**PM Modi’s Jhal Muri Visit Amid Bengal Election

Its Origins, Recipe, and Health Benefits**

A video is going viral on X showing PM Modi relishing Jhalmuri, the iconic snack of West Bengal, and sharing it with children and ladies. No doubt, PM Modi visited West Bengal several times, but this time his visit before the West Bengal Elections has captivated the heart of the Bengali people. After this spicy visit by PM Modi on April 19, the local shopkeeper became instantly famous and was picked up by the mainstream media.**

What is Jhalmuri? **The name Jhalmuri is made up of two words: the first one is Jhal, which is spicy, and the second one is puffed rice. The dish is a fusion of these two elements and is known for its unique blend of flavours and aroma. Several ingredients, such as mustard oil, chopped onions, green chillies, chickpeas, and a few drops of lemon juice, give Jhal muri a distinctive taste. Interestingly, it is a light, tasty, and easy-to-make snack under 5 mins that could be enjoyed with a cup of tea in the evening hours.

Jhalmuri’s real identity lies in Bengal. Generally, it has been viral that the jhalmuri’s real identity lies in Bihar, but its origins are from West Bengal. It can be easily found in the bustling lanes of Kolkata. Vendors can be easily found selling jhalmuri, which has become an integral part of Kolkata’s street food. Notably, the name of the dish may vary on the location, and there is a slight change in the taste as well. Jhurimuri is famous in Karnataka, Bhelpuri in Mumbai and Laiya-Chana in Uttar Pradesh. Significantly, the fame and taste of Jhalmuri is not limited to India but has successfully gained fame on the global stage. It has become a vibrant symbol of India’s cultural diversity.**

What is the difference between Bhel puri and Jhal muri? Bhel puri’s roots belong to Maharashtra, while Jhal Muri’s roots are connected with West Bengal. Bhel Puri is sweet, tangy and wet with some chutneys like khatii and meethi and some sev, whereas Jhal muri is a bit dry, having a pungent smell of mustard oil, puffed rice, green chillies, onions, Chanchur, roasted peanuts and mango slices. Jhal muri- a healthy option Jhal muri is a healthy option for evening munchies. It is a low-calorie and nutrient-dense snack prepared with onions, chick peas, potatoes, chanachur mustard oil and limited spices. In addition, it is high in fibre, helps in digestion and provides instant energy due to its carbohydrate content. It is a good weight-loss-friendly alternative to processed snacks. Recipe of Jhal muri **Jhalmuri is an authentic Bengali local street food. It is made up of puffed rice, spices, mustard oil, peanuts, and chopped vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, cucumber, green chillies, and chanachura and a few drops of lemon juice.

Key steps for making delicious Jhal muri 1) Mix the dry ingredients such as puffed rice, chanachur and sev 2) Add the chopped vegetables like onions, chickpea, boiled potato, green chillies and coriander 3) Toss the mixture with some spices like Black salt, roasted cumin powder, red chilli powder, and chat masala. 4) Add some mustard oil and a few drops of lemon juice into the prepared mixture. 5) Serve with a hot cup of tea or coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions Q1) What do you mean by Jhal muri? Jhal Muri consists of two words: Jhal relates to spicy, and Muri is related to puffed rice

Q2) From which state does Jhal Muri belong? Jhal Muri is the iconic street-style snack of West Bengal

Q3) When can someone have the Jhal muri? Jhal Muri is ideal for evening munchings; it can be consumed at any time

Q4) Is Jhal Muri a healthy option? Yes, Jhal muri is a healthy option. It is a low-calorie snack which is high in fibre.

Q5) What is the basic difference between Jhal Muri and Bhel Puri? Jhal muri is a bit dry, whereas Bhel puri is a little wet due to the chutneys added to it. The roots of Jhal muri lie in West Bengal, and Bhel puri is an evergreen snack of Maharashtra.

Q6) What is Jhal Muri called in English? Jhal muri is called spicy puffed salad in English.