From Matchboxes to Chekku Oil: The Chettyz Story from Dharmapuri

Post by Chettyz Foods

Oct 25 2026

Chettyz comes from Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, and from a family that already knew what it takes to build a trusted name. This is the story of how a family known for safety matches came to make chekku oil and homemade-style podis.

What is Chettyz?

Chettyz is a traditional South Indian food brand from Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, started in 2017. It is a brand of Sasi's Home Foods, founded by Shwetha Balaji.

Chettyz makes chekku / cold pressed cooking oils, homemade-style podis, cane jaggery powder (nattu sakkarai) and other everyday Tamil kitchen staples. Our products are sold on chettyz.com, on Amazon.in and in departmental stores, and more than 2,400 customers have shopped with us.

Who is behind Chettyz?

Chettyz belongs to the family of businesses behind Cats safety matches. Cats was established in 1963 and became known across India for the quality of its matches.

When wax matches first appeared in the 1980s, Cats was one of the few brands that pioneered the wax match segment. Cats built its name through consistent quality, and that same focus on quality guides Chettyz today.

Who founded Chettyz and why?

Chettyz was founded in 2017 by Shwetha Balaji. She grew up in a joint family, and the meals cooked by the elders at home shaped how she thinks about food.

In her words, "For us, Chettyz is a manifestation of the familial love and warmth that we experienced in our childhood days." Chettyz brings traditional South Indian foods, made the home-style way, to families everywhere. You can read more on our About us page.

Where are Chettyz products made?

Chettyz products are made by Sasi's Home Foods in Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu. The address printed on every pack is No. 2B, Annasagaram Main Road, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu 636704.

Our products are prepared fresh, and every pack carries our FSSAI licence number, so you always know who made your food.

What does Chettyz make?

Chettyz makes three chekku / cold pressed oils, a range of homemade-style podis, nattu sakkarai and other kitchen staples. Everything is made in the style of a Tamil home kitchen.

Cold pressed oils: groundnut oil (kadalai ennai) from sun-dried native groundnuts, sesame oil (nallennai / gingelly oil) from sun-dried black sesame seeds, and coconut oil (thengai ennai) from sun-dried copra. See the full oil collection.
Podis: idli podi, Andhra garlic rice podi, moringa podi and pirandai podi. Browse all podis.
Sweetener: cane jaggery powder (nattu sakkarai).
More from the kitchen: multigrain atta, malt mix, groundnut masala, green peas masala, turmeric powder and tapioca chips made in groundnut oil.
Home care: soaps, bath powders and gift combos.

How are Chettyz oils made?

Chettyz oils are chekku / cold pressed: mechanically pressed, with no chemical solvents, not refined, and with nothing added. The seeds or copra are sun-dried first and then pressed.

Because the oil is not bleached or deodorised, it keeps the natural colour and aroma of groundnut, sesame or coconut. A little sediment at the bottom of the bottle can be normal in unrefined oil. To understand the difference between chekku, cold pressed and refined oil, read what is chekku oil.

Where can I buy Chettyz products?

You can buy Chettyz products on chettyz.com, on Amazon.in and in departmental stores. Orders on chettyz.com above ₹499 get free shipping.

Buying directly from our website also earns you Chettyz Purity Coins, which you can use on your next order. If you have questions about orders or delivery, visit our FAQs.