Food is evocative. It brings back memories and strong, vivid images. From a fragrant ghee tadka to a plate of tangy pani puri, food can bring back so much nostalgia. Don’t you think so too?
You may know them by different names like pani puri, golgappe, puchkas, gupchup or pani ke batashe, but the happiness it brings is the same. Pani Puri is an extremely popular street food that has many variations in different parts of the country. While we all have our favorite vendors that we swear by, sometimes homemade golgappas are just what you want. This is where a pack of pani puri masala comes in handy.
We tested four popular brands of pani puri masala powder in our test kitchen to see which pani puri masala made the tastiest, tangiest, ‘pani’ for our homemade golgappas.
The competition between the brands was tough, but MDH Pani Puri Masala Powder was a clear winner (Top Pick). We also recommend the Everest Pani Puri Masala. What made these brands the best pani puri masala powders perfect for a homemade puchka-party? Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
Watch Video – Best Pani Puri Masala
Everything you need to know – Pani Puri Masala Powder Brands in India
| Brands of pani puri masala | MDH | Everest | Zoff | Parag |
| Price | Rs 53/- | Rs 59/- | Rs 65/- | Rs 50/- |
| Net weight | 100 grams | 100 grams | 100 grams | 50 grams |
| Key ingredients | Iodised Salt, Black Salt, Dry Mango, Cumin, Tamarind, Citric Acid, Mint Leaves, Kachri, Dried Ginger, Yellow Chillies, Black Pepper, Turmeric, Cloves, Asafoetida. | Rock salt, Dried mango, Cumin, Chili, Black salt, Mint leaf, Black pepper, Dried ginger, Tamarind, and Citric acid | White salt, Black salt, Amchur, Cumin, Tamarind, Citric acid, Mint leaves, Kachri, Black pepper, Pomegranate seeds, Turmeric, Saha jeera, Asafoetida | White salt, Black salt, Unripe dry mango, Cumin, Mint leaves, Dry ginger, Tamarind, Chillies, Black pepper, Citric acid, Cloves, Asafoetida |
| Shelf life | 12 months from date of packaging | 18 months from date of packaging | 15 months from date of packaging | 12 months from date of packaging |
Here’s Paper Boat Pani Puri Pellets Review by Team Mishry.
Top Pick
Recommended
Reviewed
Reviewed
Pani Puri Masala – Everything You Need To Know
Did you know that the origin of golgappas or pani puri dates back to the Mahabharata? Legend has it that the much-famed golgappe were invented by Draupadi, wife of Pandavas.
Pani Puri Masala is available in powder form. Like other masalas like chicken, sambar or garam masala, these can come in a sealed plastic pouch. These are then placed inside a cardboard box.
Some other variants also come inside a re-sealable pouch pack. There are a few brands that also sell pani puri paste or a readymade pani as well.
The recipe construction of the pani puri masala powder differs from brand to brand, but a few key ingredients remain the same. The main components of pani puri masala are –
- Cumin
- Mint leaves
- Green chillies
- Tamarind
- Rock salt
- Dry mango (kachi kairi/ ambiya)
- Dry mango powder (amchoor)
- Coriander leaves
A 100-gram carton of pani puri masala is priced between Rs 35/- to Rs 70/- on an average. The prices may vary according to the size of the packaging.
Some brands of pani puri masala that are available in India are –
- MDH Pani Puri Masala
- Parag Pani Puri Masala
- Badshah Pani Puri Masala
- Everest Pani Puri Masala
- Zoff Pani Puri Masala
- Catch Pani Puri Masala
- Guruh Pani Puri Masala
- Pushp Pani Puri Masala
- Taaza Pani Puri Masala
Pani Puri Masala Review – Here are the Parameters
Any ready-to-eat, ‘instant’ or packaged product must offer good flavors along with convenience. Packaged pani puri masala powder offers convenience but is the taste comparable to a freshly made street-style golgappa paani. What is the meaning of a golgappa, if not for that tangy, spicy pani?
For this parameter, we answered a few questions: how spicy, tangy, or bland is the water? Is there any definitive aroma or flavor of mint leaves or coriander leaves? Did amchoor or dry mangoes (kachi kairi) make their presence felt? Is it oversalted or balanced?
How easy is it to prepare the pani from the powder? Does the pani puri masala dissolve well in the water, or are there little blobs of dry masala here and there?
For every review, price is a major consideration. For the quality the product provides, how is the pani puri masala priced? Is it economical? Is it value for money? When we say value for money, we do not necessarily mean that it has to be cheap. What we mean is that is it worth spending money on?
