Guzhova Ekaterina, 32, from Almaty, a technologist and production director
Olga Krushenitskaya, 42, from Shymkent, PR, SMM and marketing
On the starting point
Ekaterina. Once I created a homemade fragrant salt and came up with the idea to create my own product. Not having any experience of doing business, I suggested Olya to become my partner.
Of course, we aren’t pioneers, as there’re many Russian and the American counterparts. However, we wanted to adapt the product to the local culture.
Olga. Before opening, we’d worked half a year on style, name, packaging, as any company should have a unique code. Everything was carefully selected, recipes were developed and then we decided to produce fruit pastilles and fruit chips as well. Emphasizing our location, we called our project "Kyz Zhidek".
On what fragrant salts are
Olga. Our salt is unique since we are the ones producing it in Kazakhstan. Fragrant salt is a sea salt with additives. Each jar has natural flavor enhancers such as garlic, rosemary, tomato, mushrooms. Each salt has its own composition, e.g. the Adyghe salt is made from the plants growing in Kazakhstan according to the traditions of the Adyghe cuisine.
Ekaterina. Salt recipes are uniquely designed. The first salt’s recipe was borrowed from Jamie Oliver and made of lemon and rosemary. Then I began to come up with recipes and to experiment with tastes. New products are always made just after the trial. We have some types including ten kinds of salts. Such salts make a dish interesting and tastier. Penetrating deeply into the food and making it flavored with taste and aroma, salts can be mixed to create a new taste.
On fruit eko-chips
Ekaterina. Chips are made of dried quality fruit. We dehydrate fruit and it changes the texture and gets crunchy. Dehydration allows to store up to 95% of useful substances so that they remain tasty.
Olga. We try to make chips from local products, such as Almaty apples. Cutting is carried out according to standards, all fruits are peeled. We do not use preservatives and additives, so the fruit chips have a limited shelf life. This is a completely natural product that can be stored for four months only.
On the product healthiness
Olga. Most of our products are unique, they are healthy and delicious. We have citrus pastilles made of oranges and lemons with honey, pastilles with ginger and walnuts strengthening immunity.
Ekaterina. Also, we have apple cellulose made of an apple peel. Peel is the healthiest thing of the fruit grown in ecologically clean conditions.
Olga. Chips packages are added nuts which are undergone special treatment, washed and soaked. Soaked and dried nuts are much tastier and tenderer.
On plans
Olga. We’re planning to expand the line and want our products remain healthy and mouthwatering.
Ekaterina. We’re lucky to have our chips and pastille chosen as a gift to Russia, the Emirates, France, and Malaysia. We wish to become a national brand.