Cold weather brings back traditional savouries to city

With the mercury dipping to six degrees Celsius, a crisp winter chill has firmly settled over the city. The sudden change in weather has not only prompted residents to pull out their woollens but has also stirred excitement as the city’s iconic winter flavours make their much-awaited return.

Known for its rich culinary traditions, Amritsar transforms into a paradise for food lovers during the cold months. As temperatures dropped this week, popular winter delights such as Amritsari fish, ghachak, gur di reori and khazoor (a sweet different from the fruit) began reappearing across street stalls and local markets, drawing crowds eager to indulge.

At the Hall Gate, food vendor Harbhajan Singh said he has already seen a surge in customers. “Jadon thand pai jandi hai, saadi fish di demand vi dugni ho jandi hai,” he laughed. (When winter sets in, the demand for Amritsari fish almost doubles. People say it tastes best in this weather.)

Residents are equally delighted by the seasonal offerings. Ranjit Kaur, a schoolteacher, was seen buying ghachak and reori for her family. “Winters here are incomplete without these traditional sweets. The taste of jaggery in the cold season feels comforting. My children wait the whole year for the vendors to set up their winter stalls,” she said.On the Lawrence Road, 25-year-old Harnoor Singh said he enjoys taking evening strolls specifically to savour the season’s flavours. “The cold breeze and a hot plate of fish — that’s the real winter vibe of Amritsar,” he said. The moment temperatures fall, he added, the city comes alive.Vendors selling khazoor and jaggery-based snacks also reported brisk sales. Rajni Bala, who manages a reori stall, said, “People believe jaggery keeps the body warm, so they prefer it in winter. But mostly, it’s about tradition, as eating reori and ghachak has always been a part of our winter culture.” As the winter deepens, markets are expected to remain busy with both locals and visitors looking to savour these seasonal delicacies.