For Sonya Bapna Patel, food has always been more than fuel — it’s family, culture, and connection. But as a mom navigating the world of childhood food allergies, she found herself constantly frustrated by vague ingredient labels and additives hiding behind the word “spices.” Tired of compromise, she decided to create her own solution — one that would honor both her Indian heritage and her family's health needs. Enter PUR Spices, a vibrant line of handmade, small-batch spices and sauces that deliver bold, authentic flavor without a trace of fillers, allergens, or mystery ingredients. What started as a labor of love in her own kitchen has blossomed into a growing brand that’s resonating with home cooks and flavor seekers everywhere. From fiery Harissa and versatile Masala Paste to comforting Milk Masala and zesty Chai blends, Sonya’s creations invite people to cook boldly, eat mindfully, and savor every spice with confidence. In this interview, Delivery Rank speaks with Sonya about food transparency, the power of flavor memories, and how PUR Spices is making the dinner table a safer, spicier, and more inclusive place.
For me, PUR Spices started out of frustration and a deep love for food. I grew up with bold flavors in home-cooked meals from my mom, but when I went to grocery stores, I found so many spice blends filled with unnecessary fillers, or vague ingredients like “spices” with no real ingredients. I wanted better, especially for my kids who have severe food allergies. That was my turning point. I knew I couldn’t be the only one who wanted high-quality, thoughtfully crafted spice blends and sauces that made cooking easier. So, I decided to create them myself.
As a food allergy family, this was a non-negotiable for our brand. The food industry has vague labeling because it benefits manufacturers more than consumers. It allows for cost-cutting with cheaper additives while keeping formulas proprietary. But I believe people deserve to know exactly what they’re eating. At PUR Spices, we list every single ingredient on our labels—no hidden fillers, preservatives, or artificial flavors. We take pride in sourcing high-quality, wholesome ingredients. Our customers should feel confident about what they’re feeding themselves and their families.
It’s all about making bold flavors more accessible. In many cultures, spice blends are layered and complex, but not everyone has the time to toast, grind, and mix them from scratch. That’s where PUR Spices comes in! We do the hard work upfront so families can enjoy those deep, rich flavors in a fraction of the time. Whether it’s a perfectly balanced Chai Masala or a ready-to-use Masala Paste, I want people to feel like they’re cooking from scratch, just with a little help.
Scaling while staying true to our craft is one of the biggest challenges we face. Every small batch is made with intention, from sourcing high-quality ingredients to perfecting the blend. As we grow, the key is finding partners and ingredients that align with our values - no shortcuts, no sacrificing quality. We’ve had to be selective about suppliers and manufacturers who understand that we’re not just making spice blends or basic hot sauces. We’re curating flavors with integrity. It takes time, but I’d rather grow steadily and maintain our standards than compromise just to scale faster.
I love getting creative with our blends and seeing how versatile they are. Our flavors are globally inspired and add so much depth to everyday dishes—our Green Chutney blend sprinkled over roasted sweet potatoes, Mirchi Masala on popcorn, or Cilantro Blaze blended into a marinade for grilled shrimp. Our Spicy and Medium Harissas make fantastic hot sauces—our Achaar Masala mixed with yogurt for a zesty dip or our Chipotle Fire swirled into mac and cheese for a bold twist. The best part of food is experimenting, and I love seeing how people use our products in ways I never imagined!
To read more about PUR Spices, please visit https://www.purspices.com/