Kerala couple turns oyster mushrooms into healthy biscuits, wellness soups

We all know children love biscuits, but how often do we worry about the empty calories and artificial preservatives they consume? Many parents hand over entire packets of store-bought biscuits without a second thought. This often ruins their appetite and leads to health issues. It was this concern that drove Kochi-based Lins Abraham and his wife, Nidhi, to craft yummy, healthy foods from a surprising base ingredient - oyster mushrooms.

Mushrooms are globally celebrated for their nutritional profile and serve as an exceptional natural source of vitamin D. For Lins and Nidhi, the goal was to package this goodness without any chemical compromises. The couple says their signature biscuits are made with dried mushroom powder, pure ghee, whole-wheat flour, and a very small amount of sugar. Apparently, they contain no artificial flavours, colouring agents, or synthetic preservatives, making them a safe and nutrient-dense alternative to commercial snacks.

A passion for innovation
Lins, who hails from a traditional farming family in Thiruvambady, Kozhikode, initially moved to Chittoor in Ernakulam for a marketing job. However, entrepreneurship has always been in his blood. At just 18, he had successfully branded and marketed virgin coconut oil and biscuits made from coconut residue—a novelty in his hometown at the time. Although he pursued a corporate career, his entrepreneurial drive remained strong, eventually leading him to venture into mushroom farming.

Managing both a demanding day job and the daily routine of mushroom cultivation proved challenging. Realising that fresh mushrooms have a short shelf life and are prone to market fluctuations, Lins decided to pivot to value-added products. This strategic shift allowed him to scale down his own cultivation and start sourcing fresh oyster mushrooms from other local farmers who were struggling to sell their harvest, thereby providing them with a steady livelihood.

From healthy biscuits to wellness soups
While mushroom cultivation has picked up pace across Kerala, marketing fresh produce has remained a bottleneck for many. Fortunately, the post-pandemic shift towards preventive healthcare and organic wellness opened up a goldmine of opportunities for innovative foods. This served as the catalyst for the Nutribite biscuit line, designed primarily for children under 10, though enjoyed by all age groups.

Operating from a small room on the top floor of his home, Lins designed and built a custom dehydrator to dry the mushrooms. The home-based setup also houses a grinder and a baking oven. Today, a 100g packet of Nutribite mushroom biscuits retails for ₹140, a price health-conscious consumers are more than willing to pay for uncompromised quality.

Building on this success, the couple introduced another unique product: mushroom soup powder. A blend of dried oyster mushrooms and traditional arrowroot powder, the soup contains no added flavours, colours, or synthetic preservatives. According to Nidhi, because it is entirely free of sugar and wheat, this nutrient-dense soup is highly beneficial for those managing lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

Direct consumer engagement
Currently, Nutribite products are distributed across major supermarkets in Ernakulam. The couple has successfully leveraged 'in-shopping' marketing promotions, a retail trend where supermarkets permit brands to set up experiential counters and directly engage with shoppers. This face-to-face interaction allows Lins and Nidhi to explain the health benefits of their products directly to target consumers, boosting brand trust and retail velocity.

With their school-going children, Noah, Nehal, and Nathan, actively helping with marketing and packaging during their free time, Nutribite has truly become a family affair. Lins and Nidhi believe that the future of agriculture lies in value-added products that bridge the gap between traditional nutrition and modern lifestyles.