India Food Stats

Ever wondered why some bottled green chutneys look brighter and more “fresh from the silbatta” than the ones you make at home? Spoiler alert: it’s not magic, and it’s not just the chillies. Sometimes manufacturers decide that nature’s green isn’t quite green enough… so they make it greener. That’s exactly what’s happening in Kissan Chilli Peanut Thecha Chutney with the addition of Natural Food Color (Chlorophyll). Images: Open Food Facts Although it contains a high percentage of green ingredients which provide natural green colour: Green chillies – 24% & Coriander puree (part of the 40% vegetables) but it still has added chlorophyll as a cosmetic ingredient! Chlorophyll (E140 / E140i) is a natural green food colour extracted from plants (typically grass, alfalfa, spinach, nettles, or similar). It is permitted in India and many other countries as a food additive. Some commercial green chutneys and sauces add chlorophyll purely to maintain an attractive bright green appearance th...

Every Indian kitchen has its share of mysteries — like why the pressure cooker whistle sounds louder during exams, or why chai always tastes better at the neighbor’s house. But one puzzle that keeps popping up is: “Do I use baking soda or baking powder?” Baking Soda is the solo performer. It’s pure sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), and it only comes alive when paired with something tangy — think lemon juice in nimbu pani, curd in dhokla, or vinegar in pakoras. Without that acidic partner, it just sits in the batter like a shy guest at a wedding. Baking Powder is the full orchestra. It already has acid mixed in, so it can puff up your cakes and biscuits without needing lemon or curd. That’s why your bakery‑style sponge cake rises beautifully even without a squeeze of nimbu. Baking Soda is also called “cooking soda”. They are chemically the same compound but prices vary by branding and packaging. In different regions, it’s also known as Meetha Soda, Khane ka Soda, Saji na Phool, Soda Uppu, ...

Coconut water is one of the most popular natural hydration drinks today. With so many brands available on supermarket shelves and online platforms, it becomes important to understand what you are actually buying. Packaged coconut water generally comes in two categories based on the label declaration – those that mention 100% Coconut Water and those that are reconstituted from coconut water concentrate . Image: OpenFoodFacts Below is a comparison of popular packaged coconut water brands available in India, grouped by their label claim (data from OpenFoodFacts.org & Amazon.in). 100% Coconut Water Brands (as declared on label) Brand Name Ingredients Pluckk 100% Natural Tender Coconut Water with Real Malai Chunks Tender Coconut Water (99.30%), Coconut chunks(0.70%) Pluckk Natural Tender Coconut Water Tender Coconut Water (100%) Mojoco Coconut Water Tender coconut water Yu 100% Coconut Water Coconut Water Raw Pressery Coconut Water Coconut Water (100%), Biopreserva...

Erythritol is a food additive, also known by its European food additive code, E968 . It is a type of sugar alcohol or polyol that's used as a low-calorie sweetener in many foods and drinks. Some countries, such as Japan and the United States, label it as  zero-calorie . It has been approved for use as a food additive in the United States and throughout much of the world.  It was discovered in 1848 by Scottish chemist John Stenhouse.  It occurs naturally in some fruit and fermented foods.  At the industrial level, it is produced from glucose by fermentation with a yeast, Moniliella pollinis.  Erythritol is 60–70% as sweet as sucrose or table sugar, yet it is almost non-caloric. It does not affect blood sugar or cause tooth decay It is partially absorbed by the body, excreted in urine and feces.  According to the GundryMD website, Dr. Steven Gundry is a heart surgeon.