History of Amritsari papad
Amritsari Papad has its roots deep in Punjab’s rich culinary traditions, tracing back generations to the vibrant city of Amritsar — a place famous not only for the Golden Temple but also for its hearty, flavorful fod culture. While papad as a crispy, thin lentil wafer exists in various forms across India, the Amritsari version stands out for its bold spices and robust taste. Traditionally, making papad was a household activity in Punjabi homes. Women would gather to roll out dozens of papads by hand, drying them in the sun and storing them for daily meals or special occasions like weddings and festivals. Over time, this home-based tradition blossmed into small cottage industries. Many families, especially women, turned papad-making into a livelihood, crafting batches using recipes that were passed down through generations.
What sets Amritsari Papad apart is its spicy, aromatic punch. Unlike milder versions found elsewhere, this papad is made with urad dal flour mixed with black pepper, cumin seeds, carom seeds, and sometimes chili and hing. These spices give it the bold, unmistakable flavor that mirrors Punjab’s love for hearty, robust food. In the early 20th century, Amritsari Papad became popular outside local homes and found its place in small shops and local markets, often sold alongside sun-dried lentil dumplings called wadiyan. As Punjabis migrated during and after the Partition, they carried this culinary legacy to new cities and countries, helping Amritsari Papad become a beloved pantry staple for Indian communities around the world.
Today, you’ll find it roasted or fried as a crunchy side with dal-chawal or sabzi-roti meals, crushed over street food for extra texture, or served as an appetizer with tangy chutneys at roadside dhabas. Even now, many local brands and family-run units in Amritsar continue to hand-roll, sun-dry, and pack papads in the traditional way, blending craft with modern quality standards. Amritsari Papad remains not just a snack but a symbol of Punjab’s warmth, community spirit, and small-scale entrepreneurial pride — a taste of home that has connected generations and crossed borders while staying true to its flavorful roots.
How amritsari papad are made
The process of making Amritsari Papad has remained largely unchanged for generations and is still cherished as a symbol of Punjab’s culinary craftsmanship. It starts with selecting the main ingredient — urad dal (black gram lentils) — which is cleaned thoroughly to remove any dust or stones. The urad dal is then finely ground into a smooth flour. This flour forms the base that gives Amritsari Papad its signature crispness.
Next, the dry flour is mixed with a carefully measured blend of bold spices that make this papad famous. These typically include coarsely crushed black pepper, cumin seeds, ajwain (carom seeds), a pinch of hing (asafotida) for aroma, and sometimes red chili powder for extra heat. A small amount of salt and edible soda may also be added for taste and texture. All these ingredients are mixed together with warm water to make a soft, pliable dough.
Once the dough is ready, it’s allowed to rest for a short time to ensure the flavors infuse properly and the gluten develops, making it easier to roll. Small balls are then pinched off and each one is hand-rolled with a wooden rolling pin on clean boards into thin, round discs. Skilled artisans know just how thin to roll them — thin enough to dry well but strong enough not to tear. In small-scale cottage units and homes, this step is often done by women sitting together in groups, turning papad-making into a comunal and social activity.
The freshly rolled papads are laid out carefully on clean cloths, mats, or large bamboo trays and kept under direct sunlight. Proper sun drying is crucial because it removes all moisture, which ensures that the papads remain crisp and last longer without spoiling. This drying process can take a few hours to a few days, depending on the weather and thickness. Sometimes, the papads are turned or flipped to ensure even drying on both sides.
In modern, larger-scale units, some steps may be semi-automated. Dough mixers, rolling machines, and controlled drying chambers help standardize production and maintain hygiene. However, the core recipe — the bold spices and traditional rolling — often remains the same to keep the authentic Amritsari flavor alive.
After drying, the papads are sorted by size and quality, checked for any cracks or uneven edges, and stacked carefully to prevent breakage. Finally, they are packed in moisture-proof packs, sometimes sealed with vacuum or nitrogen flushing to keep them crisp during transport and storage. Many family-run units and trusted brands still proudly follow these age-old methods to deliver the same taste that generations have enjoyed.
When ready to eat, Amritsari Papad can be roasted directly over an open flame, microwaved, or deep-fried to bring out its full aroma and crisp bite. Whether served as a snack, a side dish, or a crunchy topping for chats and salads, every bite carries the heritage of Amritsar’s bold, hearty food culture.
