Frequently Asked Questions

Our plum cake traces its origins to 1883, when we baked what is widely regarded as India’s first recorded plum cake. Over time, it became more than a recipe—it became part of how a tradition took root. Even today, we continue to make it using time-honoured methods, preserving the richness, depth, and character that defined it from the very beginning.

Yes. Many of our recipes have been preserved for over a century—refined, but never compromised. What you taste today is a continuation of what was first perfected decades ago.

Because we don’t chase uniformity—we honour authenticity. Our products are handcrafted in small batches using traditional methods and the finest ingredients, creating deeper flavour and natural variation. No two batches taste exactly the same—each reflects the process behind it.

Today, many consumers are moving away from hydrogenated fats and artificial additives toward clean-label, transparent ingredients. Yet, even many bakery products rely on substitutes like hydrogenated oils, palm oil, and artificial creams—creating a gap between perceived freshness and true quality.

By using real ingredients like butter and staying true to traditional methods, we deliver a taste that is more authentic, honest, and true to its origins.

Rich, moist, and layered with deep flavours from fruits and spices—crafted from a recipe that dates back generations.

Wood-fired baking is a centuries-old technique—both an art and a craft—where heat is generated by a live fire rather than controlled electric or gas systems. The oven is slowly brought up to temperature and retains heat that surrounds the product from all sides. Managing this process requires great skill, experience, and intuition, as there are no precise controls—only the baker’s understanding of fire and timing. This creates a distinctive depth of flavour and texture that modern methods cannot replicate.

We continue to use traditional wood-fired ovens because they bring out a richness and character that modern methods cannot match. Our ovens are fired using coconut shells—a natural waste byproduct—making the process both authentic and resource-efficient. Even the ash is repurposed to make activated carbon.

While wood-fired baking does produce smoke, we use coconut shells—a renewable waste byproduct that burns efficiently and typically produces less smoke than many traditional wood sources. In contrast, electric ovens often rely on electricity generated from coal, and gas ovens use non-renewable fuels. By using waste as fuel and repurposing by-products, our process supports a more resource-efficient and circular approach.

Our biscuits are baked in wood-fired ovens where heat varies naturally. Those closer to the fire develop a deeper hue, while others remain lighter—this is a hallmark of authentic baking.

Because they are handcrafted. Slight variations are a sign of care and individuality, not machine uniformity.

Our recipes date back over a century and are prepared using traditional methods, including wood-fired baking. We use pure butter, avoid preservatives and artificial additives, and produce in small batches to ensure care and consistency. This combination of heritage, process, and ingredients is what defines our quality.

No. We bake using pure butter, carefully sourced ingredients, and time-tested techniques—without preservatives, palm oil, artificial colours, or additives.

We use high-quality butter, as our recipes have always called for.

We do not add alcohol to our plum cakes. Instead, we use carefully developed flavouring to recreate the depth and character traditionally associated with alcohol-based recipes. In conventional baking, much of the alcohol used tends to evaporate during baking, though small traces can remain depending on the process. Our approach allows you to enjoy the same rich, layered flavour—without adding alcohol.

Yes. Our products are made using high-quality ingredients and do not contain preservatives, artificial additives, or alcohol, making them safe to be enjoyed by children. However, as with all food products, we recommend checking the ingredient list for any specific allergies.

• Crunchy Cashew Biscuits: wheat (gluten), dairy, cashew
• Barley Biscuits: wheat (gluten), dairy
• Plum Cake: wheat (gluten), dairy, eggs
  All products are made in facilities that handle allergens.

Our plum cake contains eggs, while our biscuits do not. All products are made using butter and are not vegan.

• Biscuits: up to 4 months
• Cakes: up to 4 months

We recommend consuming them at their freshest for the fullest experience.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from heat.
• Once opened, keep biscuits in an airtight container and consume within 15 days.
• Cakes should be refrigerated in an airtight container and consumed within 15 days.

Chill for 20–30 minutes, then use a serrated knife with a gentle sawing motion. Wipe the blade between cuts and slice slightly thicker pieces.

Make two parallel cuts in the centre and remove the middle portion first. Then push the remaining sides together to reduce exposed surfaces and retain moisture.

You can purchase our products directly from our website, as well as on Amazon and Flipkart.

They are also available at our bakery in Tellicherry, and select retail stores such as Meter Supermarket and Aditya Fresh.

During the festive season, our products are additionally available at select premium retail stores including Le Marche and Reliance Freshpik.

Yes, we deliver across India. Since our products are shipped from Tellicherry, delivery timelines vary by location:

• Within Kerala: typically 1–2 days
• Major metro cities (e.g., Mumbai, Delhi): 3–5 days
• North & East India: 4–7 days
• North East India: 6–14 days (depending on serviceability)

We take great care in packaging. While slight breakage may occasionally occur due to the delicate handcrafted nature, it does not affect quality.

If your order arrives significantly damaged, please reach out to us immediately with details, and we will make it right.

As our products are food items, purchases made on our website cannot be returned once delivered.

However, we do offer a refund or replacement in case your order is damaged in transit or if an incorrect item is delivered. Our team will process a replacement promptly once the issue is validated through email or phone.

