Kahwa tea, a fragrant and delicately spiced beverage from the Kashmir region, is a delightful blend of green tea leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, saffron and optional rose petals. Known for its light green color and soothing aroma, Kahwa tea not only warms the body but also invigorates the senses. This easy-to-make drink is perfect for any time of the day and offers a taste of traditional Kashmiri hospitality.
Kahwa Tea
Preparation and Cooking Times
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Steeping Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Cuisine: Indian, Kashmiri
Course: Beverages
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2 inches true cinnamon (avoid cassia cinnamon)
- 2 green cardamoms
- 2 cloves
- 5 to 6 dried rose petals (optional)
- 2 tablespoons sugar (adjust as per taste)
- 1 teaspoon green tea leaves (adjust as required)
- 4 to 5 almonds (sliced or crushed, optional; walnuts can be used instead)
- 10 to 12 saffron strands (optional)
Instructions
Preparation:
- Gather all spices before starting to make Kahwa.
- Lightly crush the cinnamon, cloves and green cardamoms using a mortar and pestle.
- Slice the almonds thinly or crush them using the same mortar and pestle.
Making Kahwa:
- In a saucepan, bring the water to a medium heat.
- Add the crushed spices and dried rose petals to the water, followed by the sugar.
- Allow the water to gently boil.
- Once boiling, turn off the heat and add the green tea leaves, adjusting the amount based on your taste preference.
- Cover the saucepan and let the tea steep for 3 minutes.
- After steeping, strain the Kahwa tea into small cups, adding saffron strands and sliced almonds to each cup.
Serving:
Serve the Kahwa tea warm, enjoying the fragrant and mild green tea.
Notes on Variations
You can customize your Kahwa tea by altering the sweetener or omitting ingredients based on availability. For instance, while cloves can be skipped, cinnamon and green cardamom are essential for the authentic flavor. If saffron is unavailable, you can enjoy the tea without it.
For the best flavor, remember that green tea should not be steeped for more than 3 minutes, as longer brewing can lead to bitterness. Interestingly, honey is not recommended as a sweetener since it can become toxic when heated.
Kahwa tea can be found at health stores or supermarkets and pre-made mixes are available online for those who wish to enjoy this delightful beverage without the hassle of preparation.