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Home » Chai » Kashmiri Chai Recipe (Pink Tea)

Mar 29, 2017 · Modified: Nov 2, 2020 by Mariam Sodawater · This post may contain affiliate links. 76 Comments

Kashmiri Chai Recipe (Pink Tea)

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4.97 from 27 votes
pink tea recipe

Kashmiri Chai or Pink tea recipe with a detailed illustration. Like many, I also came across this tea for the first time at one of the weddings. Getting a good Kashmiri tea in Karachi could be difficult and I had to go really far to get it. So making my own as per my taste was a quest.

pink tea recipe

In order to develop a deep pink color naturally, I did three attempts. The pink or gulabi color that developed in the third attempt was worth it. I have tried to give a detailed pictorial step by step so you can make it on the first try.

Many people complain Kashmiri pink tea is just like 'badaam pista doodh' or 'hareera'. That is because many restaurants serve a very milky Kashmiri tea. The Kashmiri tea with less milk has a more intense Kashmiri tea flavor and warmth. So I like my homemade Kashmiri tea more than what is served at 'dhabba' or cafe.

Kashmiri tea has very low-caffeine like other green tea compared to black tea. So doesn't hinder your sleep like black tea or chai.

What more? It is quite nutritious and rich in milk, cream, nuts, and spices. Some people call it healthy for its nutritional richness but I feel it is quite dense in calories and not great for regular consumption if you want to lose weight.

Kashmir and Pink Kashmiri tea

Kashmir is heaven on earth and their culture, jewelry, and food all are fascinating. Even the Kashmiri people are very hospitable and beautiful.

In the authentic Kashmiri tea, salt is added and it is called noon chai. But some non-Kashmiri people in my city (Karachi) add both salt and sugar so it's up to you. In Kashmir, where the temperature drops below zero degrees they add cream and butter along with powdered dry fruits to the tea. This makes this tea ideal for winters as it is filling and body warming. In my city, the temperature hardly goes below 10 degrees so we enjoy it without fats (like cream and butter) and with little dry fruits. So you adjust that too as per weather in your city.

kashmiri tea recipe

Tips for beginners

The pink color in Kashmiri tea is the reaction of chlorophyll present in tea. So basically you have to cook the tea enough to get all the chlorophyll released into the water. You also need a little baking soda in tea to accelerate the reaction. A pinch is enough. Do NOT add more than that as too much baking soda can spoil the taste.

Kashmiri Tea not turning pink

This process of cooking pink might take place in 30 minutes and sometimes may need 45  minutes. If all water has evaporated and still you don't get a reddish color then add more water and cook more. Once the reaction has completed and we have a deep red color. We have to add ice-cold water. This shocks the tea and we get deeper red color.

I'm trying to explain this so you can handle it if something goes wrong.  Like normal chai you can adjust the milk, sugar, and spices to your taste. I added only two spices but you can add more or none at all.

Can I make Kashmiri Tea with Green Tea?

Yes! you can make it with green tea too. Use good quality pure green tea. The cooking might be longer up to 1 hour until you see desired maroon color in Kehwa.

How to make it?

Add other spices in kashmiri tea.

Take water and add Kashmiri tea leaves. Add cardamom.

Add salt to pink tea.

salt, cinnamon and bring it to boil.

Add baking soda to kashmiri tea.

Add ⅛ teaspoon of baking soda, you can skip baking soda if you decide to cook longer for 45-60 minutes.

Boil kashmiri tea.

Let it boil on medium flame.

The color has begin to change boil further.

The color changes. Continue boiling.

Pink color of kashmiri tea is developing.

You can see a slight pink color at this stage but keeping cooking,

Check the deeper pink color of kashmiri tea.

The water is reduced to half. And the color is deep red.

Add icy cold water to kashmiri tea.

Add icy cold water. And mix well for 1 minute.

A lovely pink tea kahwa.

Kehwa of Kashmiri tea is ready. You can strain and after cooling you store in fridge at this stage.

Add milk to kashmiri tea.

When you wish to make the tea add milk about ½ cup or more for each serving,

add sugar to kashmiri chai.

A beautiful pink color is visible. Add sugar 1 teaspoon for each serving.( Add only if you like it sweet, authentic Kashmiri tea is saltish and not sweet.)

Tea the kashmiri pink tea simmer.

Boil for another few minutes. Strain and add ¼ teaspoon pistachio and ¼ teaspoon almond in each serving. Serve hot.

kashmiri tea recipe

Hungry for more tea? Check these!

