In Kashmir, guests are welcomed with a cup of kahwa – a warm, golden, fragrant drink of saffron and spices. It is served after meals, at weddings and through the long, cold winters, traditionally poured from a brass or copper kettle called a samovar. The good news: you don’t need a samovar to enjoy it. Here is how to make kahwa at home in about 10 minutes.
What is Kashmiri kahwa?
Kahwa is a light, aromatic drink made by gently brewing whole spices such as saffron, green cardamom and cinnamon, often with rose petals. It is usually served without milk, sweetened with honey or sugar, and topped with thinly sliced almonds.
Ingredients (for 2 cups)
- 2 cups water
- 2 teaspoons Gold Strong Kashmiri Kahwa (or as directed on the pack)
- 4–5 strands of Kashmiri saffron (optional, for extra colour and aroma)
- 1–2 teaspoons Kashmiri White Solai Honey, or sugar, to taste
- 4–5 Mamra almonds, thinly sliced
Method
- Soak the saffron. Put the saffron strands in 1 tablespoon of warm water and keep aside.
- Boil the water. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan.
- Add the kahwa. Add the kahwa blend, lower the flame and let it simmer gently for 3–4 minutes. You will see the water turn golden and smell the cardamom and cinnamon.
- Rest. Switch off the flame, add the soaked saffron with its water, cover and let it rest for 2 minutes.
- Strain and sweeten. Strain into cups. Let it cool for a minute, then stir in honey. (Adding honey to warm rather than boiling-hot drinks keeps its delicate flavour.)
- Garnish. Top with sliced almonds and serve hot.
Tips for the perfect cup
- Don’t over-boil. Simmering for too long can make kahwa slightly bitter.
- Adjust the strength. Use a little more kahwa for a stronger cup, or less for a lighter one.
- Serve it fresh. Kahwa tastes best right after it is made.
- Make it festive. For guests, serve kahwa in small cups with a few extra saffron strands and almond slices on top.
When to enjoy kahwa
Kashmiri families enjoy kahwa after a heavy meal, on cold mornings and evenings, and whenever guests arrive. It also makes a thoughtful gift – a jar of kahwa with a small box of saffron is a lovely way to share a taste of Kashmir with family and friends.
Gold Strong Kashmiri Kahwa
Our Kashmiri Kahwa is a ready blend of saffron, cardamom, cinnamon and rose petals, so you get the traditional taste without measuring every spice. It is FSSAI certified and available in 100g and 200g jars, with cash on delivery across India.
