Best Paneer Brands in India [Top Brands]

Few people can resist the temptation of an extra helping of palak paneer! Paneer preparations are always the main attraction of any vegetarian spread during festivals or weddings. Traditionally, paneer has been popular in northern India and partially in the west. However, that has changed today.

Paneer is considered comfort food and is a favourite with health experts and dieticians. The benefits of eating paneer is not only increasing its consumption in its traditional markets but also opening up new territories. As a result, people in urban areas are looking for the best paneer brands in India.

Is paneer a branded product?

In India, Paneer is a popular food item that traditionally is bought loose by weight. One would typically visit a daily market or a grocer to buy paneer. The production of paneer was primarily confined to the unorganised dairy sector, but with its growing popularity and an expanding consumer base, several large companies have entered this value-added segment with branded paneer.

Best Paneer Brands in India

Preference for paneer is growing

• People are becoming more health-conscious with increased affluence and urbanisation.
• Paneer is low in calorie and fat and improves energy levels
• Paneer has micro-nutrients/proteins similar to non-vegetarian food
• Health experts recommend paneer to even non-vegetarians

An insight into some of the best paneer brands

• Only a tiny percentage of the Indian paneer market (estimated at over Rs. 70,000 crores annually) is catered to by the best brands.
• Only two brands, Amul and Mother Dairy can be termed national players.
• All other leading brands operate locally/regionally at present

The best Paneer brands:

1. AMUL

Founded in 1946 as the Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers Union Ltd (Gujarat), the Amul model is a thriving global example of the cooperative movement.

Today, Amul operates over 200 milk cooperatives across the country and has helped India become the biggest milk producer globally.

Amul Paneer is marketed in three varieties: Fresh Paneer, Malai Paneer and Sterilised Malai Paneer.

The sterilised variety is drained paneer, which is similar to cottage cheese. The product is packed in tin containers (of drained weight 225g and 120g) and offers a shelf life of 270 days (un-opened) under ambient conditions.

Amul Malai Paneer is the most suitable paneer product sold by Amul. The product is offered in diced packing (100g, 200g, 500g, and 1kg) and Block packing of 200g and 1kg. Malai Paneer has a shelf life of six months at - 18℃.

Amul fresh paneer is sold in 100g, 200g and 1kg blocks. The product has a shelf life of 45 days at 4℃. Amul is one of the best paneer brands in India.

2. MOTHER DAIRY

Started in 1974 as an initiative under the programme Operation Flood, Mother Dairy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NDDB (National Dairy Development Board). The company soon assumed a leadership position in the Delhi and NCR region in the branded milk segment.

Subsequently, it ventured into value-added milk products like paneer, ice cream and ghee. Mother Dairy expanded its product range beyond the northern region and is today available in all large cities and urban areas.

Besides milk products, the company now operates in several segments like fruits and vegetables, edible oil, frozen vegetables, pulses, processed food, juices and more.

Mother Dairy paneer is manufactured in a modern factory under strict quality and safety guidelines. It has a shelf life of 15 days under normal home refrigeration conditions (below 8℃). Mother Dairy certainly is among the best paneer brands in India.

3. PARAS

Paras dairy is a north India based company founded in 1960. Besides milk, the company markets paneer in two varieties, fresh and makhni (specially formulated for the preparation of tandoori items). Paras uses high-quality milk produced in-house to make paneer. Packing offered is in 200 g, 500 g, 1 kg and 5kg measures.

4. AASHIRVAD

ITC, the cigarette and hospitality giant, has entered the dairy business segment. Aashirvad paneer is presently available in selected cities in eastern India.

Aashirvad uses a unique vacuum packing technology to keep its paneer soft. The product is available in 200g packaging. Aashirvad paneer, as an ITC product, is sure to go national on the strength of the company’s marketing and brand image.

5. GOWARDHAN

Parag Milk Dairy is a private sector dairy company located in Maharashtra. Founded in 1992, the Gowardhan brand made its mark as a producer of high-quality milk.

