How a passion for forgotten regional recipes and uncompromised ingredients created India's 1st authentic artisanal chakhana house.
For decades, Indian snacking has been hijacked by mass industrial factories — ultra-processed namkeens deep-fried in inflammatory palm oil, loaded with synthetic MSG, and stripped of regional identity.
Yet, in the narrow lanes of Mathura, the coastal kitchens of Kerala, the tea-stalls of Kolkata, and the royal havelis of Rajasthan, timeless recipes were quietly passed down through grandmothers and master halwais.
CHKNA was born from a simple conviction: India's iconic chakhana culture deserves the same craftsmanship, respect, and luxury presentation as fine wines, single malts, and artisanal teas.
"Chakhana is not filler food. In Indian culture, it is the soul of every evening conversation, the catalyst of laughter, and a celebration of regional spice heritage."
We traveled across 14 states to partner directly with local halwai families, cold-press oil mills, and spice farmers.
Flaky ajwain mathris slow-roasted in pure desi ghee, paired with sun-dried Himalayan berries and roasted spiced chickpeas.
Crisp Nendran banana chips cooked in virgin coconut oil, spiced murukkus, and golden sesame crisps tempered with fresh curry leaves.
Tangy puffed rice with pungent cold-pressed mustard oil, paired with fiery Bhoot Jolokia peanuts from Assam's highlands.
Crispy Gujarati wheat khakhra bites with roasted sesame, Kolhapuri garlic sev, and Rajasthani fenugreek crisps.
Royal dal moth roasted with cumin and hing, Bhopal's signature sweet-savory mixture, and super-crispy lentil karari.
We will never compromise your health for higher factory margins. Every CHKNA snack is cooked exclusively in pure cold-pressed groundnut oil, virgin coconut oil, cold-pressed mustard oil, and desi ghee.
Palm oil is the #1 shortcut used by commercial snack manufacturers because it is cheap and lasts indefinitely on supermarket shelves. But it leaves a heavy, greasy film and causes inflammation.
By pairing cold-pressed oils with traditional slow-roasting and airtight nitrogen-flushed tins, we achieve superior crunch, authentic regional aroma, and zero post-snack heaviness.
Experience India's most iconic regional snacks curated in 5 luxury keepsake collections.