Kashmiri Kahwa: A Culinary Adventure Through the Himalayas

wellhealthorganic.com Kashmiri Kahwa: Kahwa, a traditional Kashmiri tea, is a delightful blend of cinnamon, cardamom, saffron, and green tea leaves. It exudes fragrant aromas and offers a delicately spiced, light green tea experience.

Kashmiri Kahwa

• Preparation Time: 2 minutes
• Cooking Time: 5 minutes
• Steeping Time: 3 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Cuisine: Indian, Kashmiri
• Course: Beverages
• Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups water
2. 2 inches true cinnamon
3. 2 green cardamoms
4. 2 cloves
5. 5 to 6 dried rose petals
6. 2 tablespoons sugar
7. 1 teaspoon green tea leaves
8. 4 to 5 almonds 
9. 10 to 12 saffron strands

Instructions:

Preparation:

1. Prepare all the spices before starting to make the kahwa.
2. Lightly crush the cinnamon, cloves, and green cardamoms in a mortar-pestle.
3. Thinly slice the almonds or crush them in the mortar-pestle. Alternatively, chop 2 to 3 walnuts as a substitute.

Making Kahwa:

1. In a saucepan, heat the water over medium heat on the stove.
2. Add the lightly crushed spices and dried rose petals to the water.
3. Stir in sugar according to taste.
4. Allow the water to gently boil.
5. Turn off the heat and place the pan on the kitchen counter.
6. Add green tea leaves to the hot water. Adjust the quantity to suit your preference.
7. Cover the pan with its lid and steep the green tea leaves in the hot water for 3 minutes.
8. After 3 minutes, strain the kahwa into small cups using a tea strainer.
9. Garnish each cup with 3 to 4 saffron strands and sliced almonds.
10. Serve the kahwa tea and savor the delightful fragrance and mild flavor.

Notes:

Ingredient Swaps:

1. Sweeteners: Adjust the type and amount of sweetener according to your preference or omit them altogether.
2. Spices: While cloves can be skipped if unavailable, green cardamoms and true cinnamon are essential for the authentic flavor.
3. Rose Petals: If you don’t have dried rose petals, you can omit them.
4. Saffron: If saffron is unavailable, it can be omitted without compromising the taste.

Helpful Tips:

1. Brewing Time: Brew green tea for 2 to 3 minutes, adjusting based on the quality and grade of the leaves. Avoid steeping the leaves for too long to prevent bitterness.
2. Honey: Avoid adding honey as a sweetener, as per Ayurveda, it may become toxic when heated or dissolved in hot liquids.
3. Where to Buy: Green tea leaves and pre-made kahwa mixes are available at health stores, supermarkets, or online retailers.