Team

JP - Founder/Creative Catalyst

I grew up in the aromatic hills of Shillong, where my family’s roots run deep in farming. Some of the farmers we work with today are the children of those my parents knew—our connection to them is generational, and their dedication to the land is something I deeply admire. These farmers, with their traditional knowledge and sustainable practices, are the heart of what LivingRoots stands for.

For me, bringing our products to market is about much more than just selling spices—it's about sharing the stories of the farmers and celebrating their extraordinary efforts. For us, 'harvest to table' is more than just a phrase; it’s a commitment to honoring the farmers' work and ensuring their products reach people who appreciate authenticity as much as we do.

In the US, I've often struggled to find the fresh spices I grew up with. Many people don’t realize how disconnected supermarket spices are from their origins, often lacking the richness and authenticity I know so well. That’s why, at LivingRoots, we are devoted to bringing you spices that carry the same quality, purity, and story behind them.

As a Founder of LivingRoots, I strive to ensure that everything we do is infused with purpose. Our spices are more than ingredients—they are a bridge between generations, cultures, and the love of the land.

John - Founder/Visionary

Tea’s not just a drink; it’s a piece of my heritage, always there, like a familiar friend. But look around—the big tea names don’t tell our Asian story. That got me thinking, why not? Living in the US for decades, but with roots in Asia has helped me to realize that we’ve got to do more than just wonder. It’s on us, this generation, to step up and create something that screams ‘this is us’.

​Living Roots isn’t your typical Asian tea label. We’re writing the new story of the Asian American experience, a blend of the east and west. And what better way than through authentic teas and spices. Being a minority here comes with its challenges, navigating through a world where we sometimes feel out of place.

​I want Living Roots to be a shout-out to our next gen—stay bold, stay you, stay Asian American proud. Let’s inspire them to dream big and own it. We’re here to stand out, not just blend in.

Arun - The IT Guy

I come from a family with a long history in farming and cultivation. My Thatha (grandpa) was a farmer as were his fathers before him. I am passionate about two things: solving the direct market access problem and the fair price problem.

Spice and Tea trade generally follow the commoditized factory model – buy at cheapest rates from farmers with inconsistent production quality and mix and sell to the retail market. The farmer rarely gets to tell the story of their trade – Living Roots’ mission is to change that paradigm.

We buy directly from the farmer and at a fair price. My Thatha often sold his produce at non-transparent "market rates" to wholesale merchants and the profits were barely sufficient to service the debts he incurred to buy seeds for the next year’s crop or undertake capital expenditures like fixing his irrigation system. This vicious cycle ultimately bankrupted him and he lost everything. This is an all too familiar story in India.

Know that every product you buy and enjoy from our store was bought ethically, fairly paid and was grown using sustainable techniques. It is the best Living Roots can do to keep alive a farming tradition as old as commerce itself.

Kiran - The Sourcer

In my day job, I am an obstetrician-physician. When I am not bringing new babies to this world, you might find me busy hiking the remote hills of the Western Ghats or the Himalayas studying exotic trees and shrubs. I like to think that I have deep expertise in local cultures and be aware of cultural sensitivities (it’s basically a job requirement for a physician/doctor in India); I speak 5 languages and I am deeply committed to an equitable planet, the health of our rivers and water bodies.

Hailing from a family of a generation of farmers, I am the first in my family to attend college. I am also interested in bringing the Harvest to Table movement to the farmers I meet in distant communities. I specialize in saffron, chilis and bespoke spices from the vale of Kashmir to the foothills of the Vindhya range. Since I moonlight as an amateur botanist, I take special pleasure in identifying the various cultivars across India