Kahwa is a spiced tea traditionally associated with Kashmir. It is made with green tea and whole spices, commonly cardamom, cinnamon and saffron, and often served with almonds. Recipes vary from valley to valley and kitchen to kitchen, and there is no single correct version.
Where the word comes from
The word kahwa, also spelled kehwa, is generally traced to the Arabic qahwa, a word that came to mean coffee in many languages. In Kashmir it came to name a spiced green tea instead. The drink is part of the trade routes and food cultures that touched the valley, which is one reason it is spiced and often served with dry fruit.
What goes into kahwa
Every household has its own approach, but the usual building blocks are the same.
- Green tea leaves as the base, brewed in hot water that has been allowed to cool slightly
- Cardamom, cinnamon and often clove for sweet, aromatic warmth
- Saffron, where it is used, for colour and a floral note
- Almonds, either added to the cup or served on the side
- Sugar or honey to taste, and sometimes rose petals
Traditionally kahwa is brewed in a samovar, a metal kettle with a central chamber for hot charcoal that keeps the tea warm through the afternoon. At home most people use a pot or a pan.
Our Desi Kahwa
Our Detox Desi Kahwa is a blend in that spirit. The full ingredient list is green tea, ginger, tulsi, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, black pepper, pipli, licorice, nutmeg, rock salt, citric acid and asafoetida, packed as 25 biodegradable tea bags to a 50 g tin. It is a spiced cup rather than a delicate one, so the ginger and pepper are there on purpose.
How to brew kahwa
Use one tea bag per cup. Let freshly boiled water rest for a minute, since green tea turns bitter in water that is too hot, then pour it over the bag and steep for two to three minutes. Press the bag gently and remove it.
If you find the cup too strong, shorten the steep rather than adding water. Honey is optional, and a few crushed almonds on top are a classic finish.
When to drink it
Kahwa is commonly served warm, after meals or on cold afternoons, in small cups, with a bowl of almonds or a sweet biscuit. There is no rule. It also works as a gentler alternative to a second cup of coffee in the afternoon, though it does contain caffeine because of the green tea.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
What is kahwa made of?
Traditionally green tea with whole spices such as cardamom and cinnamon, often saffron, and commonly served with almonds. Recipes vary by household.
Is kahwa a green tea?
Yes. Kashmiri kahwa is built on green tea, which is why it is brewed with water that is hot but not furiously boiling.
Does kahwa contain caffeine?
Kahwa made with green tea contains caffeine, as all true tea does.
Can I make kahwa with tea bags?
Yes. A blend packed in tea bags, such as our Desi Kahwa, makes it simple: one bag per cup.