Kashmiri pink tea is different from regular tea and is made by boiling green tea, milk, different spices and ice-cold water rigorously. Salt and baking soda are mandatory ingredients of it. It is very easy to make Kashmiri pink tea at home, though it takes a bit more time to make than regular tea. Go through my simple recipe to learn the steps.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Kashmiri pink tea is very different from regular tea and is widely consumed in the Northern region of India.
- Serve it as is or with biscuits and toast.
- Kashmiri pink tea tastes slightly spicy, salty, and earthy.
- Other similar recipes are masala chai, elaichi chai, and plain milk tea.
The Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp green tea
- 4 cups water (ice cold)
- 10 pods green cardamom (split)
- 1 piece star anise (optional)
- 2 pieces cinnamon (inch-size sticks, optional)
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1.5 cup milk
- 2 tsp sugar
Once I attended a parenting workshop in December where I chanced to meet a guest speaker. We were all having tea in the cold evening when she told us about this unique tea. She said it is very good to taste and can even keep cold away. I was intrigued and asked for the recipe. She narrated it to me in detail, and I recorded it in my phone.
I prepared the tea at home the following evening. My husband found it thoughtful, and the boys loved its flavor. Now, this is our wellness-week beverage. It reminds me how advice meant for parenting sometimes ends up helping in the kitchen too—where care, health, and love blend into every spoon.
How to Make Kashmiri Pink Tea? (Step by Step Guide with Images)
Step 1: Heat 2 cups of ice-cold water in a saucepan on a medium to high flame and put 10 pods of green cardamom (split), 1 piece of star anise (optional), and 2 pieces of cinnamon (inch-sized sticks, optional) in it. When you see bubbles in the water, add 3 tbsp of green tea to it. When the tea starts boiling, add ½ tsp of baking soda to it. When the bubbles subside, add ¼ tsp of salt to it as well.
Step 2: Now, stir the tea as shown and cook it until the amount reduces to less than half and the tea becomes thicker and darker in color.
Step 3: At this stage, add 2 cups of ice-cold water to it again. Stir and cook it in the same way until it reduces to half of the quantity. Then again, add 2 cups of water and cook it to reduce to two cups of tea, finally.
Step 4: Strain the tea (kahwa) in a teapot. Keep it aside.
Step 5: In another saucepan, heat 1.5 cups of milk on a medium to high flame and add 2 tsp of sugar in it. Stir and cook it so that the milk becomes foamy. When done, add the tea (kahwa) you have made earlier. Mix well and bring it to a boil.
Step 6: Your homemade Kashmiri pink tea is ready. Pour it hot in a cup to serve.
Step 7: Garnish it with chopped pistachios and almonds. Enjoy!
Recipe Card
Kashmiri Pink Tea
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp green tea
- 4 cups water ice cold
- 10 pods green cardamom split
- 1 piece star anise optional
- 2 pieces cinnamon inch-size sticks, optional
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1.5 cup milk
- 2 tsp sugar
Instructions
- Heat 2 cups of ice-cold water in a saucepan on a medium to high flame and put 10 pods of green cardamom (split), 1 piece of star anise (optional), and 2 pieces of cinnamon (inch-size sticks, optional) in it. When you see bubbles in the water, add 3 tbsp of green tea in it. When the tea starts boiling add ½ tsp of baking soda to it. When the bubbles subside, add ¼ tsp of salt to it as well.
- Now, stir the tea as shown and cook it until the amount reduces to less than half and the tea become thicker and darker in color.
- At this stage, add 2 cups of ice-cold water to it again. Stir and cook it in the same way until it reduces to half of the quantity. Then again add 2 cups of water and cook it to reduce to two cups of tea, finally.
- Strain the tea (kahwa) in a tea pot. Keep it aside.
- In another saucepan, heat 1.5 cups of milk on a medium to high flame and add 2 tsp of sugar in it. Stir and cook it so that the milk becomes foamy. When done, add the tea (kahwa) you have made earlier. Mix well and bring it to a boil.
- Your homemade Kashmiri pink tea is ready. Pour it hot in a cup to serve.
- Garnish it with chopped pistachios and almonds. Enjoy!
