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20-Minute Kashmiri Chai

20-Minute Kashmiri Chai

This easy, 20-minute Kashmiri Chai recipe provides a delightful pink tea experience, perfect for any occasion.
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Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Indian, Pakistani
Servings 2 mugs
Calories 187 kcal

Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • strainer

Ingredients
  

For Ice Water

  • 1 cup room temperature water
  • 2-3 large ice cubes

For Kashmiri Chai

  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoon Kashmiri chai leaves or substitute with any non-bitter green tea leaves
  • 2 pcs star anise (badiyan)
  • 6-8 pcs green cardamom pods
  • 2 pcs whole cloves optional (loung)
  • 1 " cinnamon stick optional
  • ⅛ teaspoon heaped baking soda
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup half and half See Note 1
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt may need less if using sea salt or to taste
  • 2-2.5 tablespoon sweetener of choice I've tried cane sugar, brown sugar, and date syrup

For Serving (Optional)

  • ½-1 tablespoon raw almonds crushed using mortar and pestle
  • ½ tablespoon unsalted pistachios crushed using mortar and pestle

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Combine room temperature water with 2-3 large ice cubes and set aside.
  • Heat a medium saucepan over high heat. Add water, Kashmiri chai leaves, star anise, green cardamom pods, cloves and cinnamon (if using) and bring to a boil.
  • Once it comes to a boil, add the baking soda. It’ll fizz a little. Allow this mixture to boil over high heat for 5-6 minutes. Occasionally, use a ladle to aerate the tea. The froth in the water will change from pale green to deep pink.
  • Add the prepared ice water (discard the ice cubes), aerate several times to deepen color if desired. Add the milk, half & half, salt, and sweetener. Allow it to come to a light boil, then turn off the heat immediately.
  • Strain the tea into cups and add crushed almonds and pistachios as desired.

Notes

For best results, adjust the quantity of half & half and milk according to your preference. If the tea does not turn pink after adding more baking soda, try different green tea leaves. Discarding the ice cubes prevents diluting the drink.

Nutrition

Serving: 2.5cupsCalories: 187kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 7gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 387mgPotassium: 324mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 412IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 231mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Kashmiri Chai, Noon Chai, Pink Tea
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