From the Heart of Meghalaya ~ The Journey Behind Every Cup

Women Farmers working in the fields of Meghalaya

Into the Mist

Not all journeys are planned. Some are guided by a quiet calling—a longing to give love, honour tradition, and find meaning in every step. My recent trip to Meghalaya, the “abode of clouds,” was exactly that: a journey to deepen my understanding of what truly makes Emaya Pure Life so special.

My journey began with a bumpy landing at Assam airport—one of those arrivals that shakes you awake and reminds you that adventure rarely travels a straight line. It was already evening when I was met by my Ayurvedic doctor’s brother’s taxi driver friend—a connection that could only happen in India, where everyone seems to know someone who can help you on your way.

We set off together on a winding, three-and-a-half-hour drive into the hills, the road twisting through darkness and anticipation. By the time we reached Shillong, it was nearly 10pm. Despite the late hour, I felt a quiet thrill at having arrived.

But it was the next morning that truly took my breath away. I woke just as the mist was lifting, and there before me was Shillong City—spread out like a secret in the Himalayan foothills, floating between clouds and pine forests. The air was cool and fresh, scented with earth and possibility. I stood at the window, heart full, knowing this was only the beginning—a journey only I could make as the founder of Emaya Pure Life and a guardian of these ancient healing remedies.

Lakadong Turmeric Farmer of the Jaintia Hills

Women of the Hills

As I travelled deeper into the Jaintia Hills, I was welcomed by women farmers whose strength and warmth left me humbled. They led me through small, shaded plots where Lakadong turmeric and ginger grow side by side, nestled among trees, corn, and climbing beans. There are no chemicals, no shortcuts. Just hands in the soil, wisdom passed down, and a devotion that feels more like love than labour.

Our blends are rooted in women’s farming traditions passed down for generations.

One woman told me, “I put my heart and soul and whole life into this turmeric.” Those words stayed with me—not just as a memory, but as a promise. This is the farmer I have chosen to work closely with for Emaya’s future harvests. Her care, her pride, and her unwavering commitment to purity are the foundation of what I want to share with you.

Securing Authentic Lakadong

Lakadong turmeric is unlike any other. It grows only here, in this unique microclimate, holding up to 12% natural curcumin—over 5x more than common turmeric. Its rarity is the result of generations of careful stewardship, of land tended with patience and respect, from hands that know that what they tend to is a healing treasure.

The women shared stories that opened my eyes even further to the preciousness of true Lakadong turmeric. They told me how merchants sometimes take Lakadong tubers away—trying to grow them in cities, in distant fields, or even without soil. But no matter how closely they try to copy, the turmeric never develops the same rich curcumin content taste or purity as it does here in the Himalayan hills.

True Lakadong turmeric simply cannot be mass-produced or transplanted—its potency and spirit are born of this place and these people.

That’s why I am so committed to working directly with the women and farmers of Meghalaya—protecting not just a crop, but a legacy of care, trust, and the rarest healing power on earth.

Purity as a Promise

Here, purity isn’t a label—it’s a way of life. Every batch of turmeric is tested for quality and authenticity, with the help of Dr. Wada and her team at the food laboratory in Shillong.

Every batch is tested in Shillong for purity and authenticity.

During my week in Meghalaya, I spent time carefully testing turmeric for purity, texture, and flavour—working alongside the women to ensure that what we bring home will create the smoothest, most vibrant blend possible. My focus was on using raw turmeric, alive with its natural potency and gentle warmth. Every batch was touched, tasted, and tested with care, so that when you sip Emaya, you experience not just the golden colour, but the purity and smoothness that only true, raw Lakadong turmeric can offer.

A Wider Circle of Care

In the evenings, I would sit with a steaming cup of Turmerichai®, listening to the chorus of crickets and cicadas—a living symphony that reminded me of our connection. Our cups connect us across continents. Through our Sip to Thrive initiative, your support is helping keep children in school in India ~ and now, in Tanzania, moringa trees are taking root with the Maasai tribe, nourishing families for years to come.

Lakadong at a Glance

Where does it grow?
Only in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, India.

What makes it rare?
Unique microclimate, rich living soil, and centuries-old farming traditions.
Curcumin content: Up to 12% (most turmeric is 2–3%).

How is it grown?
Intercropped in small, shaded plots between trees—never in vast fields.

How is it tested?
Every batch is tested for purity and authenticity in Shillong.

The Love Story Continues

This isn’t just my story. It’s yours too. Every time you pause with a golden cup in your hands, you join a love story that stretches from the misty hills of Meghalaya to your own kitchen table.

It’s a story of women’s strength, of sacred land, of small choices that ripple outward. It’s a story of connection—between you and me, between us and the farmers, between the present and tradition. It’s a legacy, carried forward not just in words, but in every root, every ritual, every shared cup.

If this story speaks to you, taste it in your next cup of Turmerichai®. Or explore how your support helps Sip to Thrive make a difference.

So next time you sip, know that you are part of this love story. And from my heart, thank you for being in it.

With love,
Emma