GoVan | Gifts from Goa’s biodiversity

GoVanAn initiative of the Goa State Biodiversity Board

A gift from Goa’s treasure house of biodiversity.

Coconut, kokum, jackfruit, mango and banana grow all over Goa. GoVan turns them into natural, eco-friendly products that are made by hand in Goan villages.

Use nature without using it up

We only take what Goa’s forests and farms can spare. That way the land is ready to give again next season.

A living for those who grow and gather

We work with local farmers, forest collectors and women from Goan villages. Every GoVan pack helps support their livelihoods.

Safe, natural alternatives

Natural food, oils and festival colours to use in place of synthetic products.

From the hinterlands of the Western Ghats to your table

Every GoVan product makes the same short trip. It starts in a Goan forest or farm, goes to a village kitchen and then comes home to you.

The forests of the Western Ghats

It all starts in the forests, groves and hill streams of the Western Ghats. Few places on earth hold as much life.

Farmers and collectors

Local farmers and forest collectors pick each crop in its season. They only take what the land can grow back.

The women of Goa’s villages

Women from Goan villages process every batch by hand, with care and tradition.

The Multiproduct Processing Centre

This is where the harvest gets cleaned, cooked, dried and packed. The centre is a livelihood project for biodiversity conservation.

Your table

The flavours of Goan tradition, ready for your kitchen in a bottle, jar or kraft pouch.

What the land gives

Six things that grow all over Goa. They are picked in season and turned into everything in the GoVan pantry.

Coconutनाल्ल
Cold pressed coconut oilVirgin coconut oilDesiccated coconut
Kokumकोकम
Kokum sherbat
Jackfruitपणस
Jackfruit pickleJackfruit papad
Mangoआंबो
Mango pickle
Bananaकेळें
Banana chips
Turmericहळद
Turmeric powder

Flavours of Goan tradition

Oils, pickles, papad, chips and sherbat. Each one is made from a single Goan crop and carries its Konkani name on the label.

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खोबरेल तेल

Cold Pressed Coconut Oil

Pressed cold from sun-dried copra.

The golden oil every Goan kitchen runs on. Cook and bake with it or rub it into your hair and skin as a natural moisturiser.

500 mlMade from sun-dried copra

Cold Pressed Coconut Oil, front and back of pack

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ओल्या नाल्लाचें तेल

Virgin Coconut Oil

Made from fresh coconut, not dried copra.

Clear, light and gently fragrant. Stir it into a salad dressing, take a spoonful raw or use it on your hair and skin.

200 mlMade from fresh coconut

Virgin Coconut Oil, front and back of pack

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कोकम सरबत

Kokum Sherbat

Goa’s favourite summer cooler.

Ruby-red kokum juice with cumin, dry ginger, black pepper and a pinch of black salt. Mix it with chilled water and sip slowly.

250 ml syrupMade from kokum fruit

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पणसाचे पापड

Jackfruit Papad

Rolled thin and dried in the sun.

Made from jackfruit with cumin, black pepper and chilli. Drop one into hot oil for ten seconds and watch it puff up.

50 gMade from jackfruit

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आंब्याचें लोणचें

Mango Pickle

Raw Goan mangoes, pickled the slow way.

Sour raw mangoes with mustard, fenugreek and fennel. Made just like the pickle at home.

250 gMade from raw mango

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पणसाचें लोणचें

Jackfruit Pickle

A Goan favourite from the Ghats.

Tender jackfruit cooked with mustard, asafoetida, fennel and turmeric.

250 gMade from tender jackfruit

Jackfruit Pickle, front and back of pack

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केळ्यांचीं चिप्स

Banana Chips

Goa’s own Saldati banana in spicy masala.

Thin slices of Goan Saldati keli fried until crisp. No palm oil and no artificial colour.

75 gMade from Saldati bananas

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सुकी सोय

Desiccated Coconut

Fine as snow, for sweets and curries.

Dried, finely grated coconut for baking, sweets, desserts and savoury dishes.

100 gMade from coconut

Desiccated Coconut, front and back of pack

Made by the women who nurture nature

Women from Goan villages process every jar, bottle and pouch by hand. When you buy GoVan you support their work and the forests and farms it depends on.

Kokum syrup, poured by hand

Sieving spices

सैमाचें जतन करपी गोंयच्या ग्रामीण बायलांक जाय तुमचो आदार. देव बरें करूं.
“Thank you for your support to Goan rural women who nurture nature.” Printed on the back of every GoVan pack.

Cooked slowly in small batches

Holi colours that grow on trees

GoVan’s Holi colours are made from flowers and other plants. They are a safe, natural choice in place of synthetic colours.

Move your mouse across the sky or tap anywhere to throw some colour.

Watch the GoVan story

A three-minute film about the Ghats, the processing centre and the people who make GoVan happen.