For any product to be eligible for our review, the availability of the product plays a huge role. While selecting the contenders, we do keep the ease of availability in mind. Did we have to search for the product at lengths, or was it easily available at regular grocery stores and online shopping portals?
Who is this review for?
We picked four easily available and popular brands of pani puri masala from an online shopping portal and grocery store. We picked brands that have been reigning masala brands in India or have a significant presence on online grocery shopping sites.
We chose to leave out the brands, no matter how big, that was not available at any store (online and offline) even after multiple searches.
This helped us decide on the ‘availability’ factor as well. The brands we picked are –
- MDH Pani Puri Masala Powder
- Zoff Pani Puri Masala Powder
- Everest Pani Puri Masala Powder
- Parag Pani Puri Masala Powder
For our review we split the process into three broad stages.
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Stage 1 – Checking for ease of preparation
In this stage we turned the masala into the golgappe ka pani by following the instructions given on the pack. In case there were no instructions provided on the pack, we added them by taste. During this stage, we checked for ease of preparation, mixing abilities, and more. We made sure the water used is chilled!
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Stage 2 – Tasting the golgappa paani as it is
This was a very crucial stage for two reasons. We had to taste the paani as it is to gauge its actual flavor. To check how tangy it is and how intensely it is seasoned. Another reason to taste the water as it is was – “Bhaiya, thoda paani dena!”. No pani puri eating session is complete without everyone asking for a dona full of spicy paani.
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Stage 3 – Mishry Secret Sauce
Our Mishry Secret Sauce was using the water inside freshly made golgappa. We used Paperboat Pani Puri Pellets and deep-fried them in vegetable oil. Our tasting included some staple golgappa fillings – boiled kala chana, boiled potatoes (cut into small pieces), meethi chutney or saunth, and chopped onions.
We tasted the golgappas made using all the brands of pani puri masala powder side-by-side. Post this, we reached a conclusion.
1. MDH Pani Puri Masala – Mishry Top Pick
The color of the paani is much lighter in comparison to the others. The dominant aroma of amchoor is unmissable. When we tasted the paani as it is and inside the golgappas, we felt that it lacked that intensity. So we decided to add more pani puri masala powder in the glass. After we added ½ tsp more than mentioned, the flavor of the paani uplifted instantly.
The tangy, sour, dry mango flavor is delicious in the MDH Pani Puri Masala. The flavor of coriander and mint is refreshing. The seasoning and spice levels are quite balanced. This pani puri masala definitely turned our homemade golgappas shine.
Features
- A 100-gram pack of MDH Pani Puri Masala is priced at Rs 53/-.
- Ingredients (In descending order by weight) – Iodised Salt, Black Salt, Dry Mango, Cumin, Tamarind, Citric Acid, Mint Leaves, Kachri, Dried Ginger, Yellow Chillies, Black Pepper, Turmeric, Cloves, Asafoetida.
- Best before 12 months from packaging.
- Ratio for recipe – 2 Tsp in 400 ml water.
- Sugar can be added to the water if you need sweet golgappa water (meetha golgappe ka paani).
Pros
- The mix is very easy to make and dissolves well in the water.
- The water is tangy, spicy and deliciously.
Cons
- The recipe given on the back of the pack might not garner the desired ‘tang’ of the paani. We suggest the addition of more powder (as per your taste) if you need a punch of higher intensity.
Best Suited For
This pani puri mix will be perfect for a chaat party at home. This pack will also come in handy on an evening where you just crave golgappas, but don’t want to order in or go out.
2. Everest Masala, Pani Puri – Also Recommended
The instructions on the pack mention mixing of 2 Tbsp masala in 1 ½ liter water to make pani for 100 puris. As per that calculation, we had to add 1 ½ tsp in 200 ml water. First, we mixed 1 tsp of the pani puri masala powder in 200 ml water and tasted it to check for intensity. We did not need to add more as this much was sufficient.
The blend of this masala is very well balanced, but it’s a bit subtle compared to MDH. The flavor of cumin and the sour, tamarind punch of this pani is quite delicious.
Features
- A 100 gram pack of Everest Pani Puri Masala is priced at Rs 59/-.
- Everest pani puri masala ingredients – Rock salt, Dried mango, Cumin, Chili, Black salt, Mint leaf, Black pepper, Dried ginger, Tamarind and Citric acid.
- Best before 18 months from packaging.
- Ratio for recipe – 2 Tbsp in 1 ½ liter water.
Pros
- The Everest pani puri masala is easy to make.
