This chivda is unique. Every chivda is some form of besan (chickpea flour) or rice flour. This chivda is made from grated potatoes, deep fried. Every chivda is savoury with some sweet notes but this one is predominantly sweet.
There are a few versions of this chivda but this is probably the original. The name Batata Chivda is what is used in Mumbai. Batata is the word for potatoes in the local Marathi language - the most common name for it is Aloo in Hindi. Batata is also the word for potato in Portuguese - who are also the ones to have introduced this wonder vegetable to India. It has gone on to dominate the cuisine of India and a chivda was not far behind.
It is also known as Farali Chivda. Farali is the Gujarati or Marathi word for food that is still permitted to be eaten during a religious fast. Potatoes is one of the few staples that are permitted in the complicated and logic defying list of foods that can be consumed during a fast - most grains and pulses are not.
Primary Ingredient: As mentioned, the primary ingredient is deep fried potato straws and not much else apart from pickables and powder.
Main Flavour: Predominantly sweet, with slight salty and theekha notes.
Powder: Mostly sugar with some salt. The theekha flavour is not due to chilli powder but deep fried crisp green chillies.
Pickables: Cashew nuts. There may be also some raisins and, rarely, almonds. Sliced toasted coconut. Occasionally, peanuts.
Other Ingredients: Crisp deep fried green chillies, powdered sugar
Source: It is a store brand and not a mass market brand. It has all the elements of a Batata Chivda. It also has almonds - not common.
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