Monsoon and tea go hand in hand, and with heavy rain outside, our craving for a hot cup of tea becomes more intense than ever. Perfectly brewed tea relaxes us from within and helps us enjoy the rhythmic rain even more. But if you pay attention, you will find that people have different preferences when it comes to tea. While some like strong masala tea, others like first-flush tea without milk or sugar. Then there are options according to region and state – in Hyderabad, people are fond of Irani tea, while Kashmiris enjoy their Kahwa all year round. Amidst so much variety, we have often seen people getting confused between Kahwa and Masala Chai, especially tea made without milk.
While we agree that the use of common spices may confuse you, there are a lot of differences between the two if you look carefully. Today, we will tell you about some of these differences, which will end your confusion forever. But before that, let us know the basic similarities between both the beverages.
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What are the similarities between Kashmiri Kahwa and Masala Chai?
Kahwa has its roots in Kashmir, while masala chai is a very popular drink in different parts of India. If you try both the beverages together, you will notice two major similarities – in terms of spices and health benefits.
Similarity 1: Spices
Both Kahwa and Masala Chai make rich use of cinnamon and cardamom. In both recipes, these spices add a rich aroma and sweet taste to the tea.
Similarity 2: Health Benefits
Both drinks are considered good for health due to the use of healthy spices in the dishes. They help boost immunity, keep you warm and prevent many seasonal infections. Additionally, these hot drinks are rich in antioxidants that help keep the gut healthy and allow your body to function smoothly.
Also read: How to make Kashmiri Kahwa tea for good immunity and weight loss
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Kashmiri Kahwa Vs. Masala Tea: Know the difference:
1. Uses of Tea Leaves:
While masala chai is usually made from tea powder or CTC tea, Kahwa includes green tea for its crystal-clear color. This makes the latter a bit lighter and healthier in nature.
2. Wine Making Process:
Masala tea is prepared using two processes. You can either boil the whole spices in water and then add the tea leaves, or make tea and add the ground spices to it. Kahwa (or kehwa), on the other hand, is traditionally prepared in a samovar – a unique brass vessel with a “fire container” running through a central cavity. This helps the tea remain hot continuously.
3. Ingredients:
While cinnamon and cardamom are similar, both teas use various other ingredients that make them very different from each other. While chai masala is usually prepared with cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaves, cloves, nutmeg, ginger etc., Kahwa makes abundant use of saffron, almonds and rose petals in addition to the usual cardamom, cinnamon and cloves.
4. Taste:
Due to the use of CTC tea, masala chai is stronger than its fancy counterparts. Whereas Kahwa is light, aromatic and helps warm you up instantly due to the use of green tea.
Now that you’re aware of the basic differences between teas, how about making yourself a cup and enjoying the season? Here are masala chai and kahwa recipes for you.
