Did You Hear About Kashmiri Kahwa?

Winter mornings have a ritual. It takes forever to come out of our cosy blankets and the day gets impossible to start without a cup of chai. Being a chai person, I have tasted multiple types of tea. From rose tea to white tea, I have covered them all. That is why I love sharing my experiences with my readers as well. But recently, I came across a type of tea that simply blew my mind. My recent Kashmir trip introduced me to the supremely delicious yet healthy winter beverage called “Kashmiri Kahwa”.

Let’s Dig Into Some History

The minute I had the first sip of the famous Kashmiri Kahwa, I was so intrigued to know more about its origin and life story. In my opinion, every kind of chai has its life story. No matter where it has originated, where it was first blended, every cup of chai will have a story behind its journey before reaching in your cup. So I immediately googled to know more about the Kahwa and here are a few interesting facts that I have found recently:

• The word ‘Kahwa’ comes from an Arabic word called “qahwah” which means an aromatic beverage. Now it makes sense as the kahwa is a beautiful blend of numerous fragrant spices like saffron, cinnamon, cardamom along dried rose petals which are steeped together with the ‘Kashmiri Green Tea.
• Its origin is a little sensitive and sceptical as there are many local stories regarding it. Some say that the Mughals introduced Kahwa to the Kashmir valley and some legends say that kahwa was a popular drink across the Middle East and Central Asia. One way or the other, there is an invisible but inseparable bond between Kashmiris and kahwa. Mostly because it only helps them to survive in the dry cold winters but has also become a part of their cultural identity.
• One interesting part that intrigued me the most about my cup of Kahwa was the presence of small silvered almonds in it. On enquiring a little, I was told that the kahwa is poured on saffron and silvered almonds to deepen its flavour and add to the richness in its taste. Also, sweeteners like sugar or honey are added as per preference.

A Cup Of Warmth 

Although Kahwa is a drink that you can savour any time of the year, it is best known to be a helpful companion during cold winter nights. There is a reason why kahwa is so popular and loved in the chilly valleys of Kashmir. So before you get your cup of kahwa, let us see how it would help you to survive through the winters:

1. Magical Ingredients – The blend of spices like cloves, cardamom and cinnamon turns out to be a go-to potion for providing warmth on winter mornings and nights. Plus the presence of green tea in it helps to detoxify the body and help in improving metabolism and digestion.

2. A nightmare for Common Cold – Apparently, the kahwa helps in eradicating that stubborn cough and cold out of your system. In fact, if you are bored of your same old ‘Kadha’, then the kahwa can be a definite substitute for it. Add some honey or any kind of sweetener to make it even better.

3. For That Healthy Glow – If you are suffering from active acne issues or want a subtle winter flush on your face, then a cup of hot brewing kahwa can be your best friend this season. The antioxidants present in the beverage soothes the areas affected with acne and provide moisture to the skin for that natural glow.

4. Can be A Healthy Alternative To Your Glass of Rum – Mostly in the areas with extremely cold climate conditions, a lot of people depend on alcohol to keep themselves warm. Kahwa can become a suitable substitute for alcohol as provides the required amount of warmth to your body without causing any kind of harm. Even its excessive consumption will cause no harm to your system.

With so many things to look forward to, the Kashmiri Kahwa turns out to be nothing but a golden elixir in itself. The taste, the benefits, the essence and the blend are all luxurious in their true sense. Moreover, finding a good cup of kahwa is not that difficult in today’s times. Yes, you might have to go to Kashmir to taste the original blend but you can definitely find an alternative in a good cafe in your city or a tea agent. But no matter how you source the Kashmiri Kahwa tea leaves, make sure that you enjoy your cup of warmth to relax and leave all your stress behind.