  • Chocolate Chai / Milk Tea
  • Orange Peel Tea
  • Ginger Chai / Milk Tea
  • Ginger Tumeric Lemon green tea

If you like the pink tea recipe is your favorite? I'd LOVE to hear your feedback in the comments. Your 5-ratings motivate me to do my best. Stay connected for more recipes and videos on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Youtube.

pink tea recipe

Kashmiri Chai Recipe (Pink Tea)

A hearty and delicious tea that is meant to sipped slowly in winter nights.
4.97 from 27 votes
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Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings : 4
Calories: 178kcal
Author: Mariam Sodawater
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 3 tablespoon kashmiri tea leaves
  • 9 green cardamom, ,crushed ( choti elaichi)
  • 3 inch cinnamon, ,broken into chip (dal cheeni)
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛- 1⁄4 teaspoon baking soda, (khane ka soda)
  • 1 cup cold water, (pani)
  • 3 to 4 tablespoon sugar, (cheeni),( optional, since sugar is not added in Kashmiri tea but some non kashmiri people like it sweet.)
  • 2 cup milk for strong or 3 cup milk for light, (dhood)
  • ½ cup cream, optional
  • 1 tablespoon grounded pistachios, (pista), optional
  • 1 tablespoon grounded almonds, (badaam), optional
  • * For authentic taste and aroma use Kashmiri tea. If not available use pure green tea leaves can also be used.

Other variations ( in some regions these ingredients are also added)

  • 4 jasmine flowers, (chambeli)
  • 1 star anise, (badyaan phool)
  • 4 cloves, (laung)

Instructions

  • In a wide based skillet, take water, Kashmiri tea leaves, salt and cardamom, cinnamon.
  • Bring it boil and let it boil for a minute. Now add baking soda.
  • Cook more till you get deep red color and water is reduced to half. (20-30 minutes)
  • Add ice cold water in boiling hot tea. Mix well for 1 minutes.
  • Kehwa is ready. You can strain, cool and store in fridge for 3-4 days.
  • When making tea add milk, sugar (if using) and powdered dry fruits to kehwa.
  • Cook for another 2-3 minutes and serve. Garnish with more nuts.

Notes

Update :For best results use Kashmiri tea, if you don't have Kashmiri tea, you can use green tea instead, but in my personal experience green tea does give a very similar taste to kashmiri tea but fails to give pink color. Although, you can add pink food color. But that is a fix and not authentic way.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 178kcal ,Carbohydrates: 15g ,Protein: 2g ,Fat: 13g ,Saturated Fat: 7g ,Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g ,Monounsaturated Fat: 4g ,Cholesterol: 34mg ,Sodium: 4026mg ,Potassium: 125mg ,Fiber: 2g ,Sugar: 10g ,Vitamin A: 448IU ,Vitamin C: 1mg ,Calcium: 60mg ,Iron: 1mg
Mention @Recipe52 or tag #Loverecipe52!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kashmir Online Store says

    November 23, 2018 at 12:42 am

    We Make Daily Non Chie as This Is Our Traditional Tea and I personally Love your thoughts

    Reply
    • Tariq awan says

      January 08, 2021 at 5:42 pm

      Aoa.
      Would you give me your 10 minutes on a phone call pls?
      #0324-5318448
      It want to learn from your experience..!

      Reply
      • Recipe 52 says

        January 08, 2021 at 6:21 pm

        Wasalam, I not comfortable sharing my personal number. Kindly, ask any queries here only.

        Reply
      • Recipe 52 says

        January 08, 2021 at 6:31 pm

        You can email me at [email protected] for any detailed query.

        Reply
  2. brinacyl says

    August 20, 2018 at 6:24 am

    thanks for a detailed recipe ? also don't let haters like Sikh de motivate you. you're doing a great job!

    Reply
    • Recipe 52 says

      August 20, 2018 at 6:51 am

      Thanks for the lovely comment Brinacyl. You’ve really made my day. ?

      Reply
  3. Sikh says

    July 15, 2018 at 2:11 am

    Sorry but it’s Indian Cuisine since Kashmir is in India so please correct it

    Reply
    • Recipe 52 says

      July 15, 2018 at 8:15 am

      Hi Sikh, Kashmir is on both sides of border. I haven’t been to Indian Kashmir, I don’t know about their tea. Anyway, cuisine on both sides of border is similar with few variations. Have a nice weekend.

      Reply
  4. Khalid says

    July 13, 2018 at 10:51 pm

    I just read your article of kashmiri pink tea, This is very unfortunate that without knowing the reality, you make a story of pink tea( kashmiri tea)
    I am a Kashmiri guy, and I work in Tea company in assam, Let me clear you some points.
    1. Pink tea or kashmiri tea in local language it is noon chai, and in this tea no one is adding sugar, it ia Salt based tea, every kashmiri person having this tea with salt, if you are not liking salt, and adding sugar then this is not Noon chai.
    2. You are adding soda, you can add it, to save the gas bill, or electricty bill, there is no need to add soda, you have to boil it for longer time.
    3. There is no need of add other things.

