Our journey

Building the future of better snacking.

Pop Pearls started with two friends, one label reading habit, and a snack drawer full of disappointment. Everything crunchy was fried; everything healthy tasted like penance.

Then we came back to makhana, the popped water lily seed our families have snacked on for generations and asked one question: why has no one done this properly for the UK?

So we did. Premium makhana from Bihar’s lily ponds, air popped, seasoned for the British palate, and honest about every number on the pack.

Mission

Snacking that earns its place

To make the world’s most nutritious snack a daily British habit, premium makhana, popped not fried, with fibre forward nutrition and nothing to hide.

Vision

A pearl in every pantry

A pantry staple in every UK home and office: craveable, high fibre snacking that genuinely does your body good.

Our core values

Craft over shortcuts

Air popped, small batches, no deep fryers anywhere in the building.

Honest labels

Every number on the pack is one we can stand behind, nothing hidden, nothing inflated.

Fibre first

Snacking should do something for you. We lead with fibre, not empty crunch.

Traceable sourcing

Hand harvested in Bihar's lily ponds, direct trade, and proud of the journey.

Taste is non-negotiable

If it doesn't beat the crisps aisle on flavour, it doesn't leave the kitchen.

Meet the founders

Dark Cacao

Amar Sen

Co-founder

Amar Sen is a neuroscientist and Founder & CEO of Pop Pearls. He leads the company's product and commercial strategy, shaping its innovation and consumer experience. Drawing on his neuroscience background and two years in the NHS, he founded Pop Pearls to bring a functionally engineered, better-for-you snack, Fox Nut makhana, to health-conscious British consumers.

Beyond Pop Pearls, he is passionate about building genuine relationships and delivering real value for money, a principle that runs through how he prices, sources, and serves customers.

Peri Peri & Lime

Pavithra Shetty

Co-founder

Pavithra Shetty is a Marketing graduate from Imperial College London and Co-Founder of PopPearls. She leads the company's marketing and brand development, helping shape its growth and consumer experience. Drawing from her own struggle to maintain adequate fibre intake in a busy lifestyle, she co-founded PopPearls to create a healthier, more enjoyable snacking alternative.

Beyond PopPearls, she is a passionate musician who plays three instruments and enjoys discovering new music and instruments from around the world.

Grow with us

We’re a small, fast-moving team building a premium snack brand from the ground up. If you love great food, clean branding and doing things properly, stay tuned for opportunities to work with us.