As an immigrant, I grew up eating home cooked Indian meals like yellow dhal, saag, and aloo gobi. Despite being raised in England and America, I spent many summers in Punjab with Biji, my grandmother. Together we shared in our joy of food, whether eating gol-gappa from our favorite street vendor at Rainak Bazaar, sipping fresh mango lassi, or sneaking bites of kulfi from the hawkers who stopped outside our veranda.

Food is powerful; it's a reminder of your culture and identity. When I got more into camping and backpacking during the pandemic, I felt mentally freer than ever. But the food never felt like me. What existed was bland, diluted, or stripped of heritage. It made me realize just how often our culture gets left out, not just in the outdoors, but in many aspects of western culture.

When Biji passed away in 2022, I made a promise to build a new relationship with my roots. Panj River was born from that promise: a way to celebrate heritage while embracing my third-culture experience through snacks that feel as alive and joyful as the food I grew up with.

And so, Panj River was born.

Today, we're not just on the trail. We're here for everyday adventure, whether your hikes, your afternoon-slump-snack, your treat-yourself moment, or a healthy option for your kid. We celebrate our heritage - unapologetically, without compromise - through an exploration of f*cking good Indian snacks. Snacks that would make Biji proud.

Thanks for being here.