Point of view. It’s June 2018, and Brightland has entered the chat, launching as a direct-to-consumer brand with two premium, California extra virgin olive oil products. Named “Alive” and “Awake,” and packaged in opaque white bottles with minimalist, design-forward labels, they’re a departure from what consumers are accustomed to for a pantry staple.
Effortlessly chic, it’s olive oil that strikes a pose, demanding to be displayed on the kitchen countertop versus hidden away in the cabinet next to the peach vinegar that hasn't been touched in five years.
Within days of its release and introduction in New York Times’ T Magazine “5 Things T Editors Like Right Now” under the sub-head “A Better Olive Oil,” Brightland sells out. From her Los Angeles home base, founder Aishwarya Iyer works furiously to keep up with demand, reaffixing labels to the powder-coated bottles and writing personal notes to customers.
POV. It’s June 2025. Brightland is a household name, its product portfolio spanning far beyond its flagship oils that disrupted not only the olive oil category, but the broader sector of quality-driven consumer packaged goods.
“The Artist Capsule” of flavored oils boasts labels designed by visionary artists such as Lilian Martinez and now-culinary creator Peter Som. Double-fermented vinegars and unfiltered honeys showcase the brand’s commitment to championing California-born products crafted with transparency and intention. And as of this month, “The Everyday Set” brings the same level of care and peak-harvest flavor to an irresistibly squeezable duo of 100% extra virgin cooking + salad olive oils.
The latest launch is emblematic of Brightland’s impact. Beyond inspiring entrepreneurs across all verticals of packaged goods to consider or reconsider the visual ethos and mission statement of their product(s), Brightland shape-shifted consumer expectations. It spurred and contributed to a movement toward culinary items that stand out on the shelf and effectively communicate meticulous sourcing practices. “The Everyday Set” underscores that this demand isn’t limited to an aspirational subcategory; cooks want these items within reach for daily use.
As chefs who have obsessed about every ingredient that passes through our restaurant kitchens for decades, we love to see that passion. And as a company conceptualized to bring restaurant-quality dried pasta into the home, we recognize our seat at the table is in part possible because of brands such as Brightland.
In short: The food system gets better when we’re all in it together.
POV. It’s July 7, and Aishwarya Iyer is sitting in our Pasta People hot seat. We have six questions for the game-changing founder, and she's taking us back to her brightest Brightland moments and the simple pasta recipe (also a favorite of ours!) that's always in her back pocket.
It’s been seven years since you launched Brightland. Looking back, what’s in your highlight reel – your proudest moment or an experience that vividly stands out from Brightland’s trajectory?
There have been so many moments that felt like magic—seeing Brightland on Oprah’s Favorite Things, our Whole Foods launch—but honestly, the thing that stands out most is hearing from people that our products became part of their homes, their routines, their joy. That and the pride I felt when I saw our first harvest bottled. I cried!
You’ve spent years developing “The Everyday Set.” What makes these products so special?
These are the oils I wanted in my own kitchen but couldn’t find—clean, beautiful, trustworthy California-made staples that are truly for everyday cooking and eating. We spent three years getting it right because it had to taste incredible and be made with the same integrity we’ve had since day one. It’s the kind of thing I wish my younger self had access to when she was just learning how to cook.
From day one, Brightland has championed products produced in California. Why was it so important to you to work with California farms and purveyors?
There’s something about California sunlight—it gives life in such a vivid way. From the beginning, I wanted to shine a light on what’s grown and made here, and to do it with transparency and deep respect for the land. Sourcing locally means we’re supporting small, family-run farms, staying close to the harvest, and bottling freshness at its peak. California also has some of the highest standards in the country for olive oil production, which helps ensure purity, quality, and integrity in every bottle. It's not just about geography—it’s about care at every step.
Walk us through your “Shift Notes.” What’s a day-in-the-life like for you?
My day starts early with cuddles from my daughter and a few minutes to journal or meditate. I head to our LA office—and it’s a day filled with meetings, check-ins, and making sure I’m supporting the team where it counts. Evenings are for dinner with my family, a skincare moment, and some quiet time to reflect or just be.
Brightland’s name is in part inspired by the lyrics of a 1967 Seekers song. What song or album do you think best represents Brightland in 2025?
Here Comes The Sun (doo doo doo doo!)
We always ask our Pasta People to share their go-to pasta dish. What’s the recipe you always go back to, and what Brightland product(s) are you using?
Aglio e olio with good spaghetti, a little heat, and a lot of garlic—it’s comfort and elegance all at once. I use our Everyday Cooking Oil to sauté, then finish with a drizzle of our Garlic Olive Oil or Chili Oil if I want to turn things up a notch.
