Indian

Kashmiri Kahwa

Kashmiri Kahwa is a saffron green tea with cinnamon, cardamom, and almond slivers, steeped gently so the tea stays clear and aromatic.

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Kashmiri Kahwa

7 mintotal

Prep 2 min · Cook 5 min

Serves
2
Difficulty
Medium
Spice
Mild

Ingredients

Quantities are for 2 servings.

You'll need: Stovetop.

Active time includes boiling the spices and steeping the green tea off the heat.

Method

  1. In a saucepan, add water, crushed cinnamon stick, cardamom powder, and saffron strands. Bring it to a rolling boil over medium heat.

  2. Let the water boil for about 3-4 minutes so the spices release their aroma and the water turns a lovely golden yellow color from the saffron.

    3–4 min

  3. Turn off the heat. Add the Kashmiri green tea leaves to the hot water.

  4. Cover the pan with a lid and let it steep for 2-3 minutes. Do not boil the green tea leaves on the flame, or the tea will turn bitter.

    2–3 min

  5. Strain the tea into cups. Stir in sugar until dissolved.

  6. Garnish each cup generously with slivered almonds before serving.

How to tell it's done

A clear, golden-yellow aromatic broth that is very light, warming, and scattered with crunchy almond slivers.

Nutrition

Per serving, from 2 servings.

76kcal

Where the calories come from

  • Protein1 g5%
  • Carbohydrate13.8 g69%
  • Fat2.3 g26%
Sugars
12.7 g
Saturated fat
0.2 g
Fibre
0.7 g
Sodium
10 mg
Potassium
39 mg
Calcium
61 mg
Iron
0.2 mg

Estimated by calculation from the ingredient list, using USDA FoodData Central. Not a laboratory analysis.

Getting it right

Tip

The key to perfect Kahwa is never boiling the green tea leaves. Only boil the spices, and steep the tea leaves off the flame.

What to serve it with

Serve hot, traditionally from a samovar, especially during cold winter mornings or after a heavy meal as a light aromatic finish.