· By ODM Masala
Kashmiri Kahwa Recipe: Saffron Cinnamon Green Tea in 10 Min
Quick answer: Kashmiri kahwa is a light green tea simmered with cinnamon, green cardamom and a few strands of saffron, then served with sliced almonds and a little honey or sugar. It takes about 10 minutes, needs no milk, and the cinnamon stick is what gives it that warm, sweet, woody aroma.
Kahwa (also spelled kehwa or qehwa, and sometimes called Kashmiri green tea or kahwa chai) is the everyday welcome drink of Kashmir, poured from a brass samovar on cold mornings and after heavy meals. Dalchini is simply the Hindi name for cinnamon, and choti elaichi is green cardamom. If you have these two whole spices at home, you are most of the way to a proper cup.
What Do You Need for Kashmiri Kahwa?
This makes 2 cups. Keep the spices whole: crushed or powdered spices turn the tea cloudy and gritty.
- 2 cups water
- 1 piece ODM Cinnamon (dalchini stick), about 2 inches
- 3 to 4 ODM Green Cardamom pods, lightly cracked
- 2 cloves (optional, for a deeper warmth)
- 6 to 8 strands saffron
- 1 tsp loose green tea leaves (or 1 green tea bag)
- 6 to 8 ODM Almonds, thinly sliced
- Honey or sugar, to taste
- A few dried rose petals (optional)
How Do You Make Kahwa Step by Step?
- Soak the saffron. Put the strands in 1 tbsp warm water and keep aside while you start the tea.
- Simmer the spices. Add water, the cinnamon stick, cracked cardamom and cloves to a pan. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes so the water turns pale gold and smells of dalchini.
- Add the tea. Turn off the heat, add the green tea leaves and cover. Let it steep for 1 to 2 minutes only.
- Strain. Strain into cups or a kettle. Remove the cinnamon stick; you can rinse and dry it for one more use.
- Finish. Stir in the saffron water, sweeten with honey or sugar, and top each cup with sliced almonds and a couple of rose petals.
Why Does My Kahwa Taste Bitter or Flat?
These are rough home-kitchen fixes, not fixed rules. Every brand of green tea behaves a little differently.
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Bitter taste | Green tea boiled or steeped too long | Add tea only after turning off the heat; steep 1 to 2 minutes |
| Weak, watery flavour | Spices not simmered long enough | Simmer cinnamon and cardamom for a full 5 minutes before adding tea |
| Cloudy tea | Powdered spices used | Use whole cinnamon sticks and cracked pods, then strain |
| Little aroma | Old or stale spices | Use fresh whole spices stored airtight |
How Is Kahwa Different From Regular Masala Chai?
- Tea: kahwa uses green tea; masala chai uses black tea.
- Milk: kahwa has none; chai is boiled with milk.
- Spices: kahwa leans on cinnamon, cardamom and saffron; chai usually adds ginger and pepper too.
- Finish: kahwa is topped with almonds; chai is served plain.
If you love a milky cup, try our laung wali chai recipe instead. For more ways to cook with the stick itself, read how to use cinnamon sticks in Indian cooking.
Which Cinnamon Works Best for Kahwa?
A clean, sweet-smelling stick matters more than anything else here, because kahwa has so few ingredients that a dusty or harsh spice shows straight away. ODM Dalchini is true cinnamon, sourced to avoid cassia adulterants, so the aroma stays soft and sweet rather than sharp. Our cardamom is handpicked for vibrant colour with no artificial colour added, and our almonds are hand-sorted whole kernels with no chemical polishing. Not sure how to tell good cinnamon from cassia? Our dalchini buying guide walks you through it.
FAQ
What is kahwa in English?
Kahwa is usually called Kashmiri green tea or spiced green tea in English. It is green tea simmered with cinnamon, green cardamom and saffron, served without milk.
Can I make kahwa without green tea?
Yes. Simmer just the cinnamon, cardamom and saffron and serve it as a caffeine-free spiced water. It will be lighter in body but keeps the same aroma.
Can I use cinnamon powder instead of a stick?
You can use a small pinch in a pinch, but the tea will turn cloudy and slightly gritty. A whole stick gives a clear, golden cup and is easy to strain out.
For a fragrant cup this winter, brew your next kahwa with ODM Cinnamon sticks.