The Potato Chip’s Never Lazy on the Indian Market: The Need to Know on the Ever-Growing Chip Market
India’s love of potato chips is showing little sign of going stale. In fact, India’s potato chip market was worth 2.59 billion dollars in 2017 and is expected to hit a net worth of 5.5 billion dollars this year, that’s incredible growth! To be clear, that’s over 300 percent growth in 5 years – India’s chip market is growing at an annual rate of 18.7%. Potato chip seasoning manufacturers and chip makers alike are enjoying the ride.
The growth in India’s potato chip market is driven by rising household incomes. Unlike chocolate or confectioneries, where children are the main consumers, the growth in potato chip sales in India is uniform across all age groups. This is because chips, unlike confectioneries, are eaten throughout the day. Indians gobble-up chips while meeting friends for a drink, travelling or with a meal. Cake is eaten during special occasions, but chips have become a staple food.
History of Potato Chips
Potato chips have been popular for 150 years. These salty snacks originated in the US. Back in 1853, at a hotel kitchen in Saratoga Springs, New York, the chip was invented by George Speck. He sold his creation to at his restaurant and to neighbouring stores. Business thrived, and the first potato chip plant was established in a converted barn by William Tappenden of Cleveland, Ohio. Business was so good that eleven chip plants began producing the salty snack between 1895–1928. The heyday of chip production gave rise to a number of familiar brands that are still in the market.
Making Golden Chips
Potato chips can be fried using the batch method or by kettle frying. Kettle frying continuously fries the chips and is the preferred method for making a golden-brown snack. Whereas, batch frying causes chips to have a more fat, blistering and a harder surface due to the presence of starch on the chip’s surface. No matter the method of frying, before the product cools and the surface oil solidifies, the chips receive salt and/or seasoning.
Adding Flavour
Chip manufacturers salt or season chips before packaging. To get the favour just right, salt and/or seasoning is generally applied when the product is still hot in order to help flavour stick to the chip’s surface.
Commercial equipment for the application of seasonings consists of a unit that applies the seasoning by sprinkling it over the potato chips as they pass below on a conveyor belt or while tumbling in a rotating drum. The salt is generally added as very fine crystals and usually constitutes 1–2% of the finished product weight. Seasonings are generally spice mixtures with other ingredients and additives. flavouring levels vary but may comprise from 5% to 10% of the finished product’s weight.
It’s all in the Seasoning
Many flavours can be found in the Indian market, with barbecue, cheddar cheese, sour cream and onion, and vinegar, among others, being the most common for chip makers and chip seasoning manufacturers alike. Nowadays, chip seasoning manufacturers are getting creative and everything from seaweed to cucumber can be found in the market. Admittedly, a plane chip is nothing to get excited about, but seasonings make this neutrally flavoured snack a versatile favourite.
Barbeque Flavoured Chips: Barbeque sauce flavour almost tastes like it was made for potato chips. Still, not all barbeque chips are created equal. Some are alright, and others are downright offensive to the taste buds. But these chips are the real deal. These are the chips you take to the cookout. Barbeque chips have a mildly sweet mesquite flavour and a smoky aftertaste.
Salt and Vinegar Flavoured Chips: Salt and vinegar chips weren’t always so popular. While the salt is good with the chip itself, it’s the vinegar that makes you want more. Vinegar has a unique flavour that can be described as sour, but it is not a lemony sour. This unique flavour makes people love these chips and makes it a great selling point for companies. The salty-sour combination in these potato chips make them the best around, and they are a clear upgrade to the standard salted potato chip.
Cream and Onion Flavoured Chips: These are a recent appearance on India’s chip market. They’re enjoyed so much because the onion flavour isn’t too overpowering and the sour cream flavour is just right. Best of all, there isn’t too much or too little of a powdery flavour.
Sweet and Spicy phenomenal Flavoured Chips: Jalapeño flavour chips are quite delicious. This chip hits the tastebuds first with sweetness, followed quickly by Jalapeño heat. These chips are quite addictive.
Flamin’ Hot Flavoured Chips: The thin and crispiness of this potato chip combined with the light, but generous, coating of flamin’ hot flavour is irresistible. There’s also an interesting note of sweetness to these chips that offsets the intense burn of the spice, giving it a well-rounded flavour rather than an acidic taste.
Sea Salt and Black Pepper Flavoured Chips: Sea Salt and Crushed Black Pepper chips make this list because they’re a prime example of simplicity in potato chips done right. These chips have a very particular amount of slick and creamy oil, fine-grain sea salt and crushed black pepper coating on every chip. The flavour’s so mild and the crunch is so satisfying.
Peri Peri Flavoured Chips: A typical Peri Peri Chip contains more than just paprika, you can expect a mixture of chilly, garlic, onion, lemon, vinegar, salt, vinegar,and various herbs in these savoury snacks.
Pizza Flavoured Chips: These chips taste pretty close to pizza but pizza definitely isn’t the most accurate representation. However, even without the “pizza” label, they’re a darn fine chip, possibly one of the best flavours to ever exist even.
Chilli Lemon Flavoured Chips: The bold and quite spicy chilli flavour pairs perfectly with the subtle lime tang. The crispness and lightness of this chip sets it apart from the rest. You might find your lips hurting about halfway through the bag, but you’ll be all right with it.
Tomato Flavoured Chips: These chips are among the most common chips in the Indian market. Nowadays, you can find many varieties in Tomato Chips, like Tangy Tomato, Spanish Tomato, Sundried Tomato and Tomato Ketchup chips.
Masala Flavoured Chips: This is another common category of chip, especially in India. People enjoy Masala Flavoured chips all year round. The taste is different based on region.
All things considered; India is broadening her palette. Potato chip seasoning manufacturers are experimenting and bringing new flavours to the market. These flavours might go great on your salty snack.