Our Story

In the mid-1840s, as the British Raj tightened its hold on India, the East India Company, under Lord Auckland, focused on expanding commerce, especially in Calcutta. It was in this era of transformation that attracted the attention of two young brothers, Sri Kali Krishna Dutta and Sri Krishna Chandra Dutta.

Born in Adisaptagram, a village in Bengal, the brothers had always dreamt of building something larger than life. The call of trade, the lure of bustling markets, and the aroma of rich Indian spices inspired them. Determined, they left their ancestral home and moved to Sutanuty (modern-day North Kolkata), a flourishing market known for its cotton and muslin trade. Here, amidst traders from distant lands, they saw their future unfold.

In 1846, with courage and ambition, they opened their first spice shop on Darmahatta Street (now Maharshi Debendra Road). The shop, though small, held within its walls the fragrance of freshly ground spices—cumin, cardamom, turmeric—each telling a tale of India’s rich heritage. What began as a humble venture soon gained recognition, and thus, the Dutta Spice Dynasty was born.

Years passed, and with time came change. Sri Kali Krishna Dutta, seeking spiritual solace, withdrew from worldly life, leaving the business in the hands of Sri Krishna Chandra Dutta. He nurtured it with dedication, passing it on to his only son, Sri Natabar Dutta, in the 1890s. Natabar Dutta was a visionary—he understood the power of a name, an identity. He rebranded the business as ‘Kesto Dutter Mosla’, marking the first step toward creating a recognisable brand.

However, fate had its plans. In 1918, Natabar Dutta passed away at just 45, leaving behind three young sons—Judhisthir, Bibhuti Bhusan, and Ganga Dhar Dutta. The responsibility of the family and business fell upon their shoulders. With determination, they carried forward their father’s dream, expanding the business beyond Bengal.

By 1947, as India gained independence, the Dutta brothers achieved their own milestone—their shop completed a century of success. With new ideas and boundless energy, they introduced Bengal’s first branded spice powders in 1958, forever transforming the way people used spices. Each brother carved his own path—one focused on branded spice powders, another built spice agencies, while the third remained dedicated to whole spice trading.

Then came the era of change. As mankind set foot on the Moon in 1969, the Dutta family reached for their own stars. Sri Bibhuti Bhusan Dutta, armed with experience and passion, laid the foundation of Krishna Chandra Dutta (Marketing) Pvt. Ltd. in 1971. His dream was clear—to create a spice empire known for premium quality and affordability.

But destiny struck again. In 1972, he passed away at just 59 years old, leaving his 17-year-old son, Sri Amit Kumar Dutta, to step into a world of trade and responsibility. With unwavering determination, Amit Kumar Dutta, under the guidance of his elder brother, carried forward the business. He followed his father’s vision and by 2008, transformed it into a trusted brand—‘COOKEY – Key to Good Cooking’.

Today, ‘COOKEY’ stands as a trusted brand in the spice market, upholding the three golden principles of its forefathers: Premium Quality, Reasonable Price, and Fast Supply.