ArthaVahini ARTHAVAHINI
EST. IN THE HEART OF MITHILA

From the Sacred Wetlands
of North Bihar

The complete story behind ArthaVahini — direct sourcing, traditional craft, and pioneering standards for the world’s most demanding export markets.

BEGIN THE JOURNEY ↓
THE ORIGIN

The Land That Grows 90% of the World’s Makhana

Over 90% of global makhana originates from the Mithila wetlands of North Bihar — specifically the districts of Madhubani, Darbhanga, Vaishali and surrounding areas.

ArthaVahini sources directly from these ponds. No traders. No aggregators. No dilution of quality or traceability.

Mithila wetlands where premium makhana is harvested

Freshwater ponds in the Mithila region, Bihar, India

THE CRAFT

Harvested by Hand, Popped by Tradition

The Mallah Divers

For generations, the Mallah community has dived into these ponds — chest-deep in water, zero visibility — to collect the seed pods by feel. This knowledge is entirely oral and generational. It cannot be mechanized.

The Thaapee Popping

After sun-drying, the seeds are roasted and struck at the precise moment with a traditional wooden mallet (thaapee). Too early and it won’t pop. Too late and it scorches. The sound, smell, and touch decide everything.

The Suta Scale — Our Grading Standard

Commercial value is measured in “Suta” (≈ 3.17 mm). We source and grade strictly:

  • Jumbo (20–28 mm / 6-8 Suta) — Premium export grade for USA, EU & Australia
  • Large (16–20 mm / 5-6 Suta) — Retail and flavored snacks
  • Medium (12–16 mm / 4-5 Suta) — Bulk wholesale and processing

Handpicked (Haath-Chhata) stock commands a consistent premium and is prioritized for our export partners.

MODERN STANDARDS

Pioneering Irradiation & Export-Ready Processing

BARC-Guided Gamma Irradiation

We are among the first in India to consistently apply Cobalt-60 gamma sterilization (BARC-guided) to popped makhana for export. This process:

  • Eliminates pests at all life stages (eggs, larvae, adults) without chemicals
  • Reduces microbial load to meet zero-tolerance standards
  • Extends shelf life to > 1 year — critical for long sea freight
  • Leaves zero chemical residue (unlike Methyl Bromide or Phosphine)

US FDA accepts irradiation with proper documentation. EU markets often prefer our roasted formats with full traceability.

SS-304 Processing & Climate Control

All grading, sorting, and packaging surfaces use food-grade stainless steel (SS-304) to eliminate heavy metal risk and meet strict EU MRL requirements.

Climate-controlled dry warehouses maintain moisture below 6%. This prevents aflatoxin development (Aspergillus) — one of the most common rejection reasons for lotus seed products.

Full Traceability & Documentation

Every batch is traceable to the specific ponds and harvest. Every shipment includes:

  • Phytosanitary Certificate
  • Certificate of Origin (COO)
  • Lot-specific Certificate of Analysis (CoA)
  • Irradiation treatment certificate (on request)
  • Food-grade vacuum or nitrogen-flushed packaging
THE ARTHAVAHINI DIFFERENCE

Built for the World’s Most Demanding Markets

Direct Farm-Gate Model
We procure directly from the ponds. This gives us control over quality, moisture, and grading from day one — and allows us to offer better value to serious buyers.
Export-First Processing
Every step — from irradiation to vacuum sealing — is designed for long-distance, high-value shipments with zero compromise on crispness or compliance.
Reliable, Traceable Supply
Consistent quality, lot-level documentation, and the ability to scale with your requirements. We are not traders — we are processors and exporters.

Ready to work directly with the source?

Request specifications, samples, and current FOB/CIF pricing for Jumbo, Large, or Medium grades.

REQUEST A QUOTE →

Or email our trade desk directly: trade@arthavahinilogistics.com