10 Best Namkeen in India 2021 - Buying Guide Reviewed By Chef

We would like to elevate a little more by this top 10 list to get you your desired namkeen.

Edwin is a chef specializing in the field of bakery. He's got his training from a 5-star hotel in Mussoorie, Jaypee Residency Manor. Currently, Edwin is pursuing a master's in international hotel & tourism management. You can reach out to him on Facebook.

So below here we have identified a few parameters which will change your perspective while buying these mini crunchy bites. Namkeen are not only known for their taste but also ingredients, types, flavours, shapes, combos, and more.  So, check the details to buy the best namkeen. 

Whether you like it crispy or chewy, hot or mild, savory or tangy, and many more, these namkeens can create extremely yummy flavours. Irrespective of the age, simple flavours have a plain taste and are liked by most. It is rightly said that tea time must be complemented with some gossip and namkeen. Aloo bhujia and moong dal fit well because of their simple yet delicious taste.

While watching a movie or when home partying with friends, then the mood calls for flavours that are a little tangy, a little spicy, a little achari, or even a combination of all of them. If you feel like pushing the boundaries, you can go for extreme flavours like achari mathi and garlic peanuts, they will have a strong taste of achaar or spiced garlic, which will stick to your mouth.

While gulping down alcohol most of us in India need those side snacks but not everyone has the time to make dishes like paneer tikka, chicken tikka, or kebabs. So many people resort to grabbing namkeens as they go well with chakna which is the art of eating with drinking alcohol. 

Certain Namkeens have the aptest flavours during these occasions. One can look for namkeens like chickpeas lemon achari, karare peanuts, or chatpata mix as they are crunchy and spicy, so, they are a perfect combo with alcohol. 

Namkeens vary from a single pattern like aloo bhujia, also called one flavoured namkeen, to a mixture of several different types like bombay mix. Depending on your preference, you can decide which taste satisfies you the most.

Specialty namkeens are also called single segment namkeens and they give you one specific taste. These types of namkeens are of the same size, shape, and colour and the best example for that would be bhujia. It depends what kind of bhujia one wants to buy because there are many flavours but if you buy aloo bhujia then, you will specifically experience fried potato with salt. 

Mixed namkeens are the combination of many namkeens and mixtures of kaju, badam, aloo bhujia, matri, daal are commonly seen and with each bite, they give you different taste. Unlike specialty namkeens, they are different in size, shape, and colour.

By purchasing a single pack of namkeen like navratan mixture, one can experience multiple flavours of dhania, garam masala, pepper, red chilli, spinach leaves, heeng, and many more.

Today more and more people are shifting to healthier options because of increasing adulteration in the market food. Either food or snack available in the market is healthy or it can be tasty but a combination of healthy yet tasty is hard to see. 

Mindful eating if combined with tadakta-fadakta taste can end up being a very cool combination and our product recommendation list has many such combinations. Before buying, one can avoid substances like, synthetic colours, maltodextrin (used as a thickening agent), hydrogenated oils, chemical-based flavours, and flavour enhancers.

Namkeen has a lot of ingredients, some of them might not be appropriate for your body. People who are suffering from high cholesterol can choose namkeens without trans-fat. 30% of India’s population is vegetarian, so one might want to look for absolute-vegetarian options.

As some namkeens might have traces of dairy products or even eggs, so vegans can refer to the ingredients list at the back. Although, companies today are considering all these options so vegan namkeens are increasing. There are namkeens which might have onion and garlic so, Brahmins, Pandits, and others who avoid onion and garlic can make sure before buying.

Many companies like Haldiram, Bhikharam Chandmal, Bikano, eatAnytime, and others are trying to consider all the above mentioned dietary restrictions and today the market has much more to offer than yesterday. So, be rest assured and try the new flavours and combinations of these munchies.

Some people are allergic or intolerant to a few substances. Gluten, which is a mixture of proteins present in grains can be an intolerant substance to some people, look out for gluten-free namkeens. Similarly, people with wheat, soy, and peanut allergies should avoid mix namkeens because they often have these ingredients.

Some people are allergic to dairy products because they can’t fully digest the sugar called lactose in the milk, but don’t worry even if you’re lactose intolerant, there are some companies like Ketofy who are paying attention to such allergies and now many options are available in the market.

Giving namkeen its perfect place can be a task, many struggle to find that area where it can be retained in its original form. People usually tie a rubber band to their namkeen packages but then it loses its flavour and crunchiness. 

If not stored in a cool dry place and packed in an air-tight container then the namkeen tends to become soggy. You can extend the life and maintain the crunchiness of namkeen by keeping it in the refrigerator from the very beginning.

Those who are always on-the-go, check out this easy recipe for peanut masala:

Ingredients:

• Salted peanuts (200 gm)
• Onions chopped (100 gm)
• Tomatoes chopped (100 gm)
• Aloo bhujia (100 gm)
• Cilantro chopped
• Lime juice (20 ml)
• Salt
• Chaat masala

Method:

Mix all the ingredients and garnish with cilantro.

In India when the guests enter, one wishes to flaunt their tray loaded with a variety of snacks. Here, check out some more snacks to add another charm to your tray.

The creation of this absolute mouth-watering snack is not an easy task. Namkeens can surely get you that eureka moment by the combination of Indian mixed spices. Choosing a namkeen is not that difficult but we might have widened your perspective so that you can consider it more closely. Hope you can find your best namkeen. 

Author: Nikhil Deora