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Crispy, spicy, tangy, and sweet. Maharashtra’s Bakharwadi is a perfect snack. So, keep it in mind to try this delicious crisp snack item whenever you travel to Maharashtra.
It was in Pune in 1954 when Mr Raghunath Rao Chitale started an enterprise named ‘Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale’. Today, the Chitale Bandhu brand is well known worldwide for the excellent quality of Bhakarwadis and many other sweets and snacks they sell. My tryst with Bhakarwadis began in my childhood when my aunt, who lives in Pune, brought a few packets of these delicious-tasting goodies for us. Much later, as I explored the city of Pune for its culinary marvels, my journey started from Chitale Bandhu and the familiar tasting Bhakarwadis.
What is Bhakarwadi?
Originating from Gujarat, Bhakarwadi is made of gram flour dough, which is rolled out and stuffed with a spicy and tangy mixture of different Indian spices, tamarind, chillies, poppy seeds, dried mango, heeng, with the sweetness of coconut balancing out the flavour of this deep-fried snack rolls. Bakharwadi, originally a Gujarati ‘farsan’, was made famous by Chitale Bandhu. The slight tweak to its recipe makes it spicier than the slightly sweeter Gujarati version, making it a rage on the spice-loving palate of the Maharashtrians. Bakharwadi not only carries exquisite taste but is also an attractive looking innovative Indian snack, which looks appealing on the plate, so much that no one can hold himself from picking a piece to try and then find it tough to stop eating. It’s addictive.
Gujarat’s Bhakarwadi
Bhakarwadi originated in Gujarat
In Gujarat, too, the original birthplace of Bhakarwadi, it makes for a loved snack item. Jagdish Farsaan in Vadodara is another enterprise known for its fantastic ‘Bhakarwadis’ and has been a favourite among ‘Farsaan’ lovers. Gujarat earns the credit for making Farsaans famous all over India and abroad. An interesting observation will lead us to understand how the neighbouring states have picked up on the same and created versions and newer dishes to add to the list of Indian ‘Farsans’. In Southern Rajasthan, Gujarati ‘Farsaans’ are quite famous and almost a part of their daily diet. The neighbouring city of Ratlam is another centre for the delicious namkeens it produces, especially the Ratlami sev. Bhakarwadi is now available not just in Maharashtra but is also exported to many international markets like the USA, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Australia. For those travelling in India, look out for Chitale Bandhu’s stores across Maharashtra; if you get a chance to visit Pune, you must visit Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwala’s outlet, where you can enjoy the delicious snack and many of their famed sweets like the Amba Barfi, which is one of my favourites at Chitale Bandhu. At Mumbai airport, where there are stores of Chitale Bandhu, I picked up a few packets of Bhakarwadi, and the Amba Barfi (Mango Barfi), which not only made my journey more interesting for my palate but also earned me blessings from my relatives whom I gifted these packets upon my arrival.
Bakharwadi is also an exciting dish to try cooking at home for the authentic flavours it provides. With evening tea, it would be a perfect accompaniment and an exciting ‘chakhna’ for cocktail hour. It can be a festive snack for you to indulge in. It is also an excellent option for gifting, especially to those who are true food lovers and appreciate India’s many flavours. So, to all culinary enthusiasts, try out this unique snack, Bhakarwadi, and let us know how you liked it.
Sidharth Bhan Gupta, is a food writer travelling across India on a Cultural and Culinary Exploration.
