India is something I never imagined would become reality."

She added, "Beyond the nostalgia, this collaboration represents a defining milestone for Éntisi. Collaborating with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products in India is a tremendous validation of the craftsmanship, quality, and ambition we've spent years building. Every mould in this collection has been custom developed exclusively for Harry Potter because we wanted every detail to feel authentic."

The launch also marks Éntisi's strategic expansion into the licensed chocolate segment, which the company views as a key long-term growth opportunity. Over the coming year, the brand plans to strengthen its presence in Delhi and Bengaluru, while its five-year roadmap includes pan-India retail expansion, a stronger presence at international airports, wider quick-commerce accessibility, and future Harry Potter-inspired seasonal collections.

Founded in 2017, Éntisi Chocolatier has built its reputation through handcrafted luxury chocolates, offering signature bonbons, dragees, and seasonal collections crafted using premium ingredients sourced globally.


Loya at Taj Palace New Delhi Unveils New Menu Celebrating North India's Culinary Heritage

Loya at Taj Palace New Delhi Unveils New Menu Celebrating North India's Culinary Heritage

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 3, 2026

Loya at Taj Palace, New Delhi has unveiled a thoughtfully curated new menu that continues its journey of exploring the culinary traditions of North India. Built on extensive research, regional travel and interactions with local communities, the latest menu showcases authentic recipes, time-honoured cooking techniques and immersive dining experiences that celebrate the rich food heritage of the region.

Inspired by Loya's philosophy of discovering lesser-known culinary stories, the menu has been developed through extensive journeys across North India's villages, mountains and hinterlands. The culinary team documented recipes from home kitchens, regional cooks and traditional practitioners, preserving not only the ingredients and techniques but also the cultural narratives behind each dish.

The new menu reflects the diversity of North India's culinary landscape, with dishes inspired by Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir and the Dogra region. Each creation captures the traditions, seasonal ingredients and local practices that have been passed down through generations.

Traditional cooking methods remain at the heart of the dining experience. Techniques such as dhungar (smoke infusion), slow cooking and hand-pounding of spices have been carefully incorporated to preserve the authenticity and depth of flavour while presenting the dishes with contemporary refinement.

Among the highlights is Fazilka Launji Chaat, inspired by Punjab's border districts, alongside Bhey Kebab, a lotus stem delicacy from the Dogra region. Guests can also savour Doaba Mutton Curry, showcasing the rich flavours of Punjab's fertile plains, while Karari Phillauri Macchi presents freshwater fish with contrasting textures.

The menu further explores the Himalayan region through dishes such as Sirmouri Murg, prepared using fermented yoghurt and regional raw turmeric, and Yaji Wangun, a traditional Kashmiri preparation pairing walnut dumplings with baby brinjal in an aromatic gravy.

Complementing the main dishes are regional accompaniments including Tehar, a culturally significant Kashmiri rice preparation, and Bedwa Kulcha, a Himachali-style stuffed kulcha filled with spiced kulth dal that reflects the earthy flavours of the Pahadi region.

Adding an interactive element to the dining experience, Loya has introduced Kulfa, inspired by the streets of Amritsar. Presented tableside, the dessert combines phirni, frozen reduced milk, rabri and rose into a theatrical finale that blends nostalgia with culinary craftsmanship.

Commenting on the launch, Taljinder Singh, Senior Vice President & Brand Custodian, IHCL, said, "Since its inception, Loya has remained obsessed with uncovering the untold food stories of the North. Through years of immersive research, our journeys have taken us deep into villages, the hinterlands, and the foothills and mountains of the Himalayas, documenting the food of the foot soldiers, farming communities and local households whose culinary traditions have endured through generations. This new menu is a continuation of that enduring pursuit, celebrating the richness of the North with authenticity, integrity and profound respect for its origins."

Sharing his thoughts on the culinary journey behind the menu, Rajesh Wadhwa, Grand Master Chef, Loya, said, "This menu is shaped by our journeys into the interiors of the North, by listening, observing and learning from those who continue to cook these dishes in their most authentic form. Our approach has always been to bring these stories to the table with care, while preserving their essence."

With its latest menu, Loya continues to strengthen its position as a destination for regional culinary exploration, offering guests an experience that goes beyond dining by bringing together heritage, craftsmanship and authentic storytelling through every dish.


Tipsy Tiger Garden Bar Brings Authentic Balinese Flavours to Mumbai with Limited-Time Bali Food Festival

Tipsy Tiger Garden Bar Brings Authentic Balinese Flavours to Mumbai with Limited-Time Bali Food Festival

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 3, 2026

Tipsy Tiger Garden Bar has introduced its latest culinary showcase with the launch of the Bali Food Festival, bringing the vibrant flavours and culinary traditions of Indonesia's tropical island to Mumbai. As part of its popular Across Asia series, the limited-time festival offers diners an authentic taste of Balinese cuisine through a thoughtfully curated menu inspired by the island's street food, home-style recipes and aromatic spices.

Following the success of its Korean food festival, the restaurant continues its exploration of Asia's diverse culinary landscape by recreating Bali's signature dishes, from comforting broths and charcoal-grilled delicacies to rich coconut curries and tropical desserts.

The festival begins with traditional soups, including the Balinese Pumpkin Coconut Soup and Soto Ayam Bali, offering warm, aromatic flavours that reflect the island's culinary heritage. Guests can also enjoy fresh and vibrant salads such as the Pomelo Bali Salad and Prawn Mango Bali Salad, showcasing Bali's emphasis on tropical produce and citrus-infused flavours.

The appetiser selection features a variety of authentic Balinese favourites, including Charcoal-Grilled Cottage Cheese Satay, Jagung Corn Fritters, Chicken Satay Lilit wrapped around fragrant lemongrass stalks, Fish Cakes Bali, and Kepiting Bumbu Bali, a traditional crab preparation cooked in a rich chilli and spice-based sauce.

The main course menu highlights the comforting flavours of Balinese home cooking. Signature dishes include Jackfruit Curry, Eggplant Sambal Curry, Massaman Curry, Seafood Kari Bali, and Lamb Rendang Bali Style, each prepared using coconut milk, aromatic herbs and traditional island spices.

For guests seeking a complete Balinese dining experience, the Bali Feast Platter offers an assortment of satays, nasi goreng, sambal, stir-fried greens, salads and crackers. Seafood lovers can opt for the Island Seafood Grill Plate, featuring grilled prawns, fish, squid, coconut rice and the classic sambal matah.

The culinary journey concludes with a selection of traditional desserts, including Dadar Gulung Coconut Crepe, Black Rice Coconut Pudding, Fried Banana with Palm Sugar Ice Cream, and the refreshing Es Cendol, one of Southeast Asia's most popular chilled desserts.

Commenting on the festival, Ewa Valia, Assistant Marketing Manager at Tipsy Tiger Garden Bar, said, "The response to our Across Asia series has been incredibly encouraging. Mumbai's diners are clearly eager to explore Asian cuisines beyond the familiar. After Korea, Bali felt like the natural next step, especially with the monsoon in full swing. There's something about rainy days in Mumbai that makes you crave Bali's warmth, its coconut curries and its comforting broths. We wanted to bring not just the flavours but the island's easy, laid-back spirit to the table, right when the city needs it most."

With its immersive menu inspired by Bali's rich culinary traditions, the Bali Food Festival offers Mumbai diners an opportunity to experience the island's vibrant food culture without leaving the city. The festival continues Tipsy Tiger Garden Bar's commitment to celebrating authentic Asian cuisines through thoughtfully curated dining experiences that blend tradition, flavour and cultural discovery.

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