Kashmiri Kehwa (Kahwa): The Traditional Saffron Tea of Kashmir

Ask anyone who has visited Kashmir what they remember drinking, and kehwa (also spelled kahwa) usually comes up first. This isn't just green tea with saffron thrown in — it's a specific, centuries-old blend with its own ratio of spices, its own brewing method, and a place in nearly every Kashmiri household gathering.

What Is Kehwa, Exactly?

Kashmiri kehwa is a green tea base infused with saffron strands, crushed almonds, and warming spices — typically cinnamon and cardamom, sometimes cloves. It's traditionally brewed in a samovar, a metal urn with a central charcoal chamber that keeps the tea hot for hours during long winter gatherings. The saffron gives it its golden colour and the almonds add a subtle richness that separates kehwa from an ordinary spiced tea.

Kehwa vs Kahwa vs Kashmiri Tea

These are all names for the same drink — kehwa and kahwa are simply different transliterations of the same Kashmiri word, and "Kashmiri tea" is often used as a catch-all by people outside the region. If you see any of these terms on a product label, you're looking at the same core drink.

How It's Traditionally Made

A basic kehwa is prepared by steeping green tea leaves with a few saffron strands, a couple of crushed cardamom pods, and a small piece of cinnamon in hot water for several minutes, then straining and topping with slivered almonds. Sugar or honey is added to taste, and some households add a few crushed rose petals for fragrance. Pre-mixed kehwa blends, like our Kashmiri Shahi Kehwa, take the guesswork out of getting the ratios right — just steep and strain.

When It's Served

Kehwa is a fixture of Kashmiri hospitality — served to guests as a welcome drink, poured at weddings and family gatherings, and sipped through the day in colder months as both a warming drink and a digestive aid after heavy meals.

Health Angle

Beyond its warmth and flavour, kehwa is often reached for as a light, low-calorie alternative to milk tea, and the combination of green tea, saffron, and warming spices is a traditional pairing many people associate with digestion and everyday wellness — though as with any tea, it's not a substitute for medical advice.

Try It Yourself

If you've only had kehwa at a restaurant or as a novelty, it's worth trying the real, saffron-forward version at home. Our Shahi Kehwa blend is crafted with the valley's saffron, crushed almonds, and traditional spices, so all you need is hot water and a few minutes.