From College Canteens to Corporate Breakrooms: Why Chiwda Still Wins Every Snack War

In India’s ever-evolving snacking landscape—where protein bars, air-fried chips, and quinoa puffs fight for shelf space—one snack has quietly, and consistently, remained a favourite across generations: Chiwda.

From its place beside a cup of tea in college canteens to occupying centre-stage in corporate snack counters, Chiwda continues to win the snack war. And leading the charge in both tradition and taste is Babus Laxminarayan Chiwda, a legacy brand that has been part of Pune’s culinary identity since 1945.

This article explores the reasons behind Chiwda’s enduring popularity, supported by recent data, and presents a future-forward view of how this humble snack aligns with emerging consumer trends.

What is Chiwda?

Chiwda is a traditional Indian savoury snack, typically made with flattened rice (poha), fried lentils, peanuts, spices, and curry leaves. In Maharashtra, its variants—such as Jada Chiwda, Nylon Chiwda, and Spicy or Less Spicy Poha Chiwda—have become culinary staples.

Babus Laxminarayan Chiwda has preserved this tradition through its authentic recipes, high-quality ingredients, and consistent flavour, making it a household name across India and among Indian diaspora communities.

Chiwda Through the Ages: A Cultural Staple

1. College Canteens & Hostels

Walk into any Indian college canteen, and you’ll likely find a bowl of chiwda accompanying a steaming glass of cutting chai. Its lightness, affordability, and taste make it a preferred snack for students.

According to a 2023 snack preference survey by Mintel India, 63% of students aged 18–25 said they choose traditional snacks like chiwda over packaged Western alternatives due to cost and taste familiarity.

Chiwda is often:

• Shared among hostel mates as a midnight snack
  
• Paired with tea during lectures or breaks
  
• Added to bhel or misal for quick, flavour-packed meals
  

For students managing budgets and craving comfort food, Chiwda remains a go-to choice.

2. Office Pantries & Corporate Breakrooms

In the last decade, workplaces across India have seen a major shift in their approach to employee well-being—including improved pantry options and snack diversity.

Many organisations have moved beyond processed vending machine items and now include:

• Traditional Indian snacks such as chiwda, shev, and khakhra
  
• Ready-to-eat namkeen jars for tea breaks and meetings
  
• Healthier snacks with lower oil content
  

As per a 2022 report by NielsenIQ India, over 58% of urban professionals said they preferred familiar Indian snacks during their workday over imported brands.

Chiwda, especially from established names like Babus, offers:

• Long shelf life without refrigeration
  
• Easy storage in airtight jars
  
• Vegetarian, preservative-free, and suitable for all dietary preferences
  

For HR managers and procurement teams looking for quality, Babus Laxminarayan Chiwda offers bulk packaging options and consistent taste—perfect for office snacking.

3. Home Kitchens and Family Traditions

Even outside institutions, Chiwda is a permanent fixture in Indian kitchens. Families across generations associate it with:

• A welcome treat for unexpected guests
  
• A safe snack for train journeys or road trips
  
• A crunchy pairing with morning or evening tea
  

The Secret to Chiwda’s Timeless Popularity

1. Balanced Flavour Profile

Unlike many high-salt, high-fat snacks in the market, Chiwda offers a balance of salt, spice, texture, and sweetness. Its flavour is complex yet familiar—especially when prepared using traditional methods like Babus has perfected over the decades.

2. Light and Digestible

Compared to fried chips or maida-based snacks, Poha-based Chiwda is light on the stomach, which is ideal for daily consumption.

According to a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), traditional Indian snacks made with rice flakes and legumes show lower fat absorption than Western-style processed snacks.

3. Versatile Usage

Chiwda is not just a standalone snack. It’s commonly:

• Mixed with chopped onions and tomatoes for a quick bhel
  
• Added to chaat and misal
  
• Eaten as a topping over poha or upma
  
• Packed into tiffins for kids and adults alike
  

This versatility has allowed it to evolve with lifestyles, without losing its core appeal.

Future Trends: Health Consciousness and the Role of Traditional Snacks

As consumers grow more conscious about clean labels, traditional ingredients, and portion control, Chiwda is well-positioned for continued relevance—especially when made by brands like Babus, who retain minimal processing and natural ingredients.

Rising Trends That Favour Chiwda:

1. Back to Basics
   A 2023 survey by Euromonitor India reported that 71% of Indian urban households are returning to traditional snack options over new-age foods, citing trust, taste, and health.
   
2. Mindful Snacking
   Millennials and Gen Z consumers prefer familiar snacks in smaller portions, especially those that are vegetarian, light, and without artificial flavouring.
   
3. Ingredient Transparency
   With the rise in demand for clean labels, consumers are reading more before they buy. Babus lists all ingredients clearly and avoids preservatives—earning customer trust.
   
4. Cultural Pride in Food
   Regional snacks like chiwda are now seen as part of India’s culinary identity. As food startups try to “reinvent” the snack space, legacy brands like Babus offer the real deal, unchanged and reliable.

Why Babus Chiwda Continues to Lead

Babus Laxminarayan Chiwda has built its reputation on authenticity, flavour consistency, and customer trust. Their products are available both online and offline, with options tailored for:

• Home snacking
  
• Gifting (including their popular Chiwda Gift Bags)
  
• Corporate bulk ordering
  
• Pan-India delivery
  

Their manufacturing process retains traditional roasting techniques, and their recipes are free from artificial colours or excess oil—making them an ideal option for those seeking traditional taste with modern convenience.

Final Thoughts: A Snack That Transcends Generations

From students in shared hostels to executives in glass-walled offices, from nostalgic parents to curious children, Chiwda remains relevant, accessible, and loved. It stands not just as a snack, but as a bridge between generations, between simplicity and taste, between tradition and today’s pace.

While new snack brands will come and go, Chiwda—and especially Babus Laxminarayan Chiwda—has stood the test of time.

For those who believe that taste should never compromise on tradition, and that snacking can be both enjoyable and responsible, the choice is simple.

Chiwda still wins. And with Babus, it always will.