Our Story
Embrace the essence of India in the heart of Alsace
Between India and Alsace
In a charming small Alsatian village, away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, Table Indienne was born from an aspiration to not only cook Indian recipes, but also to master them in their most authentic form.
Our journey began when I found myself trying to recreate the vibrant dishes of India amidst the picturesque landscapes of France.
One of the biggest obstacles I had to overcome was not the techniques of this elaborate cuisine, but simply acquiring the myriad of spices that are the soul of Indian gastronomy. Nestled 40 minutes' drive from any specialty grocery store, my access to basic Indian ingredients like ghee or paneer was virtually non-existent. That's when chance led me to discover through my mother-in-law: an organic farm just 10 minutes from home that provided the raw materials needed to make these essential ingredients. The realization that a local French farm could nurture my passion for Indian cooking was more than a delight, it was a revelation.
But the story of Table Indienne doesn't just come from me, it also comes from my Alsatian family.
The pantry contained only a few traces of Indian culinary heritage. When my sister-in-law ventured into Indian cooking, the idea of buying an entire packet of spices just to sprinkle a few discouraged her. Seeing her struggle with excess and waste, an idea came to me. To truly introduce and share the joy of Indian cooking with novices, we had to rethink our approach. That's when Table Indienne found its true essence. We imagined a way to provide the amount of spices required for a single dish, eliminating waste and simplifying the process. We introduced kits – carefully selected organic spice packages – perfectly measured to create your favorite Indian dishes without leaving leftovers to dry at the bottom of your spice rack.
Our connection to Indian arts
During our trip to India in 2024, we made a discovery: Alsace was a center of block printing, also known as 'indienne'. This led us to try this beautiful traditional art originating from India that captivated Alsatians in the 18th century. Today, you can visit the textile printing museum in Mulhouse, where Indian fabrics are the stars of the museum. The entire hand-printing process begins with an idea in our (or your) mind, which is then sketched on paper. A skilled artisan then meticulously carves this pattern onto a sheesham wood block, a durable material. Using natural dyes, they transform plain textiles, such as scarves, sheets, cushion covers and many other items, into unique and colorful creations. We fell in love with this rhythmic process of dipping blocks in color to create beautiful patterns.
Unfortunately, due to the rise of fast fashion, this art, which requires manual attention and precision, is losing value. We are committed to protecting this ancestral heritage by reviving it through modern designs and products.
In the future, we plan to go beyond block printing and introduce you to other forms of traditional Indian art at risk of being forgotten. We are committed to preserving these precious elements of Indian heritage and are excited to integrate them into our workshops and store.
From our hands to your home
Beyond our easy-to-use spice kits, we are delighted to introduce you to the rich but often overlooked arts of India, an experience that will delight young and old alike. By sourcing ingredients locally as much as possible (and from India for the most exotic), we reduce our environmental footprint and support our community. This allows us to offer you the authentic flavors of India, perfectly adapted to your palate. We have reinvented Indian cooking and arts to suit your tastes. Indian cuisine is no longer synonymous with chili, but with flavors! At La Table Indienne, we believe that a cultural adventure should be simple and sustainable. That's why we are also proud to support rural Indian artisans who have preserved these traditions for generations.
