Quick-Commerce Fuels Exotic Snack Craze in Hyderabad
Hydration products are also in demand as temperatures cross 40°C in Hyderabad. Coconut water, electrolyte drinks, flavoured water, iced teas and instant cooler mixes are among commonly ordered items.
Hyderabad: Korean chips, probiotic drinks, chilli lime makhana, protein puffs and electrolyte mixes are replacing regular chips in many homes this summer, with quick‑commerce platforms turning into late‑night snack aisles for students, cricket fans and work‑from‑home employees.
Amid the IPL season, school holidays and soaring temperatures, consumers are increasingly ordering experimental snacks and cooling drinks through apps such as Zepto, Blinkit and Swiggy. Industry reports show sharp growth in demand for ready‑to‑eat foods, beverages and impulse purchases, particularly among younger urban buyers.
“Earlier we just bought chips or soft drinks from nearby stores. Now there are Korean corn chips, wasabi peanuts, peri peri lotus seeds, flavoured seaweed snacks and even pickle‑flavoured almonds available in less than 10 minutes,” said Poojitha Kasula, a 24‑year‑old software employee from Himayathnagar.
Students say affordability matters. “Some of these snacks cost less than café food or ordering proper starters. You can try five or six different things together,” said Snehal Pritam, a postgraduate student in Venkatagiri.
City‑based content creator Pranay Raj said Korean and Japanese‑inspired flavours have become especially popular. “People want novelty. They are bored of plain salted chips. Social media trends and quick commerce availability are pushing people to try things they would never find in a normal kirana store,” he said.
Hydration products are also in demand as temperatures cross 40°C in Hyderabad. Coconut water, electrolyte drinks, flavoured water, iced teas and instant cooler mixes are among commonly ordered items.
Nutritionists caution against over‑reliance on ultra‑processed foods. Clinical nutritionist Dr Srujana Vipin Rao said: “Protein chips or baked snacks may be better than deep‑fried options in some cases, but consumers still need to check labels carefully. Frequent consumption of ultra‑processed foods can become a problem, especially during sedentary summer routines.”
She recommends balancing snack orders with roasted nuts, makhana, trail mixes without excess salt, yoghurt‑based dips, fruit bowls and lower‑sugar drinks. “Staying hydrated, avoiding constant binge‑snacking and pairing snacks with proper meals can help people enjoy the convenience without turning it into a daily health problem,” she told DC.
For many urban consumers, the appeal lies in instant access to novelty — what once required a supermarket hunt now arrives before the next over begins.
