San Antonio, TX – The vibrant culinary landscape of Texas is once again celebrated, as H-E-B announced the esteemed winners of its 12th Annual H-E-B Quest for Texas Best competition on September 25, 2025. Among the distinguished honorees was Dallas-based Spicytude, a company specializing in authentic Indian spices and chai tea, which secured a commendable third-place finish. This recognition not only brings a $10,000 prize but also the significant opportunity for Spicytude’s products to be featured on H-E-B store shelves across the state, promising to introduce a new wave of authentic flavors to Texas kitchens.
A Premier Platform for Texas Food Innovation
The H-E-B Quest for Texas Best competition stands as a cornerstone event in the state’s food industry, dedicated to discovering and championing unique, Texas-made products. Each year, hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs and established small businesses submit their creations, vying for recognition, prize money, and the invaluable chance to partner with one of Texas’s largest grocery retailers. This year’s competition saw an impressive turnout, with over 370 entries submitted by creative individuals from nearly 150 cities throughout the Lone Star State. The rigorous selection process culminated in San Antonio, where judges meticulously evaluated each product’s quality, marketability, and distinct Texas appeal.
Spicytude’s Journey to Culinary Recognition
Spicytude, founded by Arpi Neravetla, emerged as a standout winner, representing the rich tapestry of culinary traditions present in Texas. Neravetla established the company with a heartfelt mission: to share the authentic spices and time-honored recipes passed down through generations of her family. The company’s meticulously crafted offerings include a diverse range of Indian spice blends, essential for creating popular dishes such as tikka masala, vindaloo chicken, butter chicken, and rice pilaf. These premium blends, priced between $15 and $18, are designed to bring authentic Indian cooking within reach for busy home cooks. Alongside its savory spice selections, Spicytude also offers a fragrant chai masala tea blend, available both as a standalone product and in attractive gift sets. Neravetla’s dedication to authenticity and quality has clearly resonated with the judges, earning Spicytude a well-deserved third-place tie and national exposure.
A Taste of Texas’s Diverse Food Scene
This year’s Quest for Texas Best showcased an exceptional array of talent, with five top winners taking home a combined total of $110,000 in prize money, in addition to the opportunity for retail placement. The competition awarded five companies, acknowledging ties for third place, distributing $135,000 in total prize money among the ten finalists.
The 2025 winners included:
* Grand Prize Winner ($50,000): Oca Foods (Austin) for their innovative peanut butter bites and sugar-free peanut butter bites.
* First Place Winner ($25,000): Tozi Super Foods (Austin) for their nutritious blue corn tortillas and tortilla chips, incorporating ancient grains like amaranth.
* Second Place Winner ($15,000): Deli Spices (McAllen) for their authentic birria spice mix, simplifying traditional Mexican cooking.
* Third Place Winner (Tied, $10,000): Spicytude (Dallas) for their range of Indian spice blends and chai tea.
* Third Place Winner (Tied, $10,000): My Drink Bomb (Houston) for their creative and convenient cocktail and mocktail mixers.
These diverse winners highlight the breadth of innovation within the Texas food and beverage industry, from healthy snacks and heritage-based foods to expertly crafted seasonings and convenient beverage solutions. This event serves as a powerful engine for small businesses, offering them a platform to grow and connect with a wider audience. Such food competitions are crucial for driving culinary trends and supporting the local economy.
Fueling Growth and Culinary Trends
The H-E-B Quest for Texas Best has consistently proven to be more than just a contest; it’s a launchpad for aspiring food entrepreneurs. Over its 12-year history, the competition has unearthed over 1,000 unique Texas-made products, with many becoming household names and popular items on H-E-B shelves. The program has awarded nearly $2.75 million in prize money, alongside invaluable marketing, mentoring, and supplemental business support. Furthermore, 55 past winners have achieved the milestone of $1 million in sales, earning them a prestigious H-E-B Million Dollar Club belt buckle. For Spicytude, this award signifies a major step forward, promising increased visibility and access to a broader customer base. As unique food products continue to be trending, this achievement positions Spicytude to introduce authentic Indian culinary experiences to more Texans, potentially influencing home cooking and dining habits across the state. The inclusion of businesses like Spicytude, Deli Spices, and Tozi Super Foods in major retail chains like H-E-B not only benefits the entrepreneurs but also enriches the food offerings available to consumers, reinforcing Texas’s reputation as a hub for culinary excellence and innovation. While the competition celebrates a wide range of food and beverage items, it also provides a vital boost to the restaurant and home cooking industries by introducing high-quality, specialty ingredients.
Spicytude’s success at the H-E-B Quest for Texas Best 2025 is a testament to the quality of its products and its founder’s dedication to preserving and sharing authentic family recipes. Texans can soon look forward to discovering the vibrant flavors of India, brought to them directly from Dallas, on the shelves of their local H-E-B.
