Kashmiri Pink Chai Recipe

Introduction

Kashmiri Pink Chai is a delightful and unique tea known for its beautiful pink hue and rich, spiced flavor. This traditional beverage is both comforting and aromatic, perfect for cozy moments or special gatherings.

Ingredients

• 4 cups Water
• 2 tbsp Kashmiri/Himalayan green tea or other green tea
• 1/2 tsp Baking soda
• 1-2 Star anise
• 2 Cardamom pods, crushed
• 1 Cinnamon stick
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 2 cups Whole milk
• Sugar or honey to taste
• Crushed nuts (e.g. almonds) for garnish, optional

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan, add the green tea, and boil for about 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. The water will turn a deep red color. Continue boiling for another 2 minutes.
3. Step 3: Add the star anise, crushed cardamom pods, and cinnamon stick and boil for another minute.
4. Step 4: Reduce the heat and simmer the tea for 20-30 minutes until it reduces to about half its original volume, intensifying the flavor and color.
5. Step 5: Stir in a quarter teaspoon of salt and mix well.
6. Step 6: Add 2 cups of whole milk and increase the heat, bringing the tea to a boil. Stir constantly to avoid burning the milk. As the milk boils, the tea will begin to turn pink.
7. Step 7: Once the chai is a beautiful pink color, remove it from heat. Strain it into cups to remove the spices and tea leaves.
8. Step 8: Sweeten with sugar or honey according to taste. Optionally, garnish with crushed nuts like pistachios or almonds.
9. Step 9: Serve hot and enjoy the unique flavor and comforting warmth of Kashmiri Pink Chai.

Tips & Variations

• Use whole milk for the best creamy texture, or try swapping with almond milk for a lighter, nutty flavor.
• Adjust the amount of baking soda carefully; it helps achieve the pink color but too much can affect the taste.
• For a stronger spice flavor, gently crush the spices before adding to release more aroma.
• Try sweetening with jaggery instead of sugar for a more traditional touch.

Storage

Store any leftover chai in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently over low heat, stirring frequently to avoid curdling. Freshly made pink chai is best enjoyed immediately for the most vibrant color and flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

What gives Kashmiri Pink Chai its unique color?

The baking soda reacts with the green tea during boiling, producing the distinctive pink hue. The slow simmering and addition of milk further enhance this beautiful color.

Can I use regular black tea instead of Kashmiri green tea?

While Kashmiri green tea is traditional and key to achieving the authentic flavor and color, you can experiment with other green teas. Black tea won’t create the same pink color and will result in a different taste.

Kashmiri Pink Chai Recipe

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Kashmiri Pink Chai is a traditional spiced green tea from Kashmir known for its distinct pink hue and rich, aromatic flavor. This creamy tea is brewed with green tea leaves, aromatic spices like star anise, cardamom, and cinnamon, and is simmered with baking soda to develop its unique color. Finished with milk, salt, and sweetener, it is often garnished with crushed nuts for an extra touch of indulgence. Perfect for a comforting warm beverage, this recipe takes about an hour from start to finish and offers a beautifully fragrant and flavorful cup.

• Author: Lena
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Beverage
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Kashmiri
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

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Tea Base

• 4 cups Water
• 2 tbsp Kashmiri/Himalayan green tea or other green tea
• 1/2 tsp Baking soda
• 1–2 Star anise
• 2 Cardamom pods, crushed
• 1 Cinnamon stick
• 1/4 tsp Salt

Final Ingredients

• 2 cups Whole milk
• Sugar or honey to taste
• Crushed nuts (e.g. almonds or pistachios) for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Boil the Tea: Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Add 2 tablespoons of Kashmiri or Himalayan green tea leaves and boil for about 5 minutes to extract flavor.
2. Add Baking Soda: Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. This causes a chemical reaction that turns the tea water a deep red color. Continue boiling for another 2 minutes to develop this color and flavor.
3. Add Spices: Add 1-2 star anise, 2 crushed cardamom pods, and 1 cinnamon stick. Boil the mixture for an additional minute to infuse the spice aromas.
4. Simmer and Reduce: Lower the heat to a simmer and continue cooking the tea for 20-30 minutes until the liquid reduces to about half its original volume. This concentrates the flavors and deepens the hue.
5. Season with Salt: Stir in 1/4 teaspoon of salt and mix thoroughly to balance the flavors.
6. Add Milk and Bring to Boil: Pour in 2 cups of whole milk and increase heat. Stir constantly to prevent milk from burning. Bring the chai to a boil; during this process, the tea will change from dark red to a beautiful pink shade.
7. Strain and Sweeten: Remove the tea from heat and strain it into cups, removing tea leaves and spices. Sweeten with sugar or honey to your taste.
8. Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with crushed nuts like almonds or pistachios. Serve the Kashmiri Pink Chai hot and enjoy its unique, comforting flavor.

Notes

• Using baking soda is key to achieving the distinct pink color by altering the pH of the tea.
• Simmering the tea for an extended time intensifies the flavor and color; do not rush this step.
• Whole milk is recommended for a rich, creamy texture, but you may substitute with plant-based milk if desired, though color and flavor may vary.
• Adjust sweetness to your preference with sugar or honey.
• Garnishing with nuts adds a traditional and textural element but is optional.
• Ensure to stir continuously when boiling milk to avoid curdling or burning.

Keywords: Kashmiri Pink Chai, pink tea, Kashmiri tea, spiced green tea, traditional Indian tea, pink milk tea, Himalayan tea, star anise tea