Kashmiri chai

These days the quintessential hot beverage is tea. Whether at work, in a relaxing mood or even when dining out, a cup of tea is always refreshing,

Also check out this step by step video tutorial for the Kashmiri Chai Recipe: Tea be it green or black is very popular throughout the world. However few people know that there exists another form of green tea and that is, Kahmiri chai or tea. This pink coloured tea is a traditional beverage of kashmir.

This tea is saltish in flavour unlike black tea which is sweet. Kashmiri tea is aromatized with green cardamom and star anise. Although served without sugar, as mentioned earlier but  could be served with sugar for a sweet and salty chai.

You Can Watch Teatime Treats Here:

After scanning several recipes for Kashmiri chai without baking soda. I have finally come to terms with the fact, that baking soda has to be added, if you want your tea to be bright pink. When buying kashmiri chai keep in mind, don't just buy any green tea look out for Kashmiri tea in Asian shops.

Preparation time: 30 minutes☻      Serves: 3-4 ☻     Skill: easy ☻     Cuisine: Kashmir ☻

Ingredients	Quantiy
water	2 cups + 1/2 cup cold  water
kashmiri tea	1 tbsp
green cardamom	2-3
star anise	1-2 broken into pieces
salt	less than a pinch
baking soda	less than a pinch
milk	as needed

Method

Take a pan, add water, salt, soda and cardamom also add star anise either in powder form or broken in pieces.

Boil for about 15 - 20 minutes until tea starts to attain a pink froth on top. Now add about half cup cold water. Strain the tea.

Start aerating the tea with the help of a ladle. Fill the ladle with tea and pour it back into the pan. This pulling and stretching will eventually lead to a deeper colour. Continue for 1-2 minutes and then add milk.

Cook for about 10 minutes more and tea is ready to serve.
Garnish with finally chopped pistachios or chopped blanched almonds.