Authentic Kashmiri Kahwa Tea Recipe

Ankit Tiwari — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 12:23:31 +0000

Kashmiri Kahwa Tea

As our New Year’s first month comes to an end, the cold season of winter slowly drifts into deep slumber, while the floral arms of spring await to embrace us soon. And as the seasons begin to change, our preference of beverage types and flavours also begin shifting. However, there are some flavours that are evergreen. One such is the Kashmiri Kahwa Tea. And while there are many variants, the best Kashmiri Kahwa tea recipe is when it is done the authentic way. The Kashmiri Kahwa tea, or Kehwa, is an aromatic green tea that originated somewhere around the second century and has been a staple drink in the countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan, regions of Central Asia and Northern India, especially the Kashmir Valley. It is a combination of green tea leaves, saffron, cinnamon bark, cardamom pods, cloves, star anise, dry fruits like almonds, walnuts or cherries and sometimes even Kashmiri roses. Our present market is full of readymade Kashmiri Kahwa tea, which makes it super easy to prepare this tea. However, there is a rather satisfying taste and experience achieved upon preparing the Kashmiri Kahwa tea recipe the traditional way. Let's have a look at how the Kashmiri Kahwa tea is made, the authentic way.

Course Drink

Cuisine Indian

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 2 People

Calories 54kcal

Ingredients

2 tsp Pure Green Tea
3 cups Water
8-10 strands Saffron
½ inch Cinnamon stick
2 Cloves
2 pods Cardamom crushed
½ tsp Dried rose petals
2tsp Almonds slivered
1 tsp Honey optional

Instructions

Heat 3 cups of water in a pan.
Add saffron, cinnamon, cloves, dried rose petals and cardamom in water and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes.
Switch off the heat and add green tea in the water.
Let the tea steep for 2 minutes.
Strain the Kashmiri Kahwa tea in 2 cups.
Add almond slivers and a few strands of saffron for garnish.
Add honey if required.
Serve hot.

Notes

More about the Kashmiri Kahwa Tea Recipe

The traditional Kashmiri Kahwa tea recipe includes it being prepared in a brass kettle known as Samovar. Presently, Kashmiri Kahwa tea is made in regular vessels by boiling green tea along with its ingredients. On special occasions, it is boiled with strands of saffron (known as ‘kong’ in Kashmir) called the ‘Kong Kahwa’. In few Kashmiri Kahwa tea recipe only the herbal ingredients are used, avoiding the use of green tea completely. Served in either a glass or clay mug, the drink is garnished with slivers of almonds, pistachios, roses or saffron. Generally, Kashmiri Kahwa tea is served after a heavy meal for a cup of Kahwa packs a power punch of antioxidants for its drinker. There are at least 36 known variants of the Kashmiri Kahwa tea recipe present all over the world. No matter the season, Kahwa has been a staple for Kashmir for ages. Its floral yet spiced up mouthfeel gives its drinkers a refreshing aftertaste. It is just one of the many flavourful teas that you should try at least once this New Year.

Ankit Tiwari

I’m a Blogger, always ready to explore new things. Starting from Technology to Seo, webiners etc. Driving more and more traffic to our website is my passion.

The post Authentic Kashmiri Kahwa Tea Recipe appeared first on Teafloor Blog : All About Tea | Health Benefits of Tea.

Teas That Go Best with Milk and Sugar

Ankit Tiwari — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 05:31:42 +0000

Roaming around in the crowded streets of India, we all have a picture of what value tea holds in the hearts of people. The aroma of brewing tea leaves and bubbling milk being poured into small cups by chai wallahs on the tea stalls is the first thing that we come across early in the morning. These chai wallahs, or anyone who has mastered the art of brewing an ideal cup, are aware that crafting fine tea requires a developed sense of perception for touch, sight and sound. This art is irreplaceable by a machine. However, the method of crafting a good cup can differ from person to person. Some may like their tea extra sweet with milk, sugar or honey while others are likely to add just water to finely plucked tea leaves.

The one good thing about tea is that it has a number of methods to brew. And for those who like to add milk and sugar to it, numerous tea varieties can easily become a part of their life. Let’s have a look at some of them.

Kadak Masala Chai

No matter what the season is, a cup of tea spiced with Indian flavours is an all-time desire. Along with milk and sugar, the fashioning of this popular form of tea includes spices like cardamom, clove, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, etc. Its flavour and taste is such that it is known to be one of the most awaited pick-me-ups of the day. Just one cup is enough to fuel up your day with some extra energy. There are also a number of benefits of this one drink. For instance, the grated ginger added to it is considered an elixir for colds and is known for clearing congested chests. Cinnamon acts as antioxidant for the body and also has other detoxifying and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Bombay Cutting Chai

Famous throughout Mumbai or Bombay, the Cutting Chai is called so because even though it is prepared with milk, its flavour is so strong that only half a glass is served at a time. It is also known as the modified form of masala chai and is served in ‘cutting glasses’ instead of cups. Made popular by cinema, this tea is a huge part of the Bombay culture. However, it is also loved in other cities of the subcontinent, as India is a nation of tea lovers. This tea also contains additional condiments like ginger, tulsi, lemongrass, cardamom, etc. which makes it stronger than the usual cup of masala chai. It is aromatic and flavorful, with a good blend of milk, sugar, spices and strength. Its sweet spicy flavours tinkle your sensory buds and leave you with a sublime feeling.

Kashmiri Kahwa

Originating from Kashmir, this tea is a combination of exotic Indian spices and milk. The signature flavour of this tea is derived from saffron strands (also known as ‘kong’), included in the blend. Adding cardamom, almonds, cinnamon and cloves, etc. along with milk makes its flavour even better. It can be consumed at any hour of the day, but is best served during brunch.

It has been a part of Kashmir’s cuisine and staple flavour for ages, with 36 different flavours of its own. In the past, it was prepared in a brass kettle known as Samovar, but nowadays it is made in regular vessels by boiling it along with its ingredients.

Tulsi Chai

Known to be India’s most sacred herb – the holy basil brewed with milk is a drink that every other Indian fancies. Fresh tulsi leaves are added to the brew along with other ingredients like sugar or honey to make it more delicious. It can be prepared with or without milk and the best and most preferred time to consume it is in the morning.

This tea acts as a stimulant to produce more gastric juices and is nothing less than a tonic for the body and mind. Tulsi has always been known for promoting the digestion of food, and that makes it an ideal beverage after a complete meal. If blended with lemon and ginger, it becomes a perfect remedy to a number of diseases like bronchitis, asthma, and pneumonia. Although, it is advisable not to blend milk and lemon together in your drink.

Cardamom Tea

Be it any kind of dish, sweet or salty, cardamom is regarded as one of the best loved ingredients. Consuming a single cup of cardamom tea can definitely brighten your day and set you in the perfect mood. Adding this one ingredient to your tea will not only enhance the flavours, but also turns it into a storehouse of benefits. From aiding digestion to helping treat symptoms of cold and flu, it can do a number of things for you. So, don’t think twice before making this tea a part of your everyday diet.

The combination of milk and sugar is such that it can fit with almost every kind of tea if brewed efficiently. Even if you are a lover of flavoured teas like Rose, jasmine, orange zest, etc. adding milk and sugar or either of the two will only enhance its taste and help you innovate more with your everyday drink.