[ KAHWA of KASHAMIR a fragrant green tea. ]

A fragrant green tea infused with delicate flavors of crushed almond ,cardamom,pods,clove and cinnamon bark.

Gunjan.Sharma@timesgroup.com

An aromatic soul-warming green tea that resonates with the blend of spices like saffron,cardamom pods,almond,often called 'a tea straight from heaven's for its amazing flavor.Khawa is ideal when you crave for a little warmth in your cup. The best part about Kahwa is that it's caffeine-free,so you can enjoy all the benefits of tea with out feeling guilty.

Many believe that Khawa tea leaves come through the spice route,though some say it originated in the Yarkland Valley during the Khushan empire in the first and second century AD. Nalini Moti Sadhu who runs a Kashmiri Restaurant in Gurgoaon say,"In Kashmir,we add a lot of sugar or honey to Khawa almost like a chashni. Here we make it without sugar and let add it as per their taste".Monika Koul,a Kashmiri who's been living in Delhi for nearly a decade now,says "We begin our day with a cup made of home made Khawa for a much needed boost to health".

The subtly sweet Kahwa is of a light green hue which turns to gold after adding saffron. The beverage is also consumed in Afganistan.PPakistan and some parts of central Asia.

WHAT'S SPECIAL

Khawa is an essential part of Kashmir culture and no Khawa traditionally brewed in a copper samoVar.There is a Khawa for every ooccasion - classic Khawa,Doody Khawa and the Shangri Khawa. Making Khawa is almost a ritual.You know it's ready ready once the tea starts bubbling over,with a delicious aroma of cinnamon and codamom in the air.Thetea leaves aren't brewed for more than 30 seconds (over brewing will make it better).Khawa is known to boost the immune system and is antioxidant,too.

RECIPE

Khawa is an essential part of Kashmiri culture and no festival or gathering is complete without a pyaal(cup)oF KaHwa traditional breed in a copper samovar .There is a Khawa for every occasion - classic Khawa,Doody Khawa,and the Shangri Khawa.Making KaHwa is almost a ritual you know it's ready once the tea starts bubbling over,with a delicious aroma of cinnamon and cardamom in the air. The tea leaves aren't brewed for more the 30 seconds (over brewingwill make it better)Kahwa s known to boost immune system and is an antioxidant,too.

Courtesy:

Gunjan.Sharma@timesgroup.com and Times of India.