It’s a pleasant morning in Grandma’s house, and the aroma of freshly cooked breakfast filled the air. Grandma has made upma and pesarattu. She set the plates on the table and before calling her grandkids, she mixed water and allam pachadi with gentle swirls and set it next to me.

“Breakfast is ready!!” she called out.

The grandchildren came running in, to enjoy the breakfast.

“I want more Allam Pachadi, Ammamma!” Shruti asked, waiting for Grandma to serve.

“Can I have Tomato Pachadi with my upma?” Gargi asked, wiping her plate clean of pesarattu.

“It’s on the table, Gargi. Serve it yourself but be careful, the jar is fragile.”, Grandma cautioned from the kitchen.

Gargi nodded, curiously reaching for each jars. She sniffed the Bellam Avakaya first, but set it aside smelling the sweet and spicy aroma. Then she tried Magaya, but it wasn’t what she was looking for. Finally, she found the Tomato Pachadi, scooped a bit onto her plate,smiling ear to ear.

Yeah! That’s me! The tomato Pachadi of this house.

After breakfast, the kids left the table, leaving us, the jars of pickles on the table.

The Pickle talk

“Are you comfortable in that steel cup?” Bellam Avakaya asked Allam Pachadi with concern in her voice.

“Oh, I am fine,” said Allam Pachadi casually. “The kids nearly finished me anyway.”

“I feel so uneasy whenever I am placed in a steel jar or a bowl”, Magaya said, adjusting herself in the glass jar.

“I too wanted to ask. Are you okay?”I asked pitching in. “Where do they store you, usually?”, I added.

“In a plastic pouch for now,” replied Allam Pachadi.

The other pickles gasped. “A plastic pouch?!” exclaimed Bellam Avakaya. “We are supposed to be in ceramic or glass jars”

“Relax, everyone. Grandma’s elder sister sent me all the way from Delhi in that bag. It’s comfortable. By the way she too makes the  best pickles”, Allam pachadi revealed.

Myth: It is not safe to store pickles in plastic jars

“Are plastic bags even safe?” asked Magaya, raising an eyebrow.

“Well,” Allam Pachadi explained, “We veg pickles are acidic by nature. If stored in reactive materials like aluminum or steel, our taste can change, and our longevity decreases. But when it comes to food grade plastic, ceramic, or glass jars, they are completely safe and don’t interfere with our authentic flavours”

“Oh! The secret is to avoid reactive materials”, I nodded.

“Exactly,” Allam Pachadi continued. “But there’s another note on how we are handled during meals.”

“Wait, wait—I know this one!” I shouted with excitement. “No touching us with hands or fingers, right?”

“That’s partial,” Allam Pachadi said with a smile. “Anything used to scoop us out must be completely free of moisture. That is why hands and fingers are not allowed—they often carry moisture or tiny dirt that can spoil us. Clean, dry, and sterile spoons should be used.”

“That explains why Grandma is always so careful!” exclaimed Bellam Avakaya.

Myth: Pickles are spicy, hot and sour

The conversation turned to flavours in the pickle world.

“You know, I never knew sweet pickles existed till I met bellam avakaya here”, I began recalling my first memories.

“Oh, I get that a lot,” she said. “Most people think pickles are either spicy or tangy. I bring the perfect harmony of flavours to every meal - hot, tangy, spicy and sweet. And yet... people don’t recognize me enough!”, sighed Bellam avakaya.

“Not at all,” Magaya assured her. “Your sweetness makes you special. You are not just a pickle, you are an experience”.

“Really? Do you think so?”asked bellam avakaya.

“Absolutely,” Magaya reassured. “Grandma’s table wouldn’t be the same without you. You elevate every meal.”

Myth: Only grandmothers can make the perfect pickle

“I think Grandma makes the best telugu pickles,” I declared, looking at the delicious flavours sitting on the dining table.

“Not all of us are Grandma-made, though,” Avakaya revealed with a smile.

“What?!” I turned to her. “Who made you?”

“Grandma’s nephew, Ananthnarayan,” she replied casually.

The rest of us gasped in surprise.

“But... you’re one of the most praised pickles here!” Magaya exclaimed in confusion.

“Here’s the secret—it’s not just about who makes the pickle, it’s about how it is made. Grandma’s pickles taste extraordinary because she follows traditional methods passed down for generations. She pours in so much love, care, and attention to detail. Her pickles are the best because they hold love and the essence of tradition.”

We all nodded in agreement, reminiscing the effort Grandma put into pickle making.

“But,” Avakaya continued, “that doesn’t mean only grandmas can make great pickles. Anyone with passion, patience, and practice can master this art”

“Oh, so the magic isn’t just in the hands—it’s in the heart and the process,” Magaya said thoughtfully.

“Exactly,” Bellam Avakaya said. “When someone respects the traditional ways, takes time to understand the craft, and puts in love and care, their pickles can be just as delicious as Grandma’s.”

Myth: Store bought pickles are not safe

“These days, so many stores sell pickles online. Do you think they are as safe as the homemade ones?” Magaya asked.

“It’s not about where a pickle is made—it’s about how it’s made. The key lies in the quality of the ingredients, the process followed, and the hygiene maintained. Even homemade pickles can turn unsafe if these are not taken care of.”

“But, only homemade pickles are made with love and care,” Magaya repeated.

“True. Homemade pickles are special because of the love poured into them. But some brands today are recreating that same magic, with traditional methods and commitment to quality. They use authentic ingredients, maintain a hygiene environment, and no preservatives, ensuring every jar feels as magical as Grandma would make.”

“Really?” Magaya exclaimed. “Do you know any brands like that?”

“Jandhyala Foods, for example. Every jar is a perfect blend of love, authenticity and flavours.”

Myth: Pickles don’t have nutritional value

“Good, they are not adding preservatives to us,” I said with relief. “Otherwise, people would have found another reason to avoid us.”

“Another reason? What excuse do people have to not have us?” Magaya asked, puzzled. “We elevate every meal we are part of!”

“Well,” Tomato Pachadi sighed, “some people think we don’t have any nutritional value.”

“That’s such a myth!” Allam Pachadi exclaimed. “I am great for digestion because of the ginger in me.”

“And mango pickles like me are good in vitamin A,” Magaya added.

“Not to forget, lemon and amla pickles are packed with vitamin C,” Bellam Avakaya added.

“Also, we are fermented,” Tomato Pachadi added. “That means we have probiotics, which are good for gut health!”

Magaya nodded in agreement. “People should understand—moderation is key. We bring joy and goodness to the table”

Pickles Are Love

As the pickles chatted away, they realized how much they meant to the family.

“We are more than just food,” Magaya said thoughtfully. “Not just flavours, we hold tradition, memories, and a little bit of magic at every meal.”

“Exactly,” said Bellam Avakaya. “And thanks to Grandma, we will always be made with love.”

The jars sat happily on the table awaiting the next meal to be made delicious.