Kahwa Chai Story
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Kashmir Haat serves Delhi the authentic Kahwa chai
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Kashmir, the jewel in India’s crown, the paradise on earth, the valley of sufis and saints, the land of sparkling rivers, the splendid gardens, is a very integral part of India’s rich heritage. Kashmir is a multi-faceted diamond, changing its hues with the seasons, always extravagantly beautiful. The crown of the nation is not just soothing to the eyes but also does wonders for your taste. Mouth watering delicacies of Kashmiri food will leave your stomach full but your tongue still craving for more. What’s more is that it’s not just one cuisine from the north that will do this. Kashmir and Leh regions have different cuisines, each to their own and once you try them out you’ll realize why this variety could not have fit one plate at once. Even though Kashmir offers some mesmerizing and lip smacking dishes, Teas are which they are even more fond of. Kashmiris are heavy tea drinkers , it is popular for its special chai, i.e. Kahwa chai.
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Kahwah is usually served to guests or as part of a celebration dinner, festivals, and religious places. Saffron is added to the kahwah for special visitors. It is often served in tiny, shallow cups. Kehwa in Kashmir is also commonly served after wazwan and elaborate family dinners. Over 20 varieties of Kahwah are prepared in different households. Some people also put milk in kahwah (half milk and half kahwah). This chai is also known as "Maugal Chai" by some Kashmiri Pandits from the smaller villages of Kashmir. Kashmiri Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits from the cities of Kashmir refer to it as Kahwah or Quawah. The tea has excellent flavor and aroma. The cardamom flavor comes out the strongest in this tea, which makes for a lovely mild spice. The combination of green tea and spices makes it very unique yet light to sip on. The smell of dry leaves smells leafy, spicy and sweet at the same time. Though all the flavors blend together nicely when brewed, the tea is light and mellow, with cinnamon and cardamom being the dominant spices.
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Kashmiri Haat is a handicraft bazaar created and developed by Kashmiri immigrants in Delhi. They place is a narrow corridor with tiny shopping and food stalls bringing to you the authentic culture straight from Kashmir. Kahwa chai is easily available at the Wazwan restaurant located in the Haat. When asked about the experiences of the owner Mr.Kishor Lal Handu he said “I used to work at NDTV good times with the production team, but it was not enough to feed the family. So when I got to know about government taking initiative to open Kashmir Haat, I consulted my family and opened Wazwan here. People often come here to feel like home and others come to experiment with the food. Mutton korma and Kahwa chai are the most liked things on the menu”. From kashmiri embroidery to delicious cuisines, Kashmiri haat has it all for you!
Price: Rs50
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Where to buy: Wazwan Restaurant
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Location: Kashmir Haat INA, (Opp. Dilli Haat), INA, Delhi – 110023
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Nearest Metro- INA metro station
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Contributed by: - Harnoor Kaur
