The Wellness Process 87. Living With Intention: Ancestral Rituals for Modern Wellness with Aishwarya Iyer
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Nov 11, 2025 Aishwarya Iyer, founder of Brightland, discusses her journey from tech to intentional food entrepreneurship, inspired by her South Indian heritage. She emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with food and the impact of olive oil quality on health. Aishwarya shares fascinating insights on recognizing bad olive oil, seasonal eating rituals, and the significance of cooking as a self-respect act. She also reflects on her experiences in launching Brightland and maintaining product integrity, inviting listeners to embrace conscious cooking in everyday life.
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Ancestral Roots Sparked Food Curiosity
- Aishwarya discovered her ancestors were salt farmers and later visited their village, which shifted her relationship to food and heritage.
- This reconnection seeded curiosity that eventually influenced her career pivot toward olive oil and Brightland.
Freshness Determines Olive Oil Quality
- Tasting olive oil plain revealed that many common bottles are waxy or old, signaling poor quality.
- Aishwarya realized freshness, smell, and taste are essential to detect rancidity and health impact.
Olive Oil Tasting Is Like Wine Tasting
- Olive oil tasting can be as evocative and storytelling-rich as wine tastings, revealing terroir and harvest choices.
- Treating olive oil as fruit juice reframes its health potential and vulnerability to fraud or rancidity.
