Bikaneri Bhujia
Encyclopedia
Bikaneri Bhujia often simply called Bhujia is a famous crisp snack
and is prepared by using besan (gram flour) and spices, originating from, Bikaner, a town in the western state of Rajasthan
in India. Its other ingredients include moth dal, vegetable oil, salt, red chilli, black pepper, cardamom, cloves etc. It is light yellow in colour. Bikaneri Bhujias are the most popular snack consumed throughout the world. It is famously known to be born in Bikaner, and over the years has not just become a characteristic product of Bikaner, but also a generic name. Not only in the city, but in the whole country, especially, in Rajasthan
, Gujarat, Maharashtra
, Bihar
and in West Bengal
it is a must served item with the regular food.
Bikaneri bhujia has essentially been a cottage industry in Bikaner, Rajasthan, and provides employment to around 2.5 million people in villages of the region, especially women, and recently it has faced competition with multinational companies like Pepsi as well as Indian snack companies, which have used the name bhujia, with smart packaging. After struggling with numerous copycats over the years, in September 2010, Indian Patent Office
confirmed the Geographical Indications rights and patent was issued for the brand name Bikaneri bhujia to local manufacturers of Bikaner.
. Since then the item has been manufactured as a special variety with the name DUNGARSHAHI BHUJIA especially for the guests of the king.
• 1/2 Cup moath flour
• 1/4 tsp Cardamom powder
• 1/4 tsp Asafoetida
• 1-1/2 tsp Pepper powder
• 1 tsp Oil
• Salt to taste
• Oil for deep frying
• Water as needed
• Heat the oil in a kadhai.
• Place the dough in a sev mould, press and squeeze by hand through the sev and press into the hot oil.
• Deep fry bhujia on medium heat until it is lightly browned.
• Drain on absorbent paper.
• Repeat the same process until all the dough is used up.
Snack
A snack is a small portion of food eaten between meals. The food might be snack food—items like potato chips or baby carrots—but could also simply be a smaller amount of any food item.-Snacks and health:...
and is prepared by using besan (gram flour) and spices, originating from, Bikaner, a town in the western state of Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
in India. Its other ingredients include moth dal, vegetable oil, salt, red chilli, black pepper, cardamom, cloves etc. It is light yellow in colour. Bikaneri Bhujias are the most popular snack consumed throughout the world. It is famously known to be born in Bikaner, and over the years has not just become a characteristic product of Bikaner, but also a generic name. Not only in the city, but in the whole country, especially, in Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
, Gujarat, Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
, Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
and in West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
it is a must served item with the regular food.
Bikaneri bhujia has essentially been a cottage industry in Bikaner, Rajasthan, and provides employment to around 2.5 million people in villages of the region, especially women, and recently it has faced competition with multinational companies like Pepsi as well as Indian snack companies, which have used the name bhujia, with smart packaging. After struggling with numerous copycats over the years, in September 2010, Indian Patent Office
Indian Patent Office
The Indian Patent Office is administered by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks . This is a subordinate office of the Indian government and administers the Indian law of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks....
confirmed the Geographical Indications rights and patent was issued for the brand name Bikaneri bhujia to local manufacturers of Bikaner.
History
The origin of Bhujia industry in Bikaner dates back to A.D. 1877 while Maharaja Shri Dungar Singh was ruling the Bikaner princely stateBikaner (princely state)
Bikaner state was founded in the 15th century and persisted until shortly after India's Independence in 1947.Earlier this region was known as Jangladesh which was a region of northern Rajasthan state in India...
. Since then the item has been manufactured as a special variety with the name DUNGARSHAHI BHUJIA especially for the guests of the king.
Ingredients:
• 1/2 Cup bengal gram flour• 1/2 Cup moath flour
• 1/4 tsp Cardamom powder
• 1/4 tsp Asafoetida
• 1-1/2 tsp Pepper powder
• 1 tsp Oil
• Salt to taste
• Oil for deep frying
• Water as needed
How to make Bikaneri Bhujia:
• Combine all the ingredients along with enough water and mix properly to form soft dough.• Heat the oil in a kadhai.
• Place the dough in a sev mould, press and squeeze by hand through the sev and press into the hot oil.
• Deep fry bhujia on medium heat until it is lightly browned.
• Drain on absorbent paper.
• Repeat the same process until all the dough is used up.
Patent and Geographical Indication Protection
In September 2010 Bikaneri Bhujia was granted Geographical Indication protection. Getting the GI tag will ensure that none other than those registered as authorized users (or at most those residing inside the geographic territory) are allowed to use the popular product name, an assurance of distinctiveness in a land of thousand cultures.External links
- Bikaneri Bhujia Recipe at Tarla Dalal
- Bikaneri Bhujia in making