The short version: it comes from peas and wheat. If you want the long answer, keep reading.
PEAS AND WHEAT HAVE A LOT OF PROTEIN
- Peas. About a quarter of a dried yellow pea is protein.
- Wheat. Wheat protein is what gives bread its structure and chew.
Both have been eaten in India for centuries. Neither is new, and neither is exotic.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THEM
- The peas are dehusked and milled.
- The protein is separated from the starchy part.
- That concentrate is mixed with water and pushed through an extruder under heat and pressure.
What comes out the other side is fibrous and porous rather than powdery. That structure is the whole point: it gives bite, and it soaks up the spices around it.
WHY NOT JUST ADD PROTEIN POWDER
Powder works in a shake. In real food it turns the texture chalky and flattens the spice. You would taste the protein instead of tasting the tikki.
IS THIS GOOD PROTEIN
Yes, and the reason is worth understanding.
- Pea protein is high in lysine, which most grains lack.
- Wheat protein is high in methionine, which most legumes lack.
- Together, the gaps fill in. This is not a new idea. It is why dal and rice have been eaten together for a very long time.
Both are naturally free of cholesterol and saturated fat, and come with fibre.
WHAT'S IN EACH PACK
| Product | Per serving | Per pack |
|---|---|---|
| Protein Samosa | 15g (4 samosas) | 38g |
| Beetroot Tikki | 10g (2 tikkis) | 40g |
| Mushroom Chettinad Tikki | 10g (2 tikkis) | 40g |
| Hara Bhara Kebab | 10g (2 kebabs) | 40g |
| Darjeeling Momos | 9g (4 momos) | 22g |
| Dilli-6 Momos | 9g (4 momos) | 22g |
QUESTIONS NOBODY ASKS BUT SHOULD
Why not soya chaap?
Soya chaap is a fine thing and plenty of people love it. But it tastes like soya chaap, which means it only works in dishes built around it. Pea and wheat protein disappear into the food. A Hara Bhara Kebab made this way tastes like a Hara Bhara Kebab.
Is this a meat substitute?
No. We aren't imitating anything. These are Indian dishes that already existed, made with more protein in them.
Is this processed food?
In the same sense that flour, paneer, tofu and idli batter are processed. The steps are mechanical and old: milling, separating, heating, shaping. Nothing is synthesised. Read the ingredient list on any pack and you'll recognise everything on it.
Does it contain allergens?
It varies:
- Contain gluten: the momos and samosa.
- Contain peanuts: the tikkis and kebab.
Full ingredient and allergen information is on every product page and on the pack.