Kahwa Recipe (Kashmiri Kahwa Tea)
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Kashmiri Kahwa is a traditional green tea infused with saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, and almonds. It’s light, aromatic, and deeply rooted in Kashmir’s culinary heritage. Kahwa is a great drink to sip on cold winter days, but it can be had throughout the year. Here is how to make it at home.
Here are some more tea recipes that you may like: Lemongrass Chai, Sulaimani Chai, Pudina Chai, Irani Chai, and Turmeric Ginger Tea.
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When we went to Kashmir last year, I was super excited to try the local cuisine. At least once a day, we indulged in the local delicacies. Although over the years I have learned to make many Kashmiri recipes, like Mutton Rogan Josh, Kashmiri Rajma, Kashmiri Dum Aloo, and their popular Walnut Chutney, I wanted to try them all again.
I was excited to drink kahwa too. But unfortunately, things have changed a lot for tourists in Kashmir. At most places, kahwa is made using a premix. They just add the powder to a cup of hot water and call it kahwa.
So if you go to Kashmir and drink kahwa there, do not form your opinion of this fabulous drink based on that taste alone. Try this authentic recipe, which I learned from a Kashmiri friend many years back.
Why You Should Not Use A Kahwa Tea Pre Mix?
Many brands sell a blend of green tea, saffron, and whole spices as a “kahwa premix,” but these mixes often compromise the drink’s true flavor. Before I learned the authentic method, I used such premixes and was disappointed with the results.
When tea and spices are boiled together, the tea can turn bitter, or the spices don’t get enough time to fully infuse their flavor into the water.
The ideal way to make kahwa is to first simmer the whole spices in water, allowing their aromas and flavors to release fully, and then briefly add the tea leaves at the end. This careful process simply isn’t possible with a premix, which is why it often falls short of delivering an authentic kahwa experience.
Samovar
Kehwa was traditionally prepared in a brass or copper kettle known as a Samovar.
A samovar consists of a “fire container” running as a central cavity, in which live coals keep the chai perpetually hot. Around the fire, a container holds water for boiling, and the chai leaves and other ingredients are mixed into the water. People in Kashmir make large batches of this tea and store them in a samovar. The kahwah remains warm for many hours, and they keep sipping throughout the day.
However, you can also make a perfect cup of kahwa in a regular saucepan.
Ingredients
All the ingredients to make the Kashmiri kahwa tea recipe, except the Kashmiri green tea, are easily available in Indian grocery stores. For the Kashmiri green tea, you might have to look online.
- Kashmiri green tea – Kahwa tastes the best when made using the Kashmiri variety of green tea. However, you can use any green tea leaves you have on hand.
- Saffron strands (kesar) – Use the best quality saffron. Try to buy saffron from a trusted source. Since it is a costly spice, it is prone to adulteration.
- Whole spices – Kaahwah is flavored with whole spices such as cinnamon (dalchini), cloves (laung), dried rose petals, and green cardamoms (hari elaichi).
- Honey – If you like your Kahwa a little sweet, add a little honey while it’s hot and mix it thoroughly. You can skip adding any sweetener if you just want to enjoy the original flavors.
- Almonds – Slivered almonds are used as a topping. You can use pistachios or cashew nuts in place of almonds.
Pro Tip By Neha
Do not add tea leaves while the heat is on. It helps retain the tea’s nutritional value and does not compromise the taste. Strain after 30-40 seconds of infusing. If kept for long, it will become bitter.
How To Make Kashmiri Kahwa
Step 1: Heat 3 cups of water in a pan over medium-high heat. Once the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low. Add the following ingredients to the hot water, then let it simmer for 3-4 minutes.
- 10-12 strands of saffron
- ½ inch piece of cinnamon stick
- 1 clove
- 1 green cardamom
- ½ teaspoon dried rose petals
Step 2: Switch off the heat. Add 1 teaspoon Kashmiri green tea to the pan and stir gently.
Step 3: Let the tea steep for 30-40 seconds.
Cover the pan with a lid to keep the chai warm.
Strain the kahwa into 2 cups using a fine strainer.
Step 4: Add 1 teaspoon of slivered almonds and 1-2 strands of saffron to each cup. Add honey if you like your kahwa slightly sweet.
Step 5: Serve hot.
Serving Suggestions
Kahwa is served hot, sprinkled with thinly sliced dried nuts and fruits, such as almonds, pistachios, or cashews, with almonds being the most popular.
Pair it with light snacks like baklava, cookies, or dry fruits.
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Kahwa Recipe (Kashmiri Kahwa Tea)
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 10-12 strands saffron (plus 3-4 more for serving)
- ½ inch piece of cinnamon stick (dalchini)
- 1 clove (laung)
- 1 whole green cardamom (hari elaichi) (lightly crushed)
- ½ teaspoon dried rose petals
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri green tea (or any other green tea)
- 2 teaspoons almonds (thinly silvered)
- 2 teaspoons honey (optional)
Instructions
- Heat water in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Once the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low.
- Add saffron, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and dried rose petals to the pan and let the water simmer for 3-4 minutes.
- Switch off the heat.
- Add green tea to the pan and stir gently.
- Let the chai steep for 30-40 seconds.
- Strain the kahwa into 2 cups using a fine strainer.
- Add 1 teaspoon of slivered almond slivers and 1-2 strands of saffron to each cup.
- Add honey if you like your kahwa slightly sweet. Serve hot.
Just love it! Had it during my visit to Leh Ladakh! Yak farm!! Yak lassi and kahwa tea! The taste ahh!!
Is kahwa tea salty in taste
No it’s not. It’s the other tea from mountains which is called Noon Chai. That is salty, not Kahwa.
Oh God! By merely judging the presentation of this beverage, it already reminded me of the romantic dinner dates with my husband! I just hope it tastes good.
Thnx Guisela. You must try this once. We loved it.
Hi! Where can one source the Kashmiri tea from in bangalore? Thanks!
Try ordering it online. I ordered mine through Amazon.
Mam You Can Try Kashmir online store they have Authentic and Real Kashmiri Kahwa