Being in Kashmir, I have realized that the locals take their tea very seriously. There are so many varieties. This Kashmiri Noon Chai, is a traditional tea and is a staple in their diet. This tea is pink in colour and has a distinct taste to it, very different from the teas we usually have. In Kashmir people consume this tea about 2-3 times everyday. Noon chai is made from special tea leaves, milk, fresh cream, salt, and cooked in a Kashmiri Samaavar. Every Kashmiri home has a samovar. Inside a samovar there is a fire-container in which charcoal and live coals are placed. Around the fire-container there is a space for water to boil with the ingredients of the desired tea. Samovars are not of only one type. Some samovars, in which only one or two cups of tea can be made, are very small. Other samovars, in which hundreds of cups of tea can be made, are very big. Samovars are made of copper or brass. Kashmiri Pink This is great during the winters. They serve the Kashmiri Noon Chai with snacks like the Chok bread during a cold winter evening and in this case after the wedding. Here is a recipe you can try without the addition of the fresh cream at home. Try it out but it is certainly is an acquired taste. Pink Tea Ingredients * 2 teabags Green Tea * 1/3 teaspoon Baking soda * 1/2 teaspoon Salt * 2 Cardamom (Elaichi) Pods/Seeds , crushed seed powder * 2 cups Water * 2 cups Milk Method for Kashmiri Noon Chai Recipe (Pink Tea) 1. Boil 1 cup water and brew tea bags. Then add the baking soda and whisk vigorously for about 10 seconds. 2. Add remaining water and cardamom powder. Brew till tea turns bright red. 4. Now on medium heat, add the milk and whisk it very vigorously to achieve a slight froth. The colour of the tea should now be a lovely dark pink. 5. Adjust milk to colour of your choice. Add the salt and stir well. 6. Pour into a cup and serve the Kashmiri Noon Chai hot.
You can also add grounded almonds and pistatios before serving. Keeping it Shazeats#Mandysway use fat free milk. #tastetestingtraveller #kashmir #kashmiritea #kashmiripinktea #chai #tea #shazeats #mandysway