New Delhi, Feb. 28 -- Farsan, Gujarat's vast repertoire of savoury snacks, appears alongside meals, between meals, and often in place of them. Even the most basic thali of dal, bhaat, rotli, and shaak feels incomplete without a crunchy, spiced accompaniment. Long-standing Marathi influences, Gaekwad patronage, and the coexistence of tradition and change have all influenced Baroda's snack culture.

Their spread was aided by history. Gujarat and Mumbai were both part of the Bombay Presidency, and migration driven by the textile trade helped Gujarati food traditions take root in Mumbai. Food writer and culinary consultant Saee Koranne-Khandekar explains, "These foods were shelf-stable, portable, and dependable, especially in regions like Kat...