Our Story
The realization hit us like a punch to the gut!
"This can't be right," I muttered, staring at the lab reports spread across the table. My two friends leaned in closer.
"But it is," Glint replied, his finger tracing the list of adulterants found in what we'd been told was "premium" coffee. "And according to our surveys, people have just... accepted it."
That moment became the foundation of Pepper Deer. Not because we were looking to start a business, but because we couldn't unsee what we'd discovered.
The Bitter Truth
Our journey began after studying abroad, we returned to India craving the vibrant flavours and quality we'd been missing in Europe. What we found instead was food that looked right but is wrong.
Curiosity turned to concern. Concern to investigation.
"You know what shocked me the most during our consumer interviews?" Priyanshu said "It wasn't just the adulteration, it was how normalized it's become. People literally said, 'Of course there's preservatives in our food. What did you expect?'"
We expected better. We deserve better. India deserves better.
So we dug deeper. We spoke with farmers who felt pressured to use chemicals they couldn't pronounce. We interviewed food processors who admitted to "industry standard practices" that made our stomachs turn. We consulted experts who confirmed our worst fears: food adulteration wasn't the exception in India. It had become the norm.
Our Three Pillars
That night, Pepper Deer was born, built on three uncompromising pillars:
Trust: Complete transparency in our sourcing, processing, and testing. No hidden ingredients, no hidden practices.
Quality: Standards that exceed industry norms, because "industry norms" had failed us.
Catalogue: Building a one-stop destination of true food so you never have to take chances with what you put on your table.
Why Coffee First?
We started with coffee because it's where our expertise lies. One of our co-founders grew up on these very coffee farms, understanding the intricacies of cultivation and processing. This deep connection allows us to deliver the purest coffee experience possible. But our vision extends far beyond a single product. While we're meticulously testing and developing our product line, we're committed to creating a complete ecosystem of true food that eliminates the need to compromise on any essentials in your kitchen.
Our Approach
Our first meetings with suppliers were disheartening.
"Nobody does it this way," we heard repeatedly. "It's too expensive. Consumers won't pay for purity they can't see."
We disagreed. Fundamentally.
So we built our own way. We partnered directly with farmers, eliminating middlemen who might introduce adulterants. We implemented testing protocols at every stage of production. We invested in processes that preserve natural flavours instead of masking them with additives.
And most importantly, we refused to accept that food adulteration was somehow inevitable.
Our Promise to you
We're a statement against the status quo. A commitment to bringing real food back to your table. Pure, natural, and full of life.
Our vision is simple yet unwavering. We strive to become the most trusted brand in India
When you choose Pepper Deer, you join a movement that says food adulteration stops with us. That transparency isn't optional. That "True Food" isn't a marketing slogan. It's a non-negotiable standard.
Because what you put into your body matters. What you serve your family matters. And we won't compromise on that. Not now. Not ever.
Welcome to Pepper Deer. Welcome to True Food.
Meet The Team
Niloy Mehta
Niloy brings Strategic leadership to Pepper Deer with consulting expertise from Kakode Associates, technical acumen from VIT, and a Master's from IE Business School.
Glint Ace Kuriakose
Glint leads operations at Pepper Deer, bringing project management experience from Boult Audio and analytical expertise from IE Business School and BIT.
Priyanshu Gupta
Priyanshu leads Marketing at Pepper Deer with brand growth expertise from his experience at E-Blu and a global outlook from his time at Alliance Manchester Business School and HR College.
Saji Paul
Saji drives Pepper Deer's vision with entrepreneurial expertise from founding Olappurakkal Foods and co-founding Vayuu Bahrain.
