FAQ

Do you ship to Canada?

We are currently working on setting up our Canadian warehouse and will be offering shipping across Canada very soon. Stay tuned! 

Are your meals vegan?

Our meals have ghee (clarified butter) which is a staple in Indian cooking. Often, folks that are lactose intolerant find since the milk solids have been removed they do not have any issues with ghee. However, we are actively testing some vegan recipes and looking to launch in the near future!

Is freeze-dried same as dehydrated?

So glad you asked! No it isn’t. Freeze drying is a technique where the food is flash frozen and then undergoes a process of sublimation to essentially extract water content. This is where the for shelf stability comes from. Freeze drying is superior to dehydration as it preserves more nutrients, freshness, taste and flavor. Additional perk is that the rehydration time is much shorter - this is why our meals are ready to eat in 5 minutes!

Where are your meals manufactured?

We went back to our roots and the source of spices - India! Our meals were ideated in Toronto, crafted in San Francisco and made in Surat.

Where can I eat these?

Really ANYWHERE! You just need to find a source of hot water, or a way to heat water and you’ll have a clean, flavorful and comforting meal ready in five minutes. Perfect for camping, backpacking, bikepacking, road trips (just get hot water at any coffee shop!), music festivals, in flights or at airports, dorms. We were enlightened to many of these during the face-to-face conversations we’ve have with over 100k of you over the last year. If you discover a new use case, reach out - we’d love to expand!

How spicy are these?

In sampling over thousands of recipes, we have found that every person has their own custom flavor and spice thumbprint. Some spices like fresh green chilis feel around the lips, others like garam masala and red chilli can be felt in the back of the throat. Sensitivities to each are hard to be aware of and explore. Having said that, most of our recipes are within a general range. The Idli Sambar is the spiciest of them all

Where have your meals traveled?

Alaska, Iceland, Mount Hood, Canada

Why is your brand name Good Detour?

We have come to understand life an a constantly evolving series of detours. From growing up in various different parts of the world among folks from all different culture, our founder really found herself adapting and learning the magic of flexibility. When she met our other co-founder, they kept finding themselves on different misadventures. The name good detour came to them on one of these adventures…every detour can lead to scenic vistas and experiences (within ourselves or in real life). There is a charm to getting lost and embracing unknowns. So our Good Detour philosophy is an ode to letting go of control and chasing perfection, rather enjoying the detours and embracing the magic of life often found in the spontaneous unplanned experiences where we open ourselves to receive.