Panipuri: Why Women Can’t Resist This Delicious Snack?

Panipuri is not just food but an emotion! That blast of the hot, spicy, tangy, crispy, watery ball in the mouth, sparks a thousand feelings at once. But have you ever thought about what makes this simple street food a savoury delight? Why is Panipuri so loved?

This humble Indian snack has gone global. In India, there is a Panipuri stall at every corner of the street with different flavors of different states. The vendors in India offer different kinds of fillings and masala mix water making the dish more mouth-watering.

But if we look beyond its taste, the love for Panipuri remains a mystery!

Despite being unhealthy and unhygienic (at many places), this cheat food is too hard to resist. The other day, a concerned couple visited my clinic and revealed that their girls are crazy about Panipuri. It was giving them nightmares.

Also Read: Why your child loves sweets so much?

Health hazards of Panipuri

The moment you walk towards that Panipuri stall, a little voice in your head says you are risking your health. But the temptation of taste silences that voice. But the truth remains that there can be many types of health issues due to Panipuri.

Stomach Troubles – diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting, jaundice, ulcers, digestive issues, stomach pain, swelling in the intestine. 

Blood Pressure – Panipuri can cause a spike in blood pressure. Panipuri contains a lot of salt in the water and the mixture. This isn’t good for high blood pressure patients.

Obesity – Panipuri is fatty junk. Fried puris, potatoes, and a lot of salt can cause weight gain.

Heart problems and cancer – The oil used to fry the puris are of low quality. So, eating this junk food regularly can affect your heart health. The recycled oil is harmful and can lead to cancer.

Hygiene problems – In most of the stalls, the vendors do not consider the hygiene parameter at all. From the water they use to the flies sitting on the potatoes, it can be a hotbed of germs.

Hepatitis A – There is also the possibility of getting Hepatitis A which spreads through a virus.

Late that evening I went back home and asked my wife, why girls like Panipuri so much? I have seen a crowd swamping around the Panipuri stall in RT Nagar, girls eating joyously with tears in their eyes but smiling on their lips.

My wife smiled and said – the secret of Panipuri love is panchatanmatra.

Why do people love Panipuri so much? – Panchatanmatra

Panchatanmatra, according to the Vedas, is the five objects of five senses. The term Panchatanmatra is a Sanskrit word, pancha, meaning “five”; tan, meaning “subtle”; and matra, meaning “elements.” Foods that tease the five sense organs of the body – rupa (eyes), gandha (nose), sparsa (skin), rasa (tongue) and sabda (ear).

Shabda – It is the satisfaction of sound that comes with the cracking of the crispy puris. 

Sparsha – The mix of solid and liquid touches at once to the inner layer of the mouth creates an unmatchable feeling. 

Roopa – The round shape and bright yellow color of Panipuri makes it palpable. The first step of digestion is not chewing but the eyes that fall on the food. 

Rasa – Panipuri is a nice mix of spicy, tangy, sweet, and salty. 

Gandha – Panipuri stalls emit an inviting smell.

My wife also said that eating in the street is a symbol of freedom. People rarely make it at home, it is kind of a party that everyone can afford. It bars the boundaries of class and religion. This love for Panipuri is one of the many things that connect us.  So, these little things that we often oversee, make the humble Panipuri an irresistible offer!

Conclusion – Why is Panipuri so loved?

Now that we have an explanation for the love of Panipuri, let’s accept that we cannot just ignore the aromatic, mouth-watering invitation of the Panipuri stall and walk away. So, here are a few suggestions that can make your panipuri love guilt-free!

Make it at home once in a while and make it a ritual to have this homemade Panipuri party. That is not only hygienic but you can also use better quality oil to make the puris.

Rather than going to the unhygienic street-side shops, go to the ones that maintain proper hygiene. From keeping the mixtures covered to wearing gloves to using clean water. Many shops do that. 

Don’t eat it regularly. You can have this cheat binge once in a month and make sure you remember you are just satisfying your tongue, not your body!