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Who Are They?

Curry Smugglers was founded by Steve and Ruby, first-generation British Asians who grew up straddling two cultures. Inspired by childhood memories of family trips to South Asia, they recognised a gap: authentic Desi snacks, proudly packaged and made for today's style-conscious consumers in the UK.

Their brand reclaims the act of “smuggling” homemade spice bombs—once hidden in suitcases—and turns it into a celebration of heritage. Bold colours, humour, and homage to tradition define every can, laying claim to a distinct identity on the shelf.

The Snacks: Taste & Ingredient Rundown

Now, onto what really matters: how they taste. Each snack is reviewed below, with flavour notes, crunch factor, and ingredient transparency.

Bombay Mix

Ingredients: Lentils (green & yellow), gram flour, potato & corn flours, peanuts, rapeseed oil, cumin, coriander, salt, chilli powder .

Taste & Texture: Light but shatteringly crunchy. The combo of lentil bits and fried gram noodles offers a satisfying play between crispy and airy. Peanuts deliver a punch of nuttiness, while cumin and coriander give warmth and earthy depth—as familiar to Indian palates as the Paris Hilton turn-up track you bop to on your Desi playlist.

Overall Enjoyment: Highly addictive. Not overly greasy, and perfect for dipping or straight from the can. The chilli builds gradually, making it accessible to even mild-spice lovers without compromising authenticity.

Chakli

Ingredients: White rice flour (70.5%), urad flour (23.5%), salt, sesame and fennel seeds, chilli, black pepper, water, rapeseed oil. 

Taste & Texture: Beautifully spiral-shaped, with artistry in every crunchy twist. Sesame brings a gentle nuttiness, while fennel adds a light licorice kick that balances the mild heat. The rice-and-urad base gives it a more delicate snap than Bombay Mix but a satisfying crunch nonetheless.

Overall Enjoyment: This is snack sophistication. Elegant, refined, and ideal with tea or as a lighter change of pace server. The texture makes it feel like a gourmet treat rather than a heavy snack.

Pakora Cans

Ingredients: 92.3% channa dal, fennel seeds, garlic flakes, chilli, rapeseed oil, salt, water .

Taste & Texture: Think of traditional pakoras—deep-fried vegetables in a chickpea batter—then reimagine them in an all-day, crispy nibble. These have a firmer, denser bite thanks to the dal base. Garlic and fennel spike the flavour, layered with just enough chilli to let you taste each note.

Overall Enjoyment: Comfort food energy in every can. Truly savoury, and utterly moreish. They scorch just enough spice to linger without overwhelming—ideal with a glass of cold lager or a cup of masala chai.

In Conversation with Your Tastebuds

Each can delivers an immersive taste experience rooted in tradition, but reengineered for modern enjoyment:

Bombay Mix is the go-to for crunchy spice flex.

Chakli is the snack for slow, thoughtful munching—rich yet light.

Pakora offers heartiness and depth, satisfying any remit for savoury fullness.

These aren’t gimmick flavours—they’re expertly layered, texturally engaging, and finished with real ingredients you’d be proud to source and serve yourself.

More Than a Snack: A Cultural Movement

Design That Speaks South Asian

Ditching carved-out stereotypes, the cans are crafted with vibrant colours and strong, sans-serif fonts. They’re confident, they stand out, and they shout “modern Desi” louder than any elephant illustration ever did.

Steve and Ruby don’t just sell snacks—they sell identity. That’s why each can is packed with pride, reclaimed narratives, and unapologetic cultural voice.

Community & Mental Health as Business Pillars

Beyond snack innovation, Curry Smugglers are vocal advocates for mental health, especially in the South Asian community. Their support of initiatives like Talk Club channels a powerful message: opening up about mental strain is brave, necessary, and worthy of support.

With every can sold, they foster both taste and talk—breaking stigma one crunchy bite at a time.

ALL IN ALL

In a market overflowed by landfills of plastic and imported emptiness, Curry Smugglers stands tall. Their snacks are vibrant, textured, and irreverent—just like their founders. The cans are clever and reusable; the flavours are soul-stirring; the ethics are beyond mere spiel.

Curry Smugglers isn’t simply a snack company. It’s a movement in a can—a cultural swing, a taste hit, and a social whisper rolled into one delicious package.

Whether you're a spice veteran or a taste explorer, there's something inside those cans that’ll make you pause, savour, and maybe even smile. Because you're not just enjoying food—you're celebrating heritage, sustainability, and connection.

So go ahead: crack open a can. Experience something more than a snack—experience a statement

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