Poha (Flattened Rice)

Poha chivda is perhaps the most democratic Indian snack — made in every state, eaten at every economic level, beloved universally. Thin flattened rice, deep-fried until it puffs and crisps, then tossed while hot with mustard seeds, curry leaves, chilli, peanuts, and spices. The whole preparation takes minutes and produces something extraordinarily satisfying.

At Salteen, our poha chivda uses thin poha — the thinnest grade, which fries up incredibly light and airy rather than dense and chewy. The poha is fried quickly in hot oil, removed the moment it puffs (a matter of seconds), and immediately seasoned while still hot so the spices and salt adhere perfectly.

Chivda is also one of our most naturally light namkeen preparations — the high air-to-rice ratio means you get a satisfying bowl of crunchy snack with much less actual food content than denser preparations.

Flattened rice is one of the lightest and most easily digestible grain preparations — low in fat when properly fried and a good source of quick-release energy.

Thin poha is the primary ingredient in Salteen's chivda mix — fried light and tossed with spices, curry leaves, peanuts, and dried fruit for our classic Banarasi chivda namkeen.