Kashmiri Chai Recipe

In India, morning tea goes beyond just being a drink; it’s a beloved ritual filled with deep traditions and lively culture.

In Kashmir, chai is especially popular, and there are many ways to make this delicious beverage.

Kashmiri chai is made with green tea leaves, milk, cardamom pods, cloves, and cinnamon sticks.

It is essential to use fresh ingredients to make the best-tasting chai.

Kashmiri chai has a strong flavor, but is not bitter.

The milk makes the tea creamy and smooth.

The spices add a warm richness to the flavor.

If you have never tried Kashmiri chai, you should try it! It is a great way to start your day or enjoy a relaxing moment.

Thus, Kashmiri chai is a delicious Indian tea perfect for chilly mornings or evenings.

Here is a recipe for Kashmiri chai that you can make at home:

What makes Kashmiri Chai Pink?

There are 3 main components at play:

Baking soda

Adding baking soda to the water causes a chemical reaction that makes the water more alkaline.

This raises the pH of the water and makes it easier for the tea to extract color from the leaves.

Aeration

Aeration also helps with this extraction process by exposing the tea leaves to more oxygen.

Adding cold water to hot water

Adding cold water to hot water also helps extract more color from the leaves.

Kashmiri Chai is usually made with green tea leaves, which have a lot of chlorophyll.

This chlorophyll breaks down when exposed to alkaline conditions, making the tea turn pink.

So, combining these three factors – baking soda, aeration, and adding cold water to hot water – makes Kashmiri Chai pink.

What is Kashmiri Chai made of?

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup milk
• 2-3 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 teaspoon green tea leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder

Why is Water needed?

Kashmiri chai is a delicately flavored tea, and the water quality will significantly impact the tea’s final flavor.

It is best to use filtered or spring water for this recipe.

How is milk used?

Whole milk is traditionally used in this recipe, but you can also use 2% or skim milk if you watch your calories.

The milk adds richness and body to the tea, which is hard to replicate with just water.

Milk is rich in calcium and Vitamin D.

It also has high potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels.

These nutrients are essential for maintaining good health.

Sugar

Sugar is added to taste in this recipe.

You can add more sugar if you like your tea on the sweeter side.

If you prefer a less sweet tea, you can reduce the amount of sugar.

Green Tea Leaves

Green tea leaves are rich in antioxidants and have many health benefits.

They are also what give Kashmiri chai its characteristic green color.

You can find green tea leaves at most health food stores or online.

Cardamom Powder

Cardamom powder is used to add flavor and aroma to the tea.

It is also a good source of antioxidants.

Cardamom powder can be found in most Indian grocery stores or online.

Let’s dive into the process.

1. Bring the water to a boil in a small pot.

The first step is to bring the water to a boil.

This ensures that all ingredients are adequately infused and that the tea is correctly brewed.

2. Add green tea leaves, cardamom powder, and cloves.

After the water has come to a boil, add the green tea leaves, cardamom powder, and cloves.

These ingredients will give the tea its characteristic flavor and aroma.

3. Allow the tea to steep for 3-5 minutes.

After adding the green tea leaves, cardamom powder, and cloves, allow the tea to steep for 3-5 minutes.

This will allow the flavors to infuse into the water properly.

4. Add the milk and sugar.

After the tea has steeped for 3-5 minutes, add the milk and sugar.

The milk will add richness and body to the tea, while the sugar will sweeten it.

5. Allow the tea to simmer for 5-10 minutes.

After adding the milk and sugar, allow the tea to simmer for 5-10 minutes.

This will allow the flavors to blend properly and the tea to turn a beautiful green color.

6. Serve the tea hot or cold.

Once the tea has simmered for 5-10 minutes, it is ready to be served.

Kashmiri chai can be served hot or cold.

You can add ice cubes to the tea if you serve it cold.

Enjoy your Kashmiri chai!

This recipe makes 2 cups of Kashmiri chai.

Suppose you want to make a larger batch, double the ingredients.

Kashmiri chai can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Notes

• To make a vegan version of this tea, you can use almond or soy milk instead of cow’s milk. You can also use honey or agave nectar in place of the sugar.
• Kashmiri chai is traditionally made with green tea leaves, but you can also use black tea leaves. The flavor of the tea will be slightly different, but it will still be delicious.
• You can use ground cardamom seeds if you don’t have cardamom powder. You can also use freshly ground cloves in place of the powdered form.
• Kashmiri chai is usually made with whole milk, but you can also use 2% or skim milk. The fat content in the milk will affect the flavor and richness of the tea.
• Kashmiri chai is traditionally made on the stovetop, but you can also make it in a microwave. Combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe mug or cup and heat for 2-3 minutes.

Why is my Kashmiri Chai not pink?

When you see a cup of Kashmiri chai, think the tea is pink in color.

Kashmiri chai is green in color.

The pink color comes from the addition of food coloring.

If you want your Kashmiri chai to be pink, add a few drops of red food coloring to the tea.

Nutritional Facts

Serving size: 1 cup

• Calories: 100
• Fat: 2.5 g
• Saturated fat: 0.5 g
• Unsaturated fat: 1 g
• Trans fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg
• Sodium: 70 mg
• Potassium: 190 mg
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Sugar: 15 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Vitamin A: 2%
• Vitamin C: 4%
• Calcium: 6%
• Iron: 1%

Kashmiri chai is a delicious and healthy Indian tea.

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