The Rise of Healthy Oil Consciousness
For generations, Indians followed the traditional practice of extracting edible oils by cold-pressing nuts and seeds using stone or wood mills. However, industrialization ushered in an era of mass-produced, refined oils that rapidly replaced these age-old methods in kitchens across the country. While refined oils offered convenience, it soon became evident that this came at the cost of compromising health benefits.

Despite well-documented risks, the global consumption of refined oils remains staggeringly high - averaging 28.8 kg per person annually. In India alone, this figure stands at approximately 19 kg per capita each year. Developed nations like the USA, UK, and the European Union exhibit even higher per capita consumption rates of 35 kg, 21 kg, and 25 kg respectively. The culprit behind this overconsumption is the unhealthy composition of refined oils, laden with saturated and trans fats accounting for nearly 30% of daily calorie intake. Consequently, these oils have been linked to deaths due to heart disease, stroke, and other ailments.

The refining process itself is a cause for concern, as it uses chemical solvents like hexane and high temperatures that can leave behind toxic residues while stripping away the oil's natural nutrients. The energy-intensive production generates significant waste and environmental pollution. What remains is a nutrient-depleted oil with an improper ratio of fatty acids and artificial flavours added to compensate for the loss of original aromas during refinement.

Amidst this landscape of unhealthy cooking oil consumption, rapidly growing health-conscious consumer base finds itself underserved. Despite proven benefits, the market lacks trust, quality brands offering nutrient-rich, traditional cold-pressed oils through modern distribution channels - a gap that Gramiyaa aims to fill.


The Gramiyaa Revolution
Enter Gramiyaa, a pioneering brand offering wood cold-pressed cooking oils in flavours like groundnut, sesame, mustard, coconut and many more. Catering to the 30+ age bracket of increasingly health-conscious consumers, Gramiyaa has set out to revive the use of cold-pressed oils as the preferred choice globally.
 
Gramiyaa's manufacturing process epitomises its commitment to quality and sustainability. It begins with meticulous sourcing of the finest raw materials directly from farmers. These ingredients are then transported to the company's state-of-the-art facility in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, certified by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and ISO, ensuring stringent quality standards.
 
Once manufactured through Gramiyaa's traditional cold-pressing techniques, the nutrient-rich oils move to the startup's micro-warehouses across key metro cities. This seamless distribution network enables Gramiyaa to efficiently reach urban consumers through its omnichannel presence spanning its D2C website, online marketplaces like Amazon, Flipkart, and BigBasket, as well as modern retail chains like D-Mart.
 
With a monthly production capacity of 32,000 litres, Gramiyaa has sold an impressive 287,000 litres of its premium cold-pressed oils in just the last year alone. But the brand's impact extends far beyond Indian shores - recognizing the burgeoning demand from the health-conscious Indian diaspora, Gramiyaa has also made inroads into the massive US market.


Founders
Born into a family with over 60 years of legacy in cold-pressed oil manufacturing, Sibi Manivannan  witnessed the art firsthand from a young age. After gaining experience across automotive dealerships, he rekindled his passion for the family business alongside co-founders Mohamed Yaseen and Naveen R.
 
Yaseen (CEO, Student co-founder from National Institute of Design), with prior entrepreneurial success and product engineering expertise at Ford, brings strategic vision to the venture.
 
Complementing them is Naveen who has experience of working with global giants like Rolex and Microsoft.
 
Together, this trio embarked on an ambitious journey to revive the forgotten tradition of cold-pressed oils through their startup, Gramiyaa. Leveraging Sibi's ancestral knowledge, they crafted authentic wood cold-pressed oils using traditional stone mills and sustainable practices. 

From their humble roots in Trichy to a great entry in the US market, Gramiyaa's founders are scripting an inspiring tale of entrepreneurial grit and cultural renaissance. Today, their cold-pressed oils grace kitchens worldwide, championing health, sustainability, and the revival of a timeless Indian tradition.


Verdict 
By reviving the age-old tradition of cold-pressed oils with a contemporary business model and unwavering commitment to quality, Gramiyaa is spearheading a revolution in healthy cooking. As the health food market continues its meteoric rise, Gramiyaa stands poised to become the go-to choice for discerning consumers seeking nutrient-rich, sustainable, and authentic oil experiences, worldwide.