The Sweet Story Of Gajar Ka Halwa: How India’s Favourite Winter Classic Was Born

Winters are here, and apart from our cosy sweaters and warm drinks, one more thing becomes essential: that bright red Gajar Ka Halwa. It’s India’s favourite sweet, and one we can never say no to! Winters are considered incomplete without at least one bowl of this halwa, often topped with sweet khoya. But have you ever wondered how this delicacy came to be in India? Today, we are taking a trip down history lane to talk all about it!

Gajar Ka Halwa: Why It’s A Winter Staple & Its History

Gajar Ka Halwa is super tasty and literally everyone’s favourite Indian sweet. If you don’t like it, we might just be judging your taste buds! In short, it is definitely a winter staple. The tempting, khoya-laden halwa is made using the seasonal, juicy red carrots that are harvested in winter. While you might find packaged gajar ka halwa in the markets during summer, it simply won’t taste the same. Moreover, people enjoy it more during the colder months because it contains nourishing ingredients like ghee, nuts, and milk, which help keep us warm and energised throughout winter.

We have been enjoying this delicacy since childhood. Remember how our mothers used to start their preparation in the afternoon so it would be ready by night? These memories are deeply nostalgic, but their history is something you should also be aware of. We all know Gajar Ka Halwa is made using carrots, but did you know that carrots are not native to India? 

Chef Ranveer Brar shared in a YouTube video that carrots actually belong to the regions of Western Afghanistan and Iran. It is believed that many years ago, carrots were not just red but were also harvested in yellow and black colours. Black coloured carrots are still common today and are sometimes called “kali gajar”. It was during the 17th century that the Dutch started specifically harvesting orange carrots in honour of Prince William of Orange. These carrots turned out to be really sweet and became extremely popular.

Also Read: Gajar Ka Halwa Gets A Dubai Chocolate Twist! Food Creator Shares How To Make It At Home

How Did It Become Famous In India?

The word ‘halwa’ comes from the Arabic word for ‘hulw’. The dessert itself basically originated in the Middle East and can be traced back to the 13th century. According to The Better India, some of the earliest recipes for halwa are found in the Arabic cookbook Kitab-al-Tabikh. However, the initial recipe only included dates, semolina, and nuts with honey. As halwa slowly spread to many regions, its recipe acquired numerous variations.

The Mughals, especially, have always experimented with halwa. They readily adopted this dessert and enriched it with local ingredients, creating many different types. Some of the halwas from the Mughal era include: Badam Ka Halwa, Moong Dal Halwa, and Lauki Ka Halwa.

In the 17th century, carrots were being cultivated for royalty. Growers and exporters slowly introduced the sweet orange carrots into India via traders from Persia and Afghanistan. They initially reached Punjab and soon found their way into the kitchens of the Mughal court.

The Dessert Is Called ‘Gajrela’ In Punjab

The Mughal chefs, who loved experimenting with halwa, started using fruits in various halwa recipes for the ruling Mughal emperors of that time. Since the orange carrots were so sweet, they instantly became popular. It is a well-known fact that halwas of any kind enjoyed huge popularity among the Mughals. Gajar Ka Halwa slowly became popular in Northern India, especially in Punjab, where it is still often called ‘gajrela’, and slowly spread to the other states of India. And since then, we have been loving this dessert. 

Apart from the classic orange or red-coloured gajar ka halwa, Lucknow is known for its Kali Gajar Ka Halwa, which is prepared using black carrots. It is considered a lot more rare due to the limited harvest of black carrots. Like the usual recipe, the rest of the ingredients: milk, ghee, sugar, and nuts, remain the same.

Also Read: 10 Indian Sweets You Can Make By Replacing Sugar, If You’re On A Sugar-Free Diet In Winter

Every home in India has its own method for preparing this rich Indian dessert. Some people like their gajar ka halwa with less milk, while others prefer lots of warm milk and nuts. How do you prefer it? Do let us know!

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ prabhjits