How this Mumbai mom duo is lending a healthy twist to traditional Indian snacks

World over Indians are famous for snacking Nothing asserts this better than the roaring success of USbased Patel stores We Indians like our munchies with a dash of zest Be it Chaklis Puris Sev or Khakras Indian households remain stocked with the choicest snacks around the seasons With a variety of snacks to serve us a mouthful nutritional standards often go for a hikeHowever mothers are a resilient breed Gauging a nutritive gap in the Indian snack market Mumbaibased Anchal Abrol and Priya Puri stepped in to revamp the inherent value of traditional snacks Mothers and secondtime entrepreneurs the duo conceived Snaqary a multigrain snack chain to bridge the nutritional gap found in widely binged Indian snacksWith the goodness of grains and toothsome flavours Snaqary is offering diverse options which include periperi khakhra and mathri multigrain sev soyacoated peanuts bajra puri biscotti and more Recalling her inspiration Abrol reveals that the idea for Snaqary sprouted from her grandmotherrsquos kitchen secrets ldquoShe taught us how to twist munchies like samosas and kachoris with healthier substitutes of grains and greensrdquoTraditional snacks dominating Indian stores are primarily made out of besan maida and corn Apart from their subservient nutritional value these crops undergo an increased pressure of production causing an imbalance in the crop ecosystem Filling up these dual deficits of lack of variety and inferior nutrition the mother duo began to prepare lipsmacking snacks with millet gram and maizeMillets have been traditionally consumed by our forefathers and are farmerfriendly as they adapt to a range of climate conditions Now while besan is of paramount importance to Indian kitchens replacing it with healthier alternatives like millet not only enhances the nutritional standards but also supplements a touch of variety to the available snacks on the Indian countersAfter getting struck with the idea Abrol and Puri did not wait for too long ldquoWe got into curating recipes and experimented with new ingredients in our kitchens Then we got our friends family and neighbours to taste the snacks and share feedback for us to work onrdquoTake their multigrain sev for example Instead of sticking to just chickpea flour they mixed in grains like ragi Bengal gram lentils and corn to create a snack thatrsquos high in taste and packed with nutrition They also experimented with a beloved snack bhakarwadi and gave it a healthier twist by using whole wheat flour and baking instead of fryingThe duo didnrsquot stop there They also came up with a tasty and healthier version of the traditional snack Puri Made with bajra flour and a variety of spices and greens with just a hint of maida for binding their readytoeat Bajra Puris come in four tasty flavours methi palak peri peri and cream and onionThe duo started identifying vendors who shared the same value system when it came to healthful snacking ldquoWe found vendors who were ready to support us and help us build a brand that revolutionised the multigrain snack industryrdquo shared Abrol These vendors became instrumental in commercialising healthy recipes and expanding their reach to a wider audienceThey worked with industry experts to develop a variety of options including organic and plantbased options as well as traditional snacks like baked goods roasted treats sauces and dips puris sev sticks and seeds The process of creating a commercial recipe for different snacks took almost a year which went through several checks before getting finalisedThe snacks produced were preservativefree transfatfree colourfree and made using traditional grains and natural flavours When it comes to a food venture that is mindful of the ingredients quality checks gain primary importance Snaqaryrsquos first employee was a food technologist hired on priority to conduct quality testing and consistency in terms of taste texture and nutritionThis belief in the power of traditional and natural ingredients to transform snacks is the driving force behind Snaqary With a wide variety of over 35 products the mother duo is dishing zingy tasty and nutritious snacks to over 50000 customers across the country From their humble beginnings in Mumbai they have now spread their healthful treats to patrons in Pune Delhi Hyderabad and KolkataAlso Read Motherrsquos Day Meet the mother who placed Indiarsquos first gay matrimonial ad