Description
Kashmiri Chai, also known as Pink Tea, is a traditional, aromatic beverage from the Kashmir region. Made with Kashmiri tea leaves, baking soda, and spices, then blended with milk and topped with crushed nuts, this warm drink is creamy, slightly salty, and beautifully pink in color.
Ingredients
4 cups (1 litre) cold water
3 tbsp Kashmiri tea leaves
¼ tsp baking soda
⅓ tsp salt
1 star anise
1-inch piece cinnamon
3 cloves
5 green cardamoms
2 cups (500 ml) ice-cold water
1 cup (250 ml) milk
1 cup (250 ml) kehwa
1–2 tbsp sugar (optional)
Crushed almonds and pistachios, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, add 4 cups cold water, Kashmiri tea leaves, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and green cardamoms. Bring to a boil.
- Add baking soda and salt, then reduce heat slightly and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half (about 2 cups).
- Pour in 2 cups ice-cold water along with a few ice cubes from a height.
- Aerate by vigorously pouring about 1 cup of the tea back and forth between mugs or with a ladle for 10 minutes (“phaintna”).
- Once deep red bubbles appear, remove from heat and strain. This kehwa concentrate can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- In a saucepan, bring milk to a boil. Add sugar if using.
- Pour in the kehwa (1:1 ratio with milk, or adjust to taste).
- Simmer briefly, then cover and let the tea rest for 2–3 minutes to develop flavor.
- Pour into serving cups. Garnish with crushed almonds and pistachios. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- Use half-and-half or cream instead of milk for a richer tea.
- Add saffron strands to the milk for extra aroma and golden undertones.
- Sweeten with honey or jaggery instead of sugar.
- Skip sugar entirely for a more traditional salty taste.
- Add a pinch of ground cardamom to the milk for stronger spice.
- Garnish with rose petals for a festive touch.
- Try cashews or walnuts instead of pistachios for garnish.
- Infuse a drop of rose water for floral notes.
- Make it vegan by using almond or oat milk (color may differ).
- Serve chilled over ice for a refreshing summer version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Simmering & Aeration
- Cuisine: Kashmiri
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
