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Brand Origins: Haldiram’s - From a Small Bikaner Shop to a Global Snack Empire
Today, Haldiram’s is available in 80+ countries, with a presence in Singapore, the UK, the Middle East, and even Japan. Whether you’re craving Masala Peanuts in Mumbai or Rasgulla in New York, Haldiram’s has become a bridge between Indian flavors and global audiences.
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Be it Aloo Bhujia, a plate of Raj Kachori, or a festive box of Rasgullas, Haldiram’s isn’t just a brand—it’s a taste of nostalgia. It’s the crunch of childhood, the heart of chai-time conversations, and the first thing we pack when traveling abroad. But how did this iconic Indian snack brand begin?
A legacy born in Bikaner
The story dates back to 1937, when Ganga Bishan Agarwal, fondly called Haldiram Ji, set up a small shop in Bikaner, Rajasthan. At a time when Bhujia was a common snack, he decided to innovate—creating a thinner, crispier, and slightly spicier version made from moth beans instead of gram flour. This subtle tweak turned Bikaneri Bhujia into a sensation, earning it a Geographical Indication (GI) tag decades later.
But Haldiram wasn’t just a snack innovator—he was a visionary. As demand grew, his family expanded to Nagpur, Kolkata, and Delhi, transforming Haldiram’s from a small-town favorite to a national obsession.
By the 1990s, the brand had evolved beyond namkeens to sweets, frozen foods, and even full-fledged restaurants serving everything from Chole Bhature to Rajma Chawal.
Lesser-Known Facts About Haldiram’s:
? Bigger Than McDonald's & Domino's in India! ??
Haldiram’s generates more revenue than McDonald's and Domino’s combined in India, proving that snacks and sweets reign supreme.
? A Bhujia So Exclusive, It Was Once Royalty-Only ?
Before it became a household snack, Bhujia was a delicacy made exclusively for Bikaner’s royal family in the 19th century. Today, it’s a GI-tagged product that remains a hallmark of Rajasthani heritage.
? The Brand That NASA Astronauts Took to Space ?
Yes, even astronauts need their comfort food! Indian space travelers have carried Haldiram’s snacks with them on missions, proving that home flavors have no boundaries.
? America’s Love for Haldiram’s ??
Haldiram’s is the largest Indian snack exporter to the US, with its namkeens and sweets stocked in major supermarkets like Costco and Walmart.
? It’s a Festival Favorite ?
From Diwali to Raksha Bandhan, Haldiram’s is synonymous with celebrations. Their Soan Papdi may be a meme today (hello, regifting culture!), but it remains a best-seller every festive season.
From a Shop to a Global Empire
Today, Haldiram’s is available in 80+ countries, with a presence in Singapore, the UK, the Middle East, and even Japan. Whether you’re craving Masala Peanuts in Mumbai or Rasgulla in New York, Haldiram’s has become a bridge between Indian flavors and global audiences.
So tell me—what’s your ultimate Haldiram’s snack? Aloo Bhujia, Kaju Katli, or something else? Let’s celebrate this crunchy, sweet, and spicy legacy together! ??
#Haldirams #IndianSnacks #BhujiaLove #NamkeenKing #DesiNostalgia #FromBikanerToTheWorld
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