How many types of Amritsari papad
Medium Spicy Black Pepper Papad – signature peppep-packed flavor Foods.shopkruz Amritsari Medium spicy papad Black pepper Papad – Foods.shopkruz.com
Kali Mirch (Black Pepper) Papad – intensely peppery variant Amritsari Kali Mirch Papad Black pepper papad – Foods.shopkruz.com
Anardana Masala Papad – tangy and flavorful with pomegranate seeds Anardana papad Amritsari – Foods.shopkruz.com
Garlic Papad – classic lasun-rich option Amritsari Garlic Papad lehsun taste – Foods.shopkruz.com
Garlic Luxury/Top‑Quality Papad – premium garlic variant Amritsari Garlic Papad Luxury top quality – Foods.shopkruz.com
Punjabi Tadka Masala Papad – spicy, traditional Punjabi seasoning Punjabi Tadka Masala Papad – Foods.shopkruz.com
Cumin-Jeera Papad – aromatic with cumin flavor Amritsari cumin jeera papad – Foods.shopkruz.com
Sabudana Garlic Papad – fasting-friendly, sabudana-based variant Garlic Sabudana Papad 300 Gm, Upwas Sabudana Papad For Fasting Fryums Ready to Fry Papad – Foods.shopkruz.com
Sabudana (Plain) Papad – simple, unflavored fasting variety Sabudana Papad 300 Gm plain – Foods.shopkruz.com
Top 10 papad manufacturer in Amritsar
Foods.Shopkruz — A trusted name known for authentic Amritsari papads, classic black pepper papad, luxury garlic papad, cumin papad, and innovative masala blends. Renowned for premium quality, traditional recipes, and wide variety.
The brand is especially well-known for its classic black pepper papad, which features the distinctive kick of coarsely crushed kali mirch blended perfectly with urad dal flour. This signature variety is loved for its robust flavor and crispy bite, which pairs beautifully with everyday meals or as a snack with chutneys and pickles.
Foods.Shopkruz also offers a luxury garlic papad, a top-tier variant made with carefully selected fresh garlic and traditional spices. This premium version highlights the brand’s dedication to using authentic ingredients while preserving age-old rolling and sun-drying methods that families in Amritsar have trusted for generations.
Another customer favorite is their cumin papad (jeera papad), infused with aromatic cumin seeds that lend a warm, earthy flavor. It’s an excellent choice for those who love a milder yet deeply satisfying taste that complements North Indian meals perfectly.
In addition to these classics, Foods.Shopkruz stands out for its innovative masala blends and unique flavor twists that appeal to both traditional tastes and modern preferences. From spicy tadka papads to tangy anardana papads and special fasting-friendly sabudana variants, the brand ensures that everyone can enjoy the crunch and spice of authentic Amritsari papads, whether at home, at celebrations, or served as starters at Punjabi feasts.
What sets Foods.Shopkruz apart is not just its flavorful variety but its commitment to premium quality and hygienic processing. Every batch is made with carefully sourced ingredients, skillfully hand-rolled by trained artisans, and dried under natural sunlight to achieve the perfect crispness. Rigorous checks ensure that each papad maintains the traditional homemade taste that Punjab is famous for while meeting modern packaging and safety standards.
With a wide distribution network and an ever-growing base of loyal customers, Foods.Shopkruz continues to carry forward the heritage of Amritsari papads from the bustling streets of Punjab to kitchens across India and beyond. For families craving an authentic taste of Punjab’s spice and warmth, Foods.Shopkruz remains a name they trust, enjoy, and proudly share at every meal.
Amritsari Papad House — One of the oldest family-run brands preserving age-old rolling techniques and sun-drying methods.
Kohinoor Papad Bhandar — Popular for its pepper and masala papads, widely distributed to restaurants and local shops.
Mehra Papad Udyog — Well-known for homemade-style papads with robust Punjabi spices.
Punjabi Papadwala — Specializes in traditional Amritsari wadiyan and papads with strong local presence.
Baba Deep Singh Papad Company — Offers various lentil-based papads with bold flavors, serving both local and export markets.
Amritsari Moti Mahal Papad — Recognized for crispy handcrafted papads and custom spice blends.
Royal Taste Papad Industries — Supplies flavored papads to hotels, caterers, and large Punjabi events.
Sardar Ji Papad Works — Family-owned brand focusing on garlic and black pepper papads.
Classic Punjab Papad — A new entrant known for hygienic packaging and consistent taste.
