Kashmiri Kahwa Recipe | Aromatic Spiced Green Tea Recipe
Kashmiri Kahwa is a traditional aromatic tea from Kashmir, India, brewed with green tea leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, rose petals, saffron, and lightly sweetened with sugar. This mildly spiced tea is perfect for cold weather and offers a fragrant, soothing experience that is both gluten free and vegan.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 3 small cups
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian, Kashmiri
- Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
Ingredients
Tea Base
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon green tea leaves (adjust as per taste)
- 2 tablespoons sugar (or to taste)
Spices
- 2 inches true cinnamon stick
- 2 green cardamoms
- 2 cloves
- 5 to 6 dried rose petals (optional)
- 10 to 12 saffron strands (optional)
Garnish
- 4 to 5 almonds, sliced or crushed (optional; walnuts can be used as substitute)
Instructions
- Prepare the spices: Lightly crush the cinnamon, green cardamoms, and cloves using a mortar and pestle. Thinly slice or crush the almonds if using. Set all aside before brewing.
- Start boiling the water: In a saucepan, add 2 cups of water and place it over medium heat on the stovetop.
- Add spices and sugar: Add the lightly crushed cinnamon, cardamoms, cloves, dried rose petals, and sugar into the boiling water. Allow the water to gently boil with the spices and sugar to infuse flavors.
- Steep the tea: Turn off the heat and remove the saucepan from the stove. Add the green tea leaves to the hot water, cover the pan with a lid, and let it steep for 3 minutes to avoid bitterness.
- Strain and serve: Using a tea strainer, pour the brewed kahwa tea into small cups. Garnish each cup with 3 to 4 saffron strands and sliced almonds.
- Enjoy: Serve the fragrant kahwa tea warm and enjoy its soothing, mild green tea aroma.
Notes
- You may use your preferred sweetener or omit sugar completely.
- Green cardamoms and cinnamon are essential; cloves can be skipped if unavailable.
- Dried rose petals and saffron strands are optional but add a traditional flavor and aroma.
- For a nut-free version, omit almonds or walnuts.
- Steeping green tea leaves for longer than 3 minutes may result in bitter taste.
- Honey is not recommended as a sweetener since heating honey can produce undesirable effects according to Ayurveda.
- Green tea leaves and kahwa spice mixes can be found at health stores, large supermarkets, or online.
