Soya chunks are a rich source of plant-based protein and a staple in many Indian households. Their ability to absorb flavors and the texture they provide are key factors in assessing the quality. With various options available in the market, choosing the best soya chunk brands might get confusing.
To make your search easier, we tested 6 brands across parameters including – protein content, texture, plumpness, and flavor absorption. After testing six prominent brands in the country, we chose the one by Aashirvaad and Fortune Soya Chunks as our Top Picks. Here’s why!
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison of The Best Soya Chunk Brands
Sneak peak at the contenders for the best soya chunk brands in India:
| Brand | Price
(In Rupees) |
Net Weight | Protein (/100gm) | Mishry Rating |
| Aashirvaad – Mishry Top Pick | 60 | 200g | 53.2 gm | 4.5 |
| Fortune – Mishry Top Pick | 60 | 225g | 52.5gm | 4.5 |
| Bambino | 60 | 200g | 53 gm | 4 |
| Emami | 195 | 1kg | 52 gm | 4 |
| Nutrela | 60 | 220g | 53.19 | 3.3 |
| Saffola | 60 | 200g | 53 gm | 3.3 |
Our Review Factors
To find the Best Soya Chunks Brand in India, we set the following parameters –
1. Taste & Flavor Absorption
- Flavor Absorption: Soya chunks are generally bland, but they should absorb flavors well when cooked with spices and sauces. A good brand will allow for better flavor absorption.
- Aftertaste: The chunks should not have any unpleasant or overpowering aftertaste. Sometimes cheaper brands might leave a strong aftertaste, which could be undesirable.
2. Texture
- Firmness After Cooking: Ideally, after soaking and cooking, soya chunks should have a slightly firm but chewy texture. It should not be too mushy or rubbery.
- Chewiness: They should not be too chewy or tough. The best texture should resemble tender meat alternatives, striking a balance between softness and firmness.
- Time Taken: Good quality soya chunks should soak and rehydrate relatively quickly, ideally within 10-15 minutes. They should expand well without becoming overly soft or disintegrating.
- Water Retention: They should not be excessively soggy or spongy after soaking. The chunks should retain a solid shape and firmness after soaking and cooking.
3. Nutri Label
- Ingredient List: The best soya chunks will have a short and simple ingredient list, with “defatted soy flour” as the primary or only ingredient. Avoid brands with unnecessary additives, preservatives, or artificial flavors.
- Non-GMO and Organic: Some brands may offer non-GMO or organic options, which are preferable if you’re looking for a cleaner, more natural product.
- Protein Content: Check the protein content on the label, as higher-quality soya chunks should have a high protein percentage (usually around 52-55%).
4. Other Observations
In addition to the above primary factors, we also noted information on the packaging, pricing, and shelf life of all the 6 brands of soya chunks we tested.
Best Soya Chunks Brands in India – Detailed Review
This segment covers details about the 6 brands we tested, their pros, cons and individual ratings:
The Qualifier
For our contenders, we opted for brands offering big sized soya chunks. We picked up those brands that are easily accessible both online and offline (in local grocery stores and supermarkets).
Our Review Process
- Rehydration: We conducted a soaking test to evaluate the soya chunks’ ability to absorb liquid and achieve optimal plumpness.
- Flavor Absorption: A standard onion-tomato curry was prepared to assess the soya chunks’ capacity to absorb and retain the flavors of the dish.
- Textural Evaluation: We examined the firmness of the soya chunks both after soaking and after cooking, determining their overall texture and consistency.
Recipe we followed
For our review, we made a large batch of onion-tomato masala and divided it equally into 6 pans. All 6 pans have the same amount of masala + 100 ml water and 20 gm (dry and soaked) soya chunks. Each curry was cooked on medium heat for 3-4 minutes and was plated. They were tasted twice – once within 10 minutes of cooking, and then again after 60 minutes. This was done to assess the flavor absorption and to evaluate how well the soya chunks retained flavors over time.
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1. Aashirvaad Soya Chunks – Mishry Top Pick
Our Verdict
Aashirvaad emerged as our Top Pick, thanks to its outstanding texture and superior overall performance. When hydrated, the soya chunks plump up beautifully, achieving an ideal balance of softness and firmness. They maintain their structure well, resisting disintegration even after prolonged cooking.
