Rainy Season Snacks: Savouring India’s Monsoon Flavours – I
India’s vast geography encompasses diverse climates, from the freezing northern and eastern regions to the scorching Thar Desert, Ladakh’s cold desert, and Gujarat’s salt desert. The country boasts an extensive coastline on three sides, dense forests in the Western Ghats, and the fertile plains of central India, showcasing an incredible array of natural landscapes.
Yet, the Indian climate is primarily classified as tropical monsoon, with most of the country experiencing monsoon rains. However, the monsoon doesn’t arrive simultaneously across the nation. As a major global system, the Indian monsoon blows from the northeast during cooler months. It reverses direction to the southwest during the warmest months, bringing heavy rainfall from June to August.
The arrival of the monsoon season in India is met with great anticipation. After months of scorching heat, the rain brings a welcome relief, transforming the landscape into a lush green paradise. Farmers in India eagerly await the monsoon, as it is crucial for their crops. The seasonal rains replenish the soil and fill reservoirs, ensuring a bountiful harvest. This abundance directly impacts the availability and variety of food, enriching our tables with fresh, nutritious produce that defines India’s culinary landscape.
Along with the refreshing weather and verdant scenery, the monsoon season also brings an array of delectable snacks that make the rainy days even more enjoyable. From hot fried treats to healthy and packaged options, the variety of rainy-day snacks available during this time is truly delightful.
These snacks cater to diverse palates and preferences, offering something for everyone. For those who crave indulgence, there’s an array of ready-to-cook savoury delights, perfect for enjoying with a steaming cup of chai. Health-conscious individuals can opt for wholesome, nutritious alternatives like roasted corn and boiled peanuts. Busy professionals and students on the go will appreciate the convenience of delicious packaged snacks that are easy to carry and enjoy anywhere. Families can relish homemade treats, creating warm memories together. The rainy season’s culinary offerings are as varied as the audience they cater to, making it a joyous time for food lovers of all ages.
Hot Fried Frozen Ready-to-Cook (RTC) Products
One of the joys of the monsoon season is indulging in hot, crispy snacks that perfectly complement a cup of steaming tea or coffee. Frozen ready-to-cook (RTC) products have become increasingly popular, offering convenience without compromising on taste. Nuggets, momos, and French fries are some favourites that can be quickly prepared and enjoyed, making them a go-to option for rainy days.
The flavour of these ready-to-cook snacks can be significantly enhanced by adding a variety of seasonings, such as peri peri, cheese cream and onion, barbeque, chili garlic, fiery lemon, and chat masala; sprinkling them with different spices, like paprika, cumin, and chili flakes. Serving them with a selection of delicious dips, including tangy salsa, creamy hummus, or spicy mustard, will further elevate their taste, making these snacks more enjoyable for everyone.
Home-Cooked Favourites
For those who prefer home-cooked snacks, the monsoon season offers the perfect opportunity to whip up some traditional favourites like Pakoras (fritters). In India, we have a variety of pakoras including, onion, corn, spinach, chili, and bread pakoras. These are quintessential rainy-day treats, best enjoyed hot with tangy mint chutney, spicy chili onion chutney, sweet tamarind chutney, or tangy tomato sauce; some people even like it with tangy lemon pickle.
Samosas, another beloved snack, are a staple during the monsoon. These triangular pastries filled with spicy potatoes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Paired with tamarind chutney or dry garlic chutney they are a crowd-pleaser. Noodles with a variety of seasonings like Schezwan, Mexican, Italian, and Thai are also favourite snacks of Gen Z and millennials. Grilled cheese sandwiches and savoury croissants are also one of the best rainy-season snacks. The warm, gluey cheese in the sandwiches and the flavourful noodles are perfect for warding off the chill of a rainy day.
Healthy Snack Options
While indulging in fried snacks is a monsoon tradition, there are plenty of healthy options to enjoy as well. Roasted corn, known locally as bhutta, is a monsoon favourite. The smoky, charred flavour of the corn, seasoned with salt and lemon, is a simple yet delightful treat. Steamed masala corn, where kernels are mixed with spices and butter, is another healthy and tasty option.
Boiled masala peanuts are a nutritious snack, a protein-rich treat that is both healthy and satisfying. Gourmet protein-rich soups, made with a variety of vegetables and lentils, are also perfect for the monsoon. They are warm, comforting, and packed with nutrients, making them an ideal choice for those looking to eat healthily during the rainy season.
Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Packaged Snacks
Stay tuned for our second blog where we delve into the world of India’s monsoon season snacks, focusing on the convenience and variety of Ready-to-Eat (RTE) packaged options.
Keva Flavours’ offerings
Are you a snack manufacturer, quick-serving restaurant (QSR), or FMCG brand looking to add a spicy zing to your rainy season snacks, or trying to enhance your tea offerings to provide warmth to your consumers during the rainy season? Keva Flavours can help you make the best rainy season snacks with mouthwatering flavours.
At Keva flavours, we specialize in developing products with delicious flavours and offer co-creation services, recipe re-engineering, and exploration of new avenues with fusion flavours. To learn more about our flavours and seasonings please click here or write us at connect.flavours@keva.co.in
Download our brochure and read our blogs, to uncover more about our flavours.
Keep savouring the best rainy season snacks!
Array
Keva has an extensive flavour shop for various food and beverage applications, besides a team of expert flavourists and food technologists for creating custom flavours and matches. To partner with us, contact Keva today.
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