Sugarless treats

Tsewang Sadutshang has always been a fitness enthusiast and believes you are what you eat and thus tries to eat healthy. But, last year, when she returned to Nepal after graduation, she realized that the Nepali market has very limited options when it comes to healthy food. This was what gave her the idea of promoting health and wellbeing through delicious drinks with no added sugar and preservatives.

But an idea is just that – an idea, till you work on it. And Sadutshang didn’t really know how to go about it till Sonam Shrestha, her friend and now co-owner of No Chini, returned to Nepal and wanted to partner with her to bring her idea to life. And No Chini was launched after four months of intensive research and evaluating the market to understand if their idea would be well received.

And indeed, No Chini has come to the Nepali market at a time when people are becoming increasingly health conscious and refined sugar has started getting a bad rep for all the health problems it leads to in the long run. Now, you can finally relish fresh juice and smoothies with no added sugar, thanks to No Chini.

Talking about the unique name of the brand, Sadutshang shares that they wanted it to be simple and catchy. However, it was actually her mother who suggested that the name should have a Nepali touch to it. And just like that, they came up with No Chini.

“Our motto is to serve everything fresh and healthy. So after making the juices and smoothies, they are taken to our stalls at various locations and after 24 hours if anything is left, we simply throw it away,” says Sadutshang adding that they have their own recipes and, though they primarily serve juices and smoothies, the menu varies according to the season. Also, they have their own special equipment that’s completely different from the juicers you see at local fruit vendors.

Another good thing about No Chini beverages is that the amounts of fruits, nuts, or dairy items are regulated precisely to manage nutrition and keep the calories in check too. And though the No Chini teams finds it challenging to make just the right quantity of products that is consumed on a daily basis so as to minimize wastage, they have been receiving good reviews from customers and that makes them want to cater to more people and expand their business.

At the moment, No Chini products are available at Prazada Restaurant in Baluwatar, Kathmandu, every Saturday and at a couple of other public places such as schools and hospitals. Soon, they will also be available at Fitstop Fitness at Labim Mall in Pulchowk, Lalitpur, and near Himal Dental Clinic at Chabahil in Kathmandu.

“Our ultimate goal is to educate as many people as possible regarding the way they consume food. So instead of selling No Chini products through one outlet, making it available at different places helps us reach more people,” explains Shrestha who believes cutting down on sugar needn’t feel like a deprivation when there are so many ways to bring in the required sweetness into your food.

Besides drinks, No Chini has also recently introduced a few bakery items such as muffins and cookies in their menu. They bake these items themselves in their personal kitchens. And even for these mouthwatering desserts, they use only naturally derived brown sugar or other sugar alternatives to keep it as healthy as possible.

The thing is, because Sadutshang and Shrestha are very health conscious themselves, they aren’t ready to make any compromises. So, No Chini is much more than just another food brand or a business. It aims to change the way people perceive healthy food. When you pick up a No Chini product, you can be assured of the fact that it’s healthy and fresh and consume it guilt free.

Carrot and apple juice

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As the name suggests, this juice is a mix of just two ingredients: carrot and apple. Using a juicer, fresh apples and carrots are juiced and packed in a plastic container. No additional sugar or water is used while preparing the juice. A sip of this juice will vouch for that. The combination is low in calories and it is extremely nutritious. The carrot and apple juice is the best drink for those who want to have something light and delicious. The drink is priced at Rs 200.

Mango-papaya smoothie

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You just have to take a sip to be bombarded by contrasting flavors that go really well together. Here, mango and papaya are perfectly blended with milk or yogurt. The added cinnamon is what’s responsible for both the sweet and savory taste of the smoothie. Additionally, shredded coconut and a handful of small pieces of nuts such as cashews, almonds and walnuts make this smoothie a filling drink. All No Chini smoothies are dairy-based. But those who are sensitive to dairy products can customize the drink with soy or almond milk. You have enjoy a cup of mango-papaya smoothie for Rs 200.

Parfait

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This item is a must try. The No Chini team calls it their grab-and-go breakfast for people on the run or for those who need something filling and nutritious about a long workout. Compared to other juices, it is actually a small pack of mango, granola, yogurt, nuts and coconut arranged in layers. The dish is neither too sweet nor too bland because of the correct mix of ingredients. While the nuts retain their crunchiness for a longer period, the granola can get a little soggy if you don’t consume it shortly after being served.