On the drive back home from the Trikaya farm in Talegaon, I felt deprived. Of fruit and vegetables. Not that I live in a desert. Like most people living in the city, I buy my vegetables from the local supermarkets and vegetable markets. Most times, I come home happy, thinking I have bought fresh produce. Other times, I know I am making a compromise; especially on exotics like herbs and fruits, knowing fully well that they’ve been sitting in commercial refrigerators for several hours before landing up in my shopping cart. It’s a price I am usually willing to pay.
On Samar Gupta’s idyllic farm in Talegaon, I realized what a bloody illusion I’m living in. I have been buying near-dehydrated, brown-stalked, thyme and inhaling its aromas as it roasts with my tomatoes, convincing myself that life is at its best. I have been buying brown-edged iceberg lettuce and dunking it in iced water to crisp it up. And I have been looking at those large packets of cellophane-wrapped dragon fruit with one eyebrow up, just happy that I now have access to exotic fruit from countries I have never seen. Hmph.
Minutes after our group of foodies reached the farm, Samar tore us away from admiring the tablefuls of freshly harvested produce to touring the farm. Whatever I say in order to describe the farm is going to be insufficient to convey to you, dear reader, what a treat it was. I hope my pictures do some justice in showing you a glimpse of the wonderful produce that one of India’s best exotic produce suppliers has on offer.
Great respect going out to Samar Gupta, who’s evidently so passionate about what he does, that his eyes sparkle as he talks about it. He educates you and makes you fall in love with his vegetables and fruits. He has a team of committed gentlemen who do the rounds of the 25-acre property several times a day and experiment with dehydration and preservation techniques. He’ll sit you down to a good meal, allow you to fiddle in his kitchen with his gorgeous vegetable gold, and offer you a nice pot of freshly brewed coffee at the end of it all. He’ll pack you off with goodies, and if you’re like me, you’ll wonder why you don’t live on the farm. And for several days after the trip, you’ll look at your supermarket’s veggie section with utter disdain, absolutely uninspired to cook.
Having said that, I shall return to my dreamy sighs and leave you with pictures to drool over. Thank you, Rushina, for inviting me to this trip.
So fun it was no! What a beautiful post! Love those tomatoes! And bread was all the husband, all I did was nag him for it! I just specialise in stuff that goes on the bread he bakes!
our pictures have turned out so awesome Im going to download this blog and keep staring at the pics whenever i feel nostalgic about the farm.. beautiful !
What a lovely venture! I am so dismayed to see the styrofoam trays and plastic wrap though 🙁 could they not come with a more environmentally friendly way to package their produce?
loved this post. i get to buy imported dragon fruit from thailand here… looking at the dragon fruit and kumquat pics, i think i am living in an illusory world 🙁
Thank you for such a lovely and valuable post. I simply love all the pics. Its so great effort and love what I see behind these lovely vegetables, fruits and flowers.
I like to visit this farm with my wife and kid. Is it possible to spend sometime there, if yes please let me know. I also like to eat some vegetables 🙂
Rushina November 3, 2011 at 3:11 am
So fun it was no! What a beautiful post! Love those tomatoes! And bread was all the husband, all I did was nag him for it! I just specialise in stuff that goes on the bread he bakes!
Prathibha November 3, 2011 at 3:18 am
wow…wat a trip!! it must have been fun in the farm…
i2cook November 3, 2011 at 3:19 am
Lovely pics Saee. Nothing can beat the farm fresh veggies on your plate. Looks like you guys had a lot of fun 🙂
Nikhil Merchant November 3, 2011 at 4:02 am
our pictures have turned out so awesome Im going to download this blog and keep staring at the pics whenever i feel nostalgic about the farm.. beautiful !
Rentu November 3, 2011 at 4:35 am
lovely pics, and you ppl surely had a great trip…
Nupur November 3, 2011 at 4:55 am
What a lovely venture! I am so dismayed to see the styrofoam trays and plastic wrap though 🙁 could they not come with a more environmentally friendly way to package their produce?
Anjali November 3, 2011 at 5:01 am
Beautiful naration and pics. I was with you all thru it 🙂
Shaheen [The Purple Foodie] November 7, 2011 at 5:17 am
Lovely! I'd bring back loads of goodies from the Trikaya shop at Crawford Market whenever I went there.
dassana April 3, 2012 at 11:13 am
loved this post. i get to buy imported dragon fruit from thailand here… looking at the dragon fruit and kumquat pics, i think i am living in an illusory world 🙁
Ruchi Negi June 25, 2012 at 7:20 am
What a magical land of beautiful fruits and herbs. Enjoyed all the pictures with a smile. Is this farm accessible to people?
Ravi Sharma January 23, 2015 at 1:43 am
Thank you for such a lovely and valuable post. I simply love all the pics. Its so great effort and love what I see behind these lovely vegetables, fruits and flowers.
I like to visit this farm with my wife and kid. Is it possible to spend sometime there, if yes please let me know. I also like to eat some vegetables 🙂
Rajiva Roy June 12, 2016 at 12:10 am
I want to visit TRIKAYA FARM IN Talegaon.Pls let me know how can I do that.I will be coming from Talegaon itself near CRPF colony on NH4 highway.
I am interested in farming in Raigad district.