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Bikaneri Bhujia – The Crunchy Legacy of Rajasthan

1. Name & Origin

Bikaneri Bhujia is a world-famous Indian savory snack that hails from Bikaner, Rajasthan. This crispy, golden-brown delicacy is made primarily from moth bean flour, gram flour, and a blend of traditional spices. Bikaneri Bhujia is more than just a snack—it is a part of Rajasthan’s rich culinary heritage and has become an integral part of Indian and global food culture.

The origins of Bikaneri Bhujia trace back to 1877, when Maharaja Shri Dungar Singh of Bikaner commissioned a new snack to serve at his royal court. The resulting crispy, spiced sev quickly gained popularity, spreading from the palace to local households. Over time, small-scale manufacturers began producing it commercially, and today, Bikaneri Bhujia is a household name in India and abroad.

In 2010, Bikaneri Bhujia was granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, ensuring that only products made in Bikaner, Rajasthan can be labeled as "Bikaneri Bhujia."

Image Credit: The Better India
Image Credit: The Better India

 

 

2. Unique Features

Bikaneri Bhujia stands out due to its distinctive taste, crisp texture, and aromatic spice blend, all of which are influenced by Bikaner’s unique climate and traditional preparation methods.

Key Features:

  • Crispy & Light Texture – Achieved through the perfect ratio of moth bean and gram flour.

  • Spicy & Flavorful – Seasoned with black pepper, red chili, asafoetida, cardamom, and cloves.

  • Handmade Expertise – Traditionally hand-pressed through a sieve (Jharra) and deep-fried for perfect crispness.

  • Unique Climate Influence – The dry and arid climate of Bikaner, along with its saline water, enhances the bhujia’s crispness and shelf life.

  • Global Recognition – Exported to multiple countries and sold by leading Indian brands like Haldiram’s and Bikaji.

    Image Credit: The Times of India
    Image Credit: The Times of India

 

3. Making Process

Bikaneri Bhujia is still made using traditional techniques passed down for generations.

Step 1: Ingredient Selection

  • The key ingredients include moth bean flour, gram flour, salt, red chili, black pepper, cardamom, and cloves.

  • The locally grown moth bean is a drought-resistant crop, making it ideal for Rajasthan’s arid climate.

Step 2: Dough Preparation

  • The ingredients are mixed with groundnut oil and water to form a soft, pliable dough.

Step 3: Shaping & Frying

  • The dough is pressed through a Jharra (sieve) into hot oil at 175-180°C.

  • It is deep-fried until golden and crispy.

Step 4: Cooling & Packaging

  • The fried bhujia is cooled, sorted, and packed to retain freshness.

  • Traditional bhujia is hand-packed, ensuring minimal breakage.

 

4. Impact of GI (Geographical Indication) Status

The GI tag (2010) has played a significant role in preserving the authenticity of Bikaneri Bhujia.

Economic Impact

The Bikaneri Bhujia industry employs over 2.5 million people, especially women. It supports local farmers by increasing demand for moth beans and gram flour. The snack generates ₹5,000+ crore in annual sales, including exports to the USA, UK, and UAE.

Sustainability Impact

Local producers are adopting eco-friendly packaging and sourcing organic ingredients. The industry promotes sustainable dryland farming, reducing water-intensive crops. Handmade production methods ensure minimal machine dependency.

 

5. How to Identify Authentic Bikaneri Bhujia?

GI Tag Certification – Genuine Bikaneri Bhujia bears the official GI logo.

Golden-Yellow Color – Authentic bhujia has a light yellow or lemon-yellow hue.

Fine & Crispy Texture – Unlike other sev varieties, Bikaneri Bhujia is extra-crispy and light.

Distinctive Aroma – A mix of spices, roasted gram flour, and earthy moth bean.

Slightly Spicy Taste – Authentic bhujia has a mild heat from longi mirch (Rajasthani chili).

 

 

6. Challenges

Despite its worldwide popularity, Bikaneri Bhujia faces several challenges:

  • Imitation Products – Many brands outside Bikaner sell "bhujia" under the same name without following traditional recipes.

  • Increasing Machine Production – The rise of automated manufacturing threatens handmade bhujia's authenticity.

  • Climate Change Impact – Rising temperatures and irregular rainfall affect moth bean production.

  • Competition from MNCs – Companies like PepsiCo and Kellogg’s have attempted to introduce bhujia-style snacks, creating market challenges.

  • Rising Costs – Increasing prices of oil, pulses, and spices affect small-scale manufacturers.

 

7. Fun Facts

Bikaneri Bhujia has been made for over 145 years – since 1877! A single street in Bikaner has over 500 bhujia shops, selling freshly made bhujia every day. Bikaneri Bhujia was granted a GI tag in 2010, just like Champagne from France. Some families in Bikaner guard their secret spice recipes, passing them down for generations. It is a global snack – available in Walmart (USA), online stores, and Indian grocery chains worldwide.

 

References 

1.     Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999 (India)

2.     Bikaneri Bhujia, Geographical Indications Registry, Application No. 76, Registered 2010

3.     Tea Board of India, ‘GI Tags of India: A Compilation’ (2020) https://www.teaboard.gov.in/ accessed 24 February 2025

4.     Ministry of Commerce and Industry, ‘Handbook on GI Tagged Indian Products’ (2021) https://www.ipindia.nic.in/ accessed 24 February 2025

5.     CNN, ‘Bikaner, Rajasthan: The City That Made Bhujia a Global Snack’ (CNN Travel, 15 January 2024) https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/bikaner-bhujia-gi-tag accessed 24 February 2025

6.     The Hindu, ‘Bikaneri Bhujia: From Royal Kitchens to Global Recognition’ (The Hindu, 20 November 2023) https://www.thehindu.com/business/bikaneri-bhujia-gi accessed 24 February 2025

7.     Times of India, ‘How Bikaneri Bhujia Became India’s Most Popular Namkeen’ (TOI, 5 December 2023) https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bikaneri-bhujia-history accessed 24 February 2025

8.     Economic Times, ‘India’s ₹5000 Crore Namkeen Market and the Role of Bikaneri Bhujia’ (Economic Times, 10 February 2024) https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/bhujia-market-analysis accessed 24 February 2025

9.     Haldiram’s Official Website, ‘Authentic Bikaneri Bhujia: Our Legacy’ (Haldiram’s, 2023) https://www.haldirams.com/ accessed 24 February 2025

 

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