Another key highlight is its excellent flavor absorption. The chunks readily soak up seasonings, spices, and gravies.
Key Ingredient
It is made with defatted soy flour.
- Remarkable flavor absorption
- Has higher protein content
- Excellent texture
- Resistant to disintegration
People who often prepare soya chunks in curries, stir-fries, or gravies where maintaining texture is essential.
2. Fortune Soya Chunks – Mishry Top Pick
Our Verdict
Fortune soya chunks also stand out as top pick, mirroring the exceptional qualities we found in Aashirvaad. When it comes to texture, it delivers a consistently satisfying experience. The plumpness achieved is excellent.
However, Fortune distinguishes itself from Aashirvaad in one significant aspect: availability. However, the protein content of Fortune is marginally lower than Aashirvaad.
Key Ingredient
The key ingredient includes defatted soy flour.
- Excellent texture
- Absorbs the flavors very well
- Better availability
Those seeking a well-textured, plump soya chunk with excellent flavor absorption.
3. Bambino Soya Chunks
Our Verdict
Bambino’s soya chunks hydrate well, expanding to a satisfactory plumpness when soaked. The texture is decent, making them pleasant to bite into without being overly chewy or mushy. However, their ability to carry flavors needs improvement.
Compared to our top pick, these chunks do not soak up seasonings, spices, or broths as effectively.
Key Ingredient
Made from 100% defatted soya.
Also Read: Jabsons Soya Sticks Review Are A Deliciously Crunchy Snack!
4. Emami Advans Soya Chunks
Our Verdict
While Emami’s soya chunks hydrated effectively, achieving good plumpness and a soft, firm bite, its flavor absorption was not comparable to our top pick. This deficiency in flavor absorption was the primary reason for its lower ranking.
Key Ingredients
The key ingredients include: Defatted soya flour, and zinc oxide.
Why is Zinc oxide (ZnO) added? Zinc oxide (ZnO) are nanoparticles used in food packaging to extend shelf life and prevent foodborne pathogens.
5. Nutrela Soya Chunks
Our Verdict
This brand’s performance came as a surprise, especially since our entire team had been loyal consumers for years. However, testing proved otherwise. The results were unexpectedly average.
The texture proved to be too chewy with an unpleasant hard finish. Flavor absorption was also mediocre.
Key Ingredient
The main ingredient is defatted soy.
6. Saffola Soya Chunks
Our Verdict
The soya chunks by Saffola plump up well upon hydration. They exhibit decent absorbency, allowing them to take on flavors to a reasonable extent. While the texture is satisfactory, a mild aftertaste lingers, which some may find off-putting.
Key Ingredient
The ingredient list features defatted soya.
Our Top Picks & Recommendations
Why did we choose Aashirvaad and Fortune as our top picks?
We chose Aashirvaad Soya Chunks and Fortune Soya Chunks as our Top Picks. This is because they outperformed other brands in key aspects such as texture, rehydration, flavor absorption, and protein content.
Aashirvaad soya chunks secured their position as our top pick for their excellent texture and superior flavor absorption. It plumps up well while maintaining a firm bite and does not disintegrate upon cooking.
Fortune soya chunks, on the other hand, closely match Aashirvaad in terms of texture and plumpness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some interesting FAQs on Best Soya Chunks Brands in India:
Firm texture, neutral aroma, quick rehydration, and no bitterness are a few factors to determine good-quality soya chunks.
Aashirvaad and Fortune are the best soya chunks brands.
Aashirvaad Soya Chunks offer slightly higher protein content than other contenders, with 53.2g per 100g.
Aashirvaad and Emami Advans offer a shelf life of 9 months. Whereas others have a shelf life of 1 year.
While price can indicate quality, it’s not the sole factor. Quality depends on protein content, texture, processing, and purity.
Parting Thoughts
That’s a wrap on the best soya chunks brands in India.
We chose Aashirvaad Soya Chunks and Fortune Soya Chunks as Mishry’s Top Picks. They showed excellence in texture, plumpness, and flavor absorption. Bambino performed well but fell short of flavor absorption. Emami Advans hydrated well but lacked the capacity to absorb flavors as well as our winners.
Nutrela, shockingly, underperformed, contradicting long-held assumptions. Saffola showed promise with good texture but had a mild aftertaste.
Which brand from the list above is your favorite?