Gowardhan aims to be a national brand with a portfolio of packaged items (paneer and much more). The company is creating the required distribution network beyond its strong markets of western India and Andhra Pradesh.

Gowardhan paneer is packed as a block as well as cubes. The regular pack sizes are 100g, 200g, 500g, and 1kg.

6. NANDINI

Nandini paneer is the product of Mandya District Co-op. Milk Union, Karnataka. Operating in a non-traditional paneer consuming area, Nandini Paneer is gradually becoming popular in Karnataka and other major cities in the south. The Nandini brand paneer is available in pack sizes of 200g, 500g and 1kg.

7. ID-FRESH

The brand had a humble beginning in a 50 sq. ft store in Bengaluru in 2005. With a focus on purity and nutrition, ID fresh paneer is made without chemicals. The company is gradually expanding its distribution across India and has robust sales in the online food retail segment. The other popular product range of ID fresh is Idly / Dosa batter.

8. NUTRAVITA

Nutra Vita offers a range of freeze-dried products, opening up a new packaged foods segment. The Surat-based company's range includes Paneer / dairy-based products, fruits, vegetables, and spices.

Paneer, Feta cheese cubes, Mozzarella powder, cheese flakes comprise a range of new-age paneer/cheese products. Besides the western zone, the brand is extensively retailed online.

Characteristic of good Paneer from the best brands

Good quality paneer is marble-white in colour, sweetish and mildly acidic in taste. It has a nutty flavour with a spongy and smooth textured body mass. A fresh milky odour symbolises good paneer.

The unorganised sector produces the majority of paneer sold in India. Traditional manufacturing means there is no consistency in quality, though the farmers (paneer makers) follow conventional practices while making paneer from milk. However, the organised sector maintains the specified norms and is guided by the recommendations of the food regulatory agencies.

Therefore, the best paneer brands in India offer a standardised product to a great extent.

Best paneer brands: Distribution and availability

• Large grocery stores in every market
• Company franchised outlets/kiosks (mainly for Amul and Mother Dairy)
• Departmental Store
• Online – with primary food sellers and e-commerce sites

Best Paneer brands in India: Future Scenario

• Improved product quality due to efficient manufacturing by organised players.
• Better consumer confidence (no adulteration in branded products.)
• The ongoing pandemic has increased awareness about packaged products and their consumption.
• Higher advertising and promotions leading to market expansion.
• Increasing hygiene and health consciousness will shift consumers to branded paneer.
• A change in eating habits (a section of people are giving up meat and turning to vegetarian foods)

Conclusion

The growing popularity of paneer is expanding its consumer base in India. Organised players are entering the business, and we are witnessing the emergence of new paneer brands. However, with diverse market conditions and region-based availability, the choice of the best paneer brands in India is left to the ultimate authority: the consumer.

Also Read:

1) Best Oats Brands In India
2) Best Mayonnaise Brands in India
3) Best Skimmed Milk Brands in India
4) Best Chips Brands in India
5) Best Saffron Brands in India

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FAQs

Q. Which is the best paneer brand?

Ans. The consumer decides the best brand depending on availability and perceived quality.

Except for Amul and Mother Dairy, all other paneer brands operate locally.

Q. Can branded paneer replace locally made products?

Ans. Traditionally paneer is sourced locally from unorganised makers. It is still long before branded paneer is available in every market. However, there will always be some customers preferring local products. Therefore, local paneer will continue with a slightly lower share in consumption.

Q. Some brands of paneer speak of long storage (three to four months). Will the quality be suitable for consumption?

Ans. The best paneer brands in India use modern manufacturing processes and packaging procedures. Moreover, all applicable food safety regulations are followed to ensure quality. However, storage of packaged items generally implies storing in the original (packed) condition.

Q. Is paneer good for health?

Ans. Diet experts recommend paneer as an everyday food. Besides being a reliable source of protein, paneer helps in digestion and boosts your energy level.

Q. Is tofu a variety of paneer?

Ans. Tofu is made from soya milk (or extract). Paneer is made out of cow or buffalo milk. Tofu and paneer are similar in look and feel, but their origins differ.