Pani Puri: The Indian Street Snack with Many Names
Pani puri is a delicious and popular snack from India that is commonly found on the streets. It consists of a crispy and fried hollow shell, which is cracked open and filled with a tasty mixture of potatoes, chickpeas, spices, and a flavorful water. The water used in pani puri can be made with ingredients like tamarind, asafoetida, mint, garlic, lemon, or jaljeera.
What makes pani puri unique is that it goes by different names in various regions of India. For example, it is known as gol gappa, phuchka, fulki, pani ke batashe, and more, depending on the location.
To enjoy pani puri, it is best to eat it quickly and in rounds. Customers typically dip the crispy shell into the flavored water and then consume it whole before moving on to the next one.
Pani puri is incredibly popular in India and can be found in almost every local restaurant, especially in the northern regions. Over time, it has gained popularity worldwide and is now served in many international restaurants.
For the best taste experience, pani puri is often served with cold flavored water. This enhances the refreshing and tangy flavors of the snack.
To celebrate the significance of pani puri, Google created a special Google Doodle on July 12. The Doodle features a customized video game where players can virtually serve customers with different fillings for pani puri.
According to Google, July 12 commemorates the anniversary of a World Record set in 2015. During that year, the restaurant Indori Zayka in Indore, Madhya Pradesh claimed the record for offering the most flavors of pani puri.
