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When a person travels, they collect memories. But when a food enthusiast travels, they collect local ingredients that can help revive and relive the stories of their journeys through food. Traveller's Pantry is a series by Slurrp through which tourists travelling across the states of India will find indigenous gems that they can stock up on, take back home and learn more about India’s regional cuisines. This series will walk you through some of the best ingredients that India’s states have to offer, especially through the experienced hands of local chefs, experts and vendors, taking you on a true culinary safari of the nation.
Called the ‘Paradise on Earth’ because of its pristine beauty, Jammu and Kashmir boasts culture and culinary heritage. Currently enveloped in snow, the top tourist destinations in the state are making headlines for catering to travellers around the world. While you are in Jammu and Kashmir, you must try platters and spreads of dishes like rogan josh, traditional rajma, yakhni lamb curry, haak, yakhni pulao, and Kashmiri dum aloo.
Video Credit: Chef Ranveer Brar/ YouTube
But beyond its dishes, Jammu and Kashmir has food items that travellers, especially foodies and home cooks, can stock up on while visiting the state. To bring you authentic recommendations on what to buy, Slurrp spoke to Dr Rukhsaar Sayeed, a Kashmiri food technologist and former contestant of MasterChef India; Nalini Sadhu, the co-owner of Matamaal, a restaurant in Gurugram that serves traditional food of the Kashmiri Pandit community; Firdous Ahmad, CEO Fajar Traders; and Haffeza Mosin, manager at Buy Kashmiri Saffron.
Here are a few things that are indigenous to the state, and therefore, among the best options to buy when exploring the white snow-capped mountains and picturesque landscape.
Saffron
Dr Rukhsaar Sayeed, Firdous Ahmad, Nalini Sadhu, and Haffeza Mosin recommended tourists buy saffron from Kashmir because the best variety of it is grown in this region. Haffeza Mosin shared that many people would sell Iranian saffron at the same or lower price, but its quality is not as good as that of Kashmiri saffron. Kashmiri saffron is darker in colour and has an aroma that Irani saffron does not possess. A few strands of it are enough to add natural colour and infuse an irresistible aroma to your dishes.
Shop 1 Name/ Address: Buy Kashmiri Saffron/ Wanabal, Rawalpora, Srinagar, Badgam, Jammu and Kashmir 190005
Contact: 09469444445
Shop 2 Name/ Address: Fajar Traders/ Befina - Balhama Rd, Pampore, Jammu and Kashmir 191101
Contact: 07006191229
Price: starts at Rs 230/ gm
Kashmiri Mirch
Kashmiri mirch or red chillies are also indigenous to the region and can be stocked up. They are darker in colour and prevent the food from becoming too spicy or pungent. Firdous Ahmed and Nalini Sadhu suggested either buying whole dried red chillies or Kashmiri red chilli powder, both have a long shelf life and can be used in a variety of Indian delicacies.
Shop Name: Fajar Traders
Address: Befina - Balhama Rd, Pampore, Jammu and Kashmir 191101
Contact: 07006191229
Price: starts at Rs 600/ kg
Shilajit
Firdous Ahmad suggested stocking up on shilajit, a blackish-brown powder extracted from Himalayan rocks. You can find it in shops selling food souvenirs in Jammu and Kashmir. Communities in India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, China, and other nearby countries know that this ingredient has ample benefits for health because of which it has been a part of traditional medicine in these countries. From managing cholesterol to boosting energy levels, it can be used to improve your overall well-being.
Shop Name: Fajar Traders
Address: Befina - Balhama Rd, Pampore, Jammu and Kashmir 191101
Contact: 07006191229
Price: starts at Rs 300/ 10 gm
Kahwa
Jammu and Kashmir’s famous kahwa is a herbal mixture of tea that you must bring home. Apart from being delicious, it is a blend of many ingredients that can help to boost your immunity. Firdous Ahmad shared that it contains saffron, green tea, cloves, rose petals, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, liquorice, and many indigenous roots and herbs. A pack of it has a shelf life of 6-12 months, and you can enjoy the taste of Jammu and Kashmir sitting on your balcony of a high-rise building.
Shop Name: Fajar Traders
Address: Befina - Balhama Rd, Pampore, Jammu and Kashmir 191101
Contact: 07006191229
Price: starts at Rs 200/ 100 gm
Masala Tikki
No matter how much you search about what to buy from Jammu and Kashmir, only when you are exploring the state, will you come across masala tikki, a mixture of spices and herbs. It is a dried paste made of Kashmiri red chilli powder, cardamom, saffron, garlic, carom seeds, turmeric powder, wild onions, coriander powder, garam masala, salt, and edible oil. Dr Rukhsaar Sayeed said that people use it to add flavours to traditional curries. You can bring it to your home and infuse the flavours of Kashmir into your dishes.
Shop Name: Al-Rashid Kesar & Dry Fruit Company
Address: Pampore, Srinagar, Kashmir
Contact: 09906737858
Price: starts at Rs 300/ 200 gm
Quince Apples
If you ever visit Kashmir, you will witness apple orchids on your way to your destinations from Srinagar. They sell fresh apple juice that no carbonated drink brands can beat. Nalini Sadhu shared that a special variety of apples, called quince apples, are grown in the region. They have a slightly different flavour.
Locals in Jammu and Kashmir use locally-grown apples to make pickles and chutneys, which you can also buy from vendor who install makeshift stalls in their orchards in the Apple Valley, located between Srinagar and Pahalgam. Quince apples are only available in markets between August and September, and according to Nalini Sadhu, the price can vary every season. They can be sold for even Rs 500/ kg.
Orchards To Visit: Mehraj's Apple Orchard, Mirgund Apple Orchards, and Kashmir Organic Apple Orchard
Apple Chutney Price: Rs 250/ 500 gm
Dried Saffron Flowers
Dr Rukhsaar Sayeed suggested tourists buy dried saffron flowers. A traditional dish called kong gaade, a delicacy in which fish is cooked in aromatic spices and saffron flowers, relies on this ingredient for its authentic flavours. However, the technologist said that it is not commonly found in restaurants, and only a few communities in the region know the traditional recipe. But if you are looking to try this and other dried saffron flower dishes when you go back home, stock up on these for sure.
Shop Name: Fajar Traders
Address: Befina - Balhama Rd, Pampore, Jammu and Kashmir 191101
Contact: 07006191229
Price: starts at Rs 3000/ kg (without saffron) and Rs 10,000 / kg (with saffron)
Dry Fruits And Nuts
Haffeza Mosin and Firdous Ahmad shared that Jammu and Kashmir is where travellers can find good quality dry fruits, especially almonds, cashews, and walnuts. Apart from these, one can find fried berries, apricots, cherries, and other fruits. These are preserved using natural ingredients, and hence, can be bought at home and even presented as souvenirs.
Shop 1 Name/ Address: Buy Kashmiri Saffron/ Wanabal, Rawalpora, Srinagar, Badgam, Jammu and Kashmir 190005
Contact: 09469444445
Shop 2 Name/ Address: Fajar Traders/ Befina - Balhama Rd, Pampore, Jammu and Kashmir 191101
Almond and Walnut Price: starts at Rs 1,200/ kg
The next time you are in Jammu and Kashmir or someone you know is planning a holiday there, stock up on the famous food items that are indigenous to the region.
