Despite our attempts at oil pulling, sea buckthorn-drinking, and bitter melon-eating, one of the few health trends we can really get behind is juicing. Luckily, our local juicer is hardly the trendy juice bar where we’re shamed into buying $12 worth of juices. Instead, Madhufalla in Nolita is a small (organic) health-food store with farmers-market-worthy greens and the sweetest man behind the counter: Jerry Karma.
We dropped by one day to interview Jerry about the latest juice trends, and how he ended up in the health food movement.
JESSICA CHOU: What’s the latest juice trend?
JERRY KARMA: We have a lot of youths getting into juicing, and they’re always creating their own smoothies. They always ask for either kale or açaí, and people love hemp smoothie—hemp is high in omega and it’s good for your joints, skin, hair. They also add ginger or lemon in their green juices to make [them] a bit sweeter.
What is an ingredient that most people don’t know about?
Bee pollen. We mix it with vanilla protein and banana. Basically, bee pollen builds your immune system, and it’s good for your skin, too.
Why is eating organic important to you?
Back in my country, we used to eat almost 90 percent organic. Whatever we grow, we grow ourselves and we eat.
What made you move to the US from Bhutan?
I just thought, “Take the opportunity. Have some adventures.” And, you know, New York is a famous city. So, [I thought], "Why don’t I try it and experience life out here?"
What’s the best part about New York?
There are lots of beautiful places, but the best part is the shopping. If you have the money, you can get whatever you wish to buy. In my country, even if you have money, you cannot get the right stuff that you need.
What’s the worst part?
It’s a little bit rough. The people, they’re rude, especially when you travel in the subway, or in certain areas. And, I’ve found that there’s a sort of racism, being Asian. I think we are looked down on.
Where do you go to get away?
The parks. I really miss nature because back home I grew up in the countryside and most of the time I spent my time in the forest with the trees and the animals. So it makes me feel really calm, hearing the wind between the leaves in the trees.
Favorite juice?
I start every morning with a green juice.
Madhufalla
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Madhufalla in Nolita. Photos by Jessica Chou
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Jerry Karma
We dropped by one day to interview Jerry about the latest juice trends, and how he ended up in the health food movement.
JESSICA CHOU: What’s the latest juice trend?
JERRY KARMA: We have a lot of youths getting into juicing, and they’re always creating their own smoothies. They always ask for either kale or açaí, and people love hemp smoothie—hemp is high in omega and it’s good for your joints, skin, hair. They also add ginger or lemon in their green juices to make [them] a bit sweeter.
What is an ingredient that most people don’t know about?
Bee pollen. We mix it with vanilla protein and banana. Basically, bee pollen builds your immune system, and it’s good for your skin, too.
Why is eating organic important to you?
Back in my country, we used to eat almost 90 percent organic. Whatever we grow, we grow ourselves and we eat.
What made you move to the US from Bhutan?
I just thought, “Take the opportunity. Have some adventures.” And, you know, New York is a famous city. So, [I thought], "Why don’t I try it and experience life out here?"
What’s the best part about New York?
There are lots of beautiful places, but the best part is the shopping. If you have the money, you can get whatever you wish to buy. In my country, even if you have money, you cannot get the right stuff that you need.
What’s the worst part?
It’s a little bit rough. The people, they’re rude, especially when you travel in the subway, or in certain areas. And, I’ve found that there’s a sort of racism, being Asian. I think we are looked down on.
Where do you go to get away?
The parks. I really miss nature because back home I grew up in the countryside and most of the time I spent my time in the forest with the trees and the animals. So it makes me feel really calm, hearing the wind between the leaves in the trees.
Favorite juice?
I start every morning with a green juice.
Madhufalla
185 - 193 Mulberry St.
New York, NY 10012
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Madhufalla in Nolita. Photos by Jessica Chou
Jerry Karma