Kahwa is a Kashmiri tea flavored with cinnamon, cardamom, and saffron. It is a great drink to sip on cold winter days but can be had throughout the year. Here is how to make it at home (vegan, gluten-free).
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About Kashmiri Kahwa
Kashmiri Kahwa Tea (Kehwa Chai) is a traditional Kashmiri tea flavored with cardamom and infused with cloves, cinnamon, and saffron. It has a very delicate taste, and it soothes the body.
It is a popular beverage, and people throughout Kashmir keep sipping on this to keep their bodies warm during the severe cold months.
The ingredients, such as kesar (saffron strands) and whole spices, give instant relief to the body from the chilled weather outside.
While kahwa is popularly made in winter, you can definitely make it throughout the year.
Kehwa was traditionally prepared in a brass or copper kettle known as 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 container is a space for water to boil, and the tea leaves and other ingredients are mixed with the water.
People in Kashmir make big batches of this tea drink and store it in a samovar. The kahwah remains warm for many hours, and they keep sipping throughout the day.
Kahwa drink is generally served with a sprinkling of thinly slivered dried nuts and fruits like almonds, pistachios, or cashew nuts, almonds being the most popular.
My Kashmiri kahwa recipe to make this Kashmiri chai serves 2, but you can quickly scale the recipe.
Here are some more tea recipes that you may like
- Lemongrass Chai
- Sulaimani Chai
- Pudina Chai
- Irani Chai
- Ginger Turmeric Tea
- Dry Fruits Tea
- Strawberry Tea
Health Benefits Of Kahwa
Kashmiri Kahwa has many health benefits, and you should try to include it in your lifestyle.
It is usually served after meals in any Kashmiri household as it aids digestion and burns fat. It also helps in weight loss.
Kehwa reduces the risk of heart disease by keeping the deposition of cholesterol in check. It also keeps a check on blood pressure levels.
Saffron used in kahwa is rich in vitamin e, vitamin c, and vitamin b12 and aids in immunity building and keeping the body’s defense mechanism in check.
Since it is rich in antioxidants, it is a great stress buster and helps improve metabolism.
It keeps blood sugar levels in check and maintains oral hygiene.
It is an excellent remedy for sore throat, colds, and coughs and improves skin health.
Ingredients
To make kehwah, you need a few ingredients, such as Kashmiri green tea, saffron strands, cinnamon, cloves, dried rose petals, cardamom, and almonds.
Kahwa tastes the best when made using the Kashmiri variety of green tea. Having said that, use any green tea leaves that are readily available to you.
Use the best quality saffron. Try to buy saffron from a trusted source. Since it is a costly spice, it is prone to adulteration.
If you like your Kahwah to be a little sweet, add a little honey while it’s hot and mix it properly.
You can use pistachios or cashew nuts in place of almonds.
Pro Tips By Neha
The only thing to remember while making Kahwa is that you should not add tea leaves while the heat is on.
It helps retain the tea’s nutrition intact and does not hamper the taste.
Strain the tea after one minute of infusing; otherwise, it will become bitter.
How To Make Kahwa Tea
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
- 10-12 strands of saffron
- ½ inch piece of cinnamon stick
- 1 clove
- 1 green cardamom
- ½ teaspoon dried rose petals
to the pan and let the water simmer for 3-4 minutes.
Switch off the heat.
Add 1 teaspoon Kashmiri green tea to the pan and stir gently.
Let the tea steep for 30-40 seconds.
Tip – Cover the pan with a lid to keep the chai warm.
Strain the kahwa into 2 cups using a fine tea strainer.
Add 1 teaspoon slivered almond slivers and 1-2 strands of saffron to each cup.
Add honey if you like your kahwa slightly sweet. Serve hot.
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Recipe Card
Kashmiri Kahwa Tea Recipe
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.
- Tip – You can cover the pan with a lid to keep the tea warm.
- Strain the kahwa into 2 cups using a fine tea 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.
Subha
Hi! Where can one source the Kashmiri tea from in bangalore? Thanks!
msnehamathur
Try ordering it online. I ordered mine through Amazon.
Kashmir
Mam You Can Try Kashmir online store they have Authentic and Real Kashmiri Kahwa
Guisela Fabian
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.
msnehamathur
Thnx Guisela. You must try this once. We loved it.
Sonia
Is kahwa tea salty in taste
Neha Mathur
No it’s not. It’s the other tea from mountains which is called Noon Chai. That is salty, not Kahwa.
Nancy Amanna
Just love it! Had it during my visit to Leh Ladakh! Yak farm!! Yak lassi and kahwa tea! The taste ahh!!