    What is kashmiri tea:
    Just boil green Tea, it will take you minimum 45 minutes or more to boil, till the water color will be dark brown, then add milk according to thinkness of the tea, the color of the tea will be pink, and then just add salt.... Kashmiri tea is ready.....

    Thank you.
    If you have any doubt, mail me at
    [email protected]

    Reply
    • Recipe 52 says

      August 20, 2018 at 5:06 pm

      Thanks for shading light.
      I had already mentioned point number one in the post.For sugar, I had already mentioned above the recipe that in authentic Kashmiri tea sugar is not added. But to further clarity, I'm now adding that point to recipe card as well.In my city it is common to have it with sugar.
      Soda helps speed up the process, and the recipe comes from another Kashmiri like you. I'll test again to see if sodaless version works.
      I agree adding other spices is up to everyone's taste.
      Thanks for the recipe. But boiling green doesn't work for me.

      Reply
      • Tariq awan says

        January 03, 2021 at 10:29 pm

        Here for me. By having first ever experience , green tea comes at pink colour after 30minutes, without having soda.. I got it🤗

        Reply
        • Recipe 52 says

          January 03, 2021 at 10:32 pm

          Amazing! Without soda it is best. Your green tea must be good quality.

          Reply
  5. hal says

    July 04, 2018 at 6:08 pm

    Thank you for the detailed steps and pictures. I think I followed them but didn't get the pink colour. It matched the pictures till the kehwa stage but not after adding milk. I thought it was still drinkable. Will try again with less baking soda. Could it be that there was too much tea? Btw, used pure organic green tea, so that's a difference too.

    Thanks again for the pictures.

    Reply
    • Recipe 52 says

      July 04, 2018 at 6:36 pm

      If it tasted well and had a tinge of pink then you were quite close. I used Kashmiri tea leaves in pictorial. Try to use Kashmiri leaves for best result.
      If it tastes well adding a little pink color is also ok, since many restaurants and caterers do it.

      Reply
  6. anneta says

    June 05, 2018 at 3:34 am

    it didnt worked for me , tastes and smells of baking soda , undrinkable , could not be more worst

    Reply
    • Recipe 52 says

      June 05, 2018 at 3:57 am

      Oh! It’s really sad. If you got the pink color right. Then, try again reducing the baking soda to ⅛ teaspoon. I’m really sorry that it disappointed you.

      Reply
  7. Anonymous says

    May 27, 2018 at 12:48 pm

    Been searching for a Recipe for ages that actually worked, thank you so much

    Reply
    • Recipe 52 says

      May 27, 2018 at 1:39 pm

      I’m glad it is helpful. Thanks

      Reply
  8. Vishal Khot says

    May 22, 2018 at 3:55 pm

    thank you for the recipe, it was really delicious.

    Reply
  9. Diana says

    April 22, 2018 at 1:43 am

    Hi, do you know where to purchase Kashmiri tea leaves in the US? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Aurangzeb Ali says

      January 13, 2019 at 8:25 pm

      Go to any Indian/ gujarati store. These are huge cheap supermarket like stores found in more rundown areas
      But have access to herbs and stuff u would actually pay the price of gold if ordered online
      Gujarati stores seem to bulk up all foods from all parts of India including Kashmir

      Reply
      • Recipe 52 says

        January 13, 2019 at 9:34 pm

        Thanks for the info! ?

        Reply
  10. Anonymous says

    April 21, 2018 at 5:23 am

    It is a great recipe and great step by step instructions but I'm not cut out for cooking because I even messed this one up ? but thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
    • Recipe 52 says

      April 21, 2018 at 11:27 am

      Ooh! Try again. Kashmiri tea is tricky, in second attempt you’ll do better.

      Reply
  11. Andy says

    April 20, 2018 at 6:04 am

    Thank you for this recipe! Yum!

    Reply
    • Recipe 52 says

      April 20, 2018 at 5:22 pm

      Thanks for the feedback.
      ???

      Reply
  12. Ali says

    March 10, 2018 at 6:22 pm

    Thx from US for the step by step recipe and especially the pictures. Craving for Kashmiri tea my mom used to make but my wife didn't know the recipe

    Reply
    • Recipe 52 says

      March 10, 2018 at 6:24 pm

      Thanks for a lovely feedback. It's a tricky thing and I tried my best to be detailed in this recipe. Good Luck!

      Reply
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Hi, I’m a Mariam Sodawater, a passionate home chef dedicated to sharing authentic South Asian taste with simple recipes and easy-to-find ingredients. My motto is EASY, HEALTHY, and FRUGAL food. Home cooking can be fun and therapeutic!

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