About the Founder
Sometimes, life's biggest setbacks open the door to unexpected opportunities. That is exactly what happened to Brijith Krishnan, a mechanical engineer from Kannur, Kerala. After spending years working as a supervisor in an IT company, he suddenly lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, his family's traditional cashew farming business was also suffering because unseasonal rains were destroying the harvest.
With no stable income and a family to support, Brijith had two choices, wait for another job or build something of his own. He chose the second.
The Problem That Sparked an Idea
Growing up in a family of cashew farmers, Brijith had seen one painful reality every season. Whenever heavy rains soaked harvested cashews, processing factories refused to buy them because of their poor quality. Tonnes of produce went to waste, leaving farmers with huge losses.
At the same time, Brijith noticed another growing trend. More people were switching to vegetarian and vegan diets, yet there were very few protein-rich natural food options available.
That was the moment everything clicked. Instead of treating wet cashews as waste, why not transform them into a healthier product?
The Birth of Eatery Malabarikas
In 2021, Brijith launched Eatery Malabarikas LLP, a startup focused on producing sprouted cashew-based foods.
But the journey wasn't easy.
Cashews naturally lose their germination ability within a short period, making year-round production almost impossible. Rather than giving up, Brijith spent months researching alongside experts from Kerala Agricultural University and other food research institutions.
After continuous trials, he developed a patented technology that increased the germination period of cashews from around 90 days to nearly 200 days.
What was once considered damaged produce had suddenly become the foundation of a completely new food category.
Building a Brand Through Innovation
Instead of selling ordinary cashews, Eatery Malabarikas focused on creating value-added products.
The company introduced sprouted cashew pickles, soup premixes, butter masala, Manchurian, salads, curries, milkshakes, chocolates, and several other protein-rich products specially designed for health-conscious consumers.
To preserve nutrition while extending shelf life, Brijith adopted advanced Japanese retort technology, allowing ready-to-eat products to remain fresh without compromising quality.
Today, the startup supplies its products to hotels, food companies, and customers across Kerala, Bengaluru, and Mumbai while also selling through Amazon, IndiaMART, and JioMart.
Empowering Farmers Instead of Competing With Them
For Brijith, the business was never just about selling healthy food.
His startup purchases wet cashews directly from local farmers, produce that was once rejected by factories, and converts them into premium products.
This simple innovation has helped reduce food waste while creating an additional source of income for farming families.
He also provides free training to aspiring farmers and entrepreneurs who want to build businesses around cashew processing, helping more rural communities benefit from the idea.
The Growth Story
What began as an idea born during unemployment has steadily grown into a successful agrifood venture.
Today, Eatery Malabarikas serves customers across multiple Indian cities, supports local cashew farmers, and recorded an annual turnover of around Rs 25 lakh in FY2024. The venture also received a Rs 25 lakh grant under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), helping it expand its research and production capabilities.
More Than a Startup
Brijith's journey proves that innovation doesn't always require cutting-edge technology or massive funding. Sometimes, it simply means looking at an old problem with a fresh perspective.
While many saw rain-damaged cashews as waste, Brijith saw an opportunity to create healthier food, reduce agricultural losses, and support farming communities at the same time.
His story is a reminder that resilience, curiosity, and purpose can turn even the toughest setbacks into meaningful businesses, one sprouted cashew at a time.