Please note:

• All concerns must be raised within 2 days of delivery by writing to info@mamballys.com
• Queries raised beyond this period will not be eligible for refund or replacement
• Approved refunds will be credited to the original payment method

Order cancellations:
Orders can be cancelled within 24 hours of placing them by writing to info@mamballys.com. Refunds for cancelled orders will be processed to the original mode of payment.

Our association with the armed forces goes back generations. Our biscuits travelled with troops during both World War I and World War II, carried as a source of comfort from home. Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa is known to have enjoyed our biscuits while stationed overseas during the war years. Today, this legacy continues as we remain a gifting partner for defence institutions.

Cricket runs deep in our legacy. Our family has produced six Ranji Trophy players, including the first captain of the Kerala cricket team. Tellicherry is widely regarded as one of the earliest places in India where cricket was played with the common man, earning it the name the Land of Cakes, Cricket, and Circus. This shared history has made the town—and our story—inseparable from the spirit of the game.

Our origins lie in Tellicherry—a historic spice port that was once an important hub on global trade routes. For centuries, this region connected India to the world through the exchange of spices, ideas, and culture. This unique positioning shaped our baking traditions, allowing global influences to blend with local craftsmanship. As a result, our products carry a cultural familiarity that resonates across former trade-route and colonial markets even today.

Shaped by centuries of cultural exchange, our products combine global influences with local craftsmanship—creating flavours that feel both rooted and familiar. This allows them to resonate not just locally, but with audiences across the world.

As consumers move away from mass-produced goods, there is a growing desire for authenticity, transparency, and meaning in what they consume. Heritage foods offer a sense of provenance and continuity, while handcrafted processes bring depth and individuality—making them increasingly valued in a world of uniformity.

While many premium brands focus on ingredients or presentation, our distinction lies in continuity. Our recipes, techniques, and processes have been preserved over generations, including wood-fired baking that requires skill and intuition rather than automation. Combined with our clean-label approach and historic legacy, this creates a depth of flavour and authenticity that is difficult to replicate.

Our products are for those who appreciate the finer details—flavour shaped by tradition, craftsmanship that cannot be rushed, and food that feels personal while made with clean, high-quality ingredients. Whether you are discovering something new, choosing a thoughtful gift, or reconnecting with a taste of home, they are for those who value depth, nostalgia, and authenticity.

Our products are priced to reflect the ingredients, craftsmanship, and traditional methods that go into making them.

• Biscuits typically start from ₹200 onwards (depending on the variety and pack size)
• Plum cakes are available in 250 g and 400 g options, with prices varying accordingly

For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing, we recommend visiting our website or our listings on Amazon and Flipkart.

Our products are not mass-produced—they are crafted in small batches using time-intensive, traditional methods, including wood-fired baking and the use of the finest ingredients. What you are paying for is not just the product, but the quality, craftsmanship, and a legacy that has been carefully preserved over generations.

Our products are often chosen as gifts not just for their taste, but for the story and legacy they carry. Rooted in a history that dates back to 1880, they offer something far more meaningful than a conventional gift—a sense of heritage, authenticity, and cultural connection. Whether for personal occasions or corporate gifting, they reflect thoughtfulness and discernment.

Yes. Designed to travel well, our products are often carried across cities and countries as a thoughtful way to share something truly distinctive— rooted in Kerala’s heritage, yet part of a larger Indian culinary legacy that resonates globally.

Yes, we offer curated gifting solutions designed for corporate orders, festive occasions and events. Our products are often chosen for their heritage, quality, and the story they carry—making them thoughtful and distinctive gifts.

You can reach out to us directly with your requirements, and our team will assist you with product selection, quantities, and delivery timelines.

Email: collab@mamballys.com

Please share details such as:

• Quantity required
• Delivery location(s)
• Occasion or timeline

Minimum order quantities may vary depending on the product and packaging requirements. Our team will guide you based on your specific needs.

Lead times typically depend on the order size and delivery locations. We recommend reaching out at least 5–10 days in advance for standard bulk orders, and earlier during peak festive periods like Diwali and Christmas.

Yes, depending on the order size, we can assist with customised combinations and packaging to suit your gifting needs.

For those seeking a true cultural piece of Kerala, Mambally’s Royal Biscuit Factory offers more than just something to take home—it offers a legacy. As the creators of India’s first recorded plum cake and custodians of a baking tradition that dates back to 1880, our products embody a rare blend of history, craft, and authenticity. Made using time-honoured wood-fired techniques and the finest ingredients, each bake carries the depth, flavour, and story of a region shaped by global influences and local mastery. It is not just food—it is a living heritage of Kerala.

Because this is where the tradition began. In 1883, we baked what is widely regarded as India’s first recorded plum cake—shaping how Christmas came to be celebrated across the country. Rich, aromatic, and steeped in history, our plum cake brings together flavour, nostalgia, and legacy—making it more than a cake, but a timeless part of the season.

Not at all. While plum cakes are traditionally associated with Christmas, they are enjoyed year-round across many occasions. They pair beautifully with tea and coffee as part of an everyday ritual, make for thoughtful gifts during festivals like Diwali, and serve as a distinctive alternative for birthdays and celebrations.

Our plum cakes are made without alcohol, making them suitable for everyone, including children—so they can be enjoyed by the whole family, whether as a daily indulgence or a special occasion treat.