Bamba- Holon, Israel

A few weeks ago, I went on a 4-day hike with several Israelis. One of the foods that I brought on this hike in order to sustain myself was peanut butter. I figured it is protein dense, filling, and can be eaten as part of a meal, or as dessert. To me, peanut butter is a perfect food. 

When I removed the peanut butter jar from my backpack, one of the Israelis immediately shouted, “Oh! Peanut butter! Peanut butter comes from Bamba.” I know he was joking, because everyone knows peanut butter comes from peanuts, right? But this statement was a perfect testament to the popularity of the Bamba snack in Israel. 

Bamba was created in 1963, and the sales have not declined since the first store shelf emptied. Others have compared the texture of Bamba to a puffed Cheeto without the cheese. In fact, this was initially how Bamba started out- but the cheesy taste was not nearly as appealing to Israelis as it is to Americans. Therefore, cheese was replace with a powdery peanut butter coat. The result is a light, savory snack that leaves you licking your fingers for more! 

Bamba became a household name after it was given to soldiers during the Six Day War because of it is light-weight, filling, and easily preserved. The snack was brought home from the battle field and is now a staple in every Israeli lunchbox. 

The key to Bamba’s success in Israel is its mildly sweet flavor. Israelis tend to shy away from dense confections like flans or chocolates. As the world shrinks and the food choices here become more influenced by outside forces, like Belgium’s sweet chocolates and American’s sugar high, the sweet gene is becoming more apparent in Israeli foods. Bamba even introduced two new flavors within the past few years—strawberry and nougat-filled. Only time will dictate the success of these new tastes in this region. 

In front of the Bamba factory in Holon.

Bamba is made by heating corn kernels into a puffed up and weightless “Cheeto” shape, very similar to packaging peanuts or foam insulation. The long strands of “puff” are then cut into inch-sized pieces and placed in a large bin. The bin spins so that when peanut butter is poured in, every last piece is coated to a powdery perfection. 

Natives and tourists of all ages can be found sharing a bag of Bamba with friends. They are a staple at most parties, and a favorite to most anyone who tries them. This snack can be found in every convenience store and supermarket in Israel, as well as Kosher specialty stores worldwide. 

Bamba prominently displayed in a Tel Aviv convenience store.