About Us

OUR STORY

A Forest Tale of Ingredients that Did Not Give Up

Once upon a time in the Wilderness.

The winding roads of Coorg led us to a small town called Kakabe, where an age-old forest whispered a welcome to the first Beforest collective. We met nature in her home ground, untouched and unrivalled, rich with flora and fauna. Snakes curled on branches, and the sound of cicadas made the trees come to life. The forest floor was alive too with deer tracks and elephant footprints, and if we listened closely, we could hear the sound of freshwater streams flowing.

As we explored the forest, our eyes were drawn to beads of red cherries in shrubs as if the forest had adorned it with ornaments—these were the remnants of what was once a coffee estate, and what we saw were the luscious red cherries of Canephora Coffee—a discovery that would go on to shape the trajectory of Bewild.

In every sense, our coffee was found, not farmed—resilient and thriving in a forest ecosystem without the systematic human interventions that normally define coffee growing. Ours was coffee that did not give up and carved a place for itself where it rightfully belonged. This discovery helped us understand that Beforest can support life to grow as the forest does by supporting it through natural and minimal interventions. This motivated Beforest to start restoring 100+ acres of degraded landscapes across India through sustainable farming practices like permaculture, rewilding forests to their former glory, and helping ingredients grow in their natural habitats. As the soil was given new life and the streams allowed to flow without disruption, nature reawakened and gave us back in abundance—pure, nutritious, clean ingredients, the essence of which can only be called Bewild.

Now Bewild stands as a testament to the ingredients that did not give up, despite changing waves of culture, tradition, and forest ecosystems. Each ingredient we grow is either native, heirloom, or an integral staple to the region it is grown in, and the care remains constant; they are grown free in their natural habitats with little human intervention and devoid of synthetic chemicals, just like nature intended it to be.

Our Mission

Good Food Comes From Good Practices

Bewild began in the restored landscapes of Beforest, where each ingredient is a cherished gift of permaculture. Our journey is guided by the belief that good food comes from good practices, and it need not come at the cost of our forests. Each Bewild ingredient stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of forest ecosystems and agriculture because for how long will we destroy our forests just to grow more food?

This belief has inspired our mission to offer food choices that benefit both the planet and our consumers. We do so by honouring indigenous wisdom passed down to us, preserving heirloom seeds for posterity, and nurturing the ecosystems that provide for us.

The result is clean, nutritious, and chemical-free ingredients shaped by good practices for conscious consumers like you and the generations to come.

Meet the Team

Together We Make Bewild

The Bewild team begins with the Beforest Community, a collective of members that crowdfund the restoration efforts of Beforest. They work in tandem with the Beforest Team, comprising ecological designers, growers, and more. They engage in farming and conservation practices that promote the harmonious co-existence of forest, agriculture, and sustainable living.

Our 100+ acre landscapes are home to diverse fauna, from birds and bees to leopards and elephants. They roam freely across active wildlife corridors within the landscape, pollinating the flowers, helping in seed dispersal, pest control, and naturally keeping the ecosystem healthy. The diverse flora in our landscapes create unique microclimates that mirror the forest ecosystem, offering shade and shelter. This not only enriches our ingredients but also nourishes the soil in the form of mulch, manure, and biomass.

Bewild is a young brand, and as we learn about our produce, we are guided by our Bewild experts. From coffee specialists to beekeepers, survey experts, and locals, each bringing in their experiences, skills, and indigenous knowledge. They make sure post-harvest processing accentuates the essence of the produce, truly bringing you a piece of the wild itself.