Heritage · Est. 1927
A lineage of four generations, written in spice.
From a single trading post in Old Deira to a house known across continents — Al Mehtab has spent a century refining a single discipline: bringing the world's most exceptional harvests to those who recognise them.
Archival Fragment · Deira, c. 1927
The Founding
Sardar Mehtab Singh Kochar · Founder
The story begins in 1854 with the Kochar family — a name long associated with the trade of fine goods. In 1927, Sardar Mehtab Singh Kochar carried that lineage into the Middle East. His vision, paired with an adventurous spirit and a merchant's intuition, would shape an enduring presence in Dubai.
From a modest post in the bustling lanes of Old Deira, Sardar Mehtab Singh built a reputation upon a simple promise: sell only what you would proudly carry home. That promise crossed seas with him.
His son, Jagjit Singh Kochar, and his grandson, Gurjit Singh Kochar, have since carried the house forward — deepening partnerships across continents, planting roots in new markets, never compromising the standard their patriarch set.
Through the Generations
1854
The Kochar Lineage
The Kochar family begins its tradition of trading craft — the foundation upon which Al Mehtab is built.
1927
Dubai
Sardar Mehtab Singh Kochar's adventurous spirit lands in the Middle East. He establishes his trading house in Old Deira, earning respect across the region.
1960s
Second Generation
Jagjit Singh Kochar inherits his father's standard and expands the house's reach across Asia and East Africa.
Today
Fourth Generation
Gurjit Singh Kochar leads with the same principles — sustainable growth, partnerships built on trust, and an unyielding commitment to single-origin quality.
The Values We Inherited
A house is only as strong as the principles it refuses to sell.
— Community
Supporting the farming villages, harvesters and cooperatives we have worked with for decades.
— Sustainability
Sun-curing, hand-sorting, minimal-intervention practices that honour the land and the harvest.
— The Customer
Every relationship — from a single chef to a global trade partner — placed at the centre of the house.
— Refinement
An obsession with continuous improvement; never the easy yield, always the better one.
— Provenance
Innovation in sourcing and traceability, so each item carries the story of its origin.