Panchratan means five jewels, which is a generous name for a snack mix and a fairly accurate one. Five different fried elements in the one packet, each with its own texture.

The variety is the point. No two handfuls are quite the same.

Open it with tea, put it out when people arrive, or take it on a long drive. It is one of those mixes that disappears without anybody admitting to having eaten it.

Stocked at Curry Corner in North Melbourne.