How to make Kashmiri Kahwa tea? Know the benefits of this flavourful detox drink

Being inherently Indian is synonymous with starting your day with a steaming hot cup of tea. To say that Indians love tea would be an understatement. Tea has always been an integral part of Indian culture since it is seen as more than simply a beverage; it is also a herbal remedy for a variety of ailments ranging from the seasonal cold to severe stress and headaches. However, one such tea that beats them all is Kashmiri Kahwa tea. Come, let’s learn how to make kahwa tea! 

Herbal and spice teas are light on the stomach, as they are usually made without milk or sweetness. They are quite popular amongst Indian youths but a Kashmiri Kahwa has a lot to offer.

To Know about the benefits of Kashmiri Kahwa tea, HealthShots spoke to Amrita Pandey, a nutritionist and health trainer at Organic India.

What is Kahwa tea?

Also Read

How to be a good friend: 6 tips for healthier and happier friendships Read Now

“Kahwa is a traditional and soothing Kashmiri green tea blended with whole spices including ginger, black pepper, clove, and cinnamon. Ingredients such as saffron, dry fruits, Sweet Rose tea, herbs, rock salt, etc. are also used in the blend for a rich flavour. It is a non-dairy tea that, when served hot, detoxifies and soothes the throat, especially throughout the winter months. An ideal Kashmiri kahwa contains one or two dried fruits such as cherries, apples, raisins, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts, almonds, cashew nuts, dried apricots, or dates,” says Pandey

Here’s why you should switch from your regular tea to detoxifying Kahwa tea

Tea has now become a way of life for many people. However, over-consumption of tea on a daily basis may have some negative effects on your body, especially when you consume it with milk and sugar. Much like caffeine, sometimes the side effects of drinking too much milk or black tea with sugar can cause insomnia leading to anxiety. While little amounts will not harm you, consuming more than 3-4 cups a day can create serious sleep problems. In addition to that, one of the most apparent milk tea side effects for the skin is the appearance of pimples and acne breakouts.

Benefits of drinking Kahwa tea:

1. Kahwa contains natural, plant-based ingredients that support healthy digestion with congestion-relieving properties.
2. It helps build immunity. 
3. The spices used in the blend are also known to support a healthy immune system and build stamina. 
4. In addition, it helps in aiding stress and anxiety.
5. Kahwa tea is a powerful adaptogen that is abundant in antioxidants, it improves metabolism and skin health
6. Regular consumption of Kahwa tea burns fat, provides relief in cough and cold, and it does all of that whilst uplifting your mood. 

How to make Kahwa tea at home easily?

Based on an age-old traditional wellness recipe for wholesome detox, kahwa is traditionally made in a brass kettle called ‘samovar’ in Kashmir. The samovar contains a central cavity in which a lump of hot coal is inserted, while the surrounding space is used to boil water and other tea components. So, if you have a brass kettle at home, use it to make this tea. If a brass kettle is not available, any other kettle or saucepan will suffice. Different types of kahwa tea taste significantly different, based on the combinations of ingredients used in the blend. 

In this particular recipe, you will need 

3 cups of water

3 teaspoons of loose green tea leaves

6-7 almonds 

2-3 black pepper

3 green cardamoms

1/2 inch cinnamon stick

a pinch of saffron

1 tsp of rose petals

This tea is preferred by most without any sweeteners to get that rich flavour of the spices and rose. But you can easily add Jaggery or honey during or after the brewing process.

Preparation:

Step 1: Add 3 cups of water to the samovar, or a saucepan or kettle and heat it. Bring it to a simmer.

Step 2: Add all the spices, saffron, and rose petals to the hot steaming water. Bring it to a boil. Let the ingredients boil well in water for 2-3 minutes.

Step 3: Add the green tea leaves and switch off the flame.

Step 4: Cover the pan and let the tea steep for 2-3 minutes. You can steep it for 5 minutes for a rich green tea flavour.

Step 5: Strain the tea using a tea strainer.

Step 6: Add slivered almonds and serve this detox kahwa tea immediately.

If you do not have all the ingredients you require to make this amazing beverage from scratch, you can always pick up your favourite tea blend from the supermarket. Put one infusion bag in a cup, pour freshly boiled water over the bag, cover, and infuse for a couple of minutes. You can add a natural sweetener like honey to it if you like and enjoy the calmness in a good old cuppa.