- It has a very balanced masala blend with a dominant cumin flavour.
- The tanginess of the paani is good.
Cons
- Some people may face issues following the recipe, and end up with wrong proportions of masala and water.
3. Parag Pani Puri Gol Gappe Chatpata Masala
The Parag Masala has a dark color and dissolved fairly easily in cold water. As there is no particular ratio written on the pack, and it mentions the addition of masala to the water as per your taste, we did the same.
We felt that the salt content in this masala is on the lower side. If we add more powder to the water, even though the color and intensity increases, the salt still remains low. We missed the freshness of mint leaves and the tanginess of dry mangoes in this one.
Features
- A 50 gram pack of Parag Pani Puri Gol Gappe Chatpata Masala is priced at Rs 50/-.
- Parag pani puri masala ingredients (In descending order by weight) – White salt, Black salt, Unripe dry mango, Cumin, Mint leaves, Dry ginger, Tamarind, Chillies, Black pepper, Citric acid, Cloves, Asafoetida.
- Best before 12 months from packaging.
- Ratio for recipe – According to taste. No definitive ratio/measurements given.
- No artificial flavors, and no MSG.
Cons
- Expensive in comparison to other contenders.
- Lacks the signature tanginess of a golgappe ka paani.
- Lacks freshness of mint leaves.
- Salt levels are low.
- There is no recipe given on the pack.
4. Zoff Panipuri Masala
The masala fails to add any tanginess, sourness or flavor to the pani. The pani is the main essence of a golgappa eating experience.
Features
- A 100 gram pack of Zoff Pani Puri Masala is priced at Rs 65/-.
- Zoff pani puri masala ingredients– White salt, Black salt, Amchur, Cumin, Tamarind, Citric acid, Mint leaves, Kachri, Black pepper, Pomegranate seeds, Turmeric, Saha jeera, Asafoetida
- Best before 15 months from packaging.
- Ratio for recipe – No instructions given at all.
Pros
- Resealable pouch packaging.
Cons
- No instructions given on the pack.
- The flavor is too mild.
- Doesn’t add anything to the overall experience of pani puri.
Quick Read : Types of Golgappa – The Most Popular Street Food Of India.
Pani Puri Masala Powder – Our Top Picks
Why did we choose MDH Pani Puri Masala as our Top Pick?
A bowl of tasty pani can make or break any golgappa eating experience. We chose MDH Pani Puri Masala as our Top Pick because it yielded the tastiest pani for our homemade golgappas. The refreshing flavor of mint and coriander leaves, along with the tanginess and well-rounded spiciness of the golgappa pani was DELICIOUS. We could clearly taste the notes of dry mango.
Why do we Also Recommend Everest Pani Puri Masala?
We Also Recommend Everest Pani Puri Masala because it has the most well-balanced masala blend. Taste-wise, this is a tad bit subtle than our Top Pick, but just as lip smacking. Flavor notes of cumin, tamarind, and dried mango can be detected, which we loved.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is pani puri masala made of?
A few key ingredients used to make a packaged pani puri masala are dry mango, mint leaves, coriander leaves, cumin, green chillies, tamarind, salt, and amchoor.
2. Which is the best pani puri masala?
Amongst the four brands of pani puri masala we reviewed, we found that the MDH Pani Puri Masala is the best one as it made the tastiest pani for our homemade golgappas.
3. Is pani puri vegan?
Yes. Pani puri is vegan. The ‘puris’ are made using whole wheat flour, refined wheat flour or semolina. The fillings include boiled chickpeas, boiled potatoes, and meethi chutney (saunth). The water that is used is also made using vegan-friendly ingredients.
4. Can we store pani puri water in the fridge?
Yes. Ideally pani puri water needs to be stored in the fridge before consumption. The experience of eating golgappas increases immediately if the water is cold.
5. What is the average cost of a plate of golgappas in India?
On average, a plate of golgappas consisting of 5-6 medium-sized golgappas can be priced between Rs 10/- to Rs 100/- depending on the food joint you buy it from. A street-style vendor may charge you Rs 5-20/-, while an established food chain may charge you anything between Rs 40- Rs 100/-.
Summary – Results Of Best Pani Puri Masala Powder
We reviewed four brands of pani puri masala powders and found that MDH Pani Puri Masala makes the tangiest, most flavorful pani for our homemade golgappas. We also recommend the Everest Pani Puri Masala for its balanced blend and tasty results.
Have you used a pani puri masala before for your homemade golgappas? How was your experience?
Do you agree with our best pani puri masala powder review? Let us know in the comment box below.
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