Every cup begins a conversation.

Host: What do you think about it? Visitor: Yeah, it’s really nice. I can taste the saffron in it. Host: Did you know anything about Kashmiri teas before? Visitor: Yeah, I’ve been to Kashmir a lot of times, so I am aware of good kahwa. Host: How is it compared to that? Visitor: Yeah, it’s nice, it’s nice. It’s really nice. I think better than what you get in the market.

Visitor: It’s good. Host: Have you ever had Kashmiri tea before? Visitor: I’ve tried it before, but this is better. It’s good. I’ve tried it in hotels. It isn’t as authentic there. This tastes quite original. Yes, I’ve tried it in hotels. The tea there doesn’t taste original. This is good. Host: How does it compare with green tea? Visitor: It’s much better than that. What else is in this kahwa? Host: Saffron. Cardamom. Almonds. Cinnamon. Four ingredients.

Visitor: Cinnamon and green cardamom, right? And almond is also there. Host: Almond is there too. What did you think? Visitor: It’s so good. Excellent! It’s waking me up! Opening my eyes! Host: How did you find it? Visitor: It’s good! I’ll definitely recommend it. It’s completely authentic. The flavour, the fragrance, the taste too. I can taste all the ingredients in it— almond and green cardamom. Without tea leaf, the taste is a little different. With tea leaf, it has a different taste. Both have their own taste.

Visitors: Cheers! Nice kahwa. Excellent kahwa. You can feel the aroma— and the taste of saffron too. That’s special. It’s very difficult to find authentic kahwa. I’m so happy I discovered you. I want to keep it for my cultural centre, which is in Old Delhi, and also for my Rajasthan hotel, because people like kahwa. And tell me where to source one of those beautiful— What do you call it? A samovar! We’d love to serve it at our places. It’s so good to taste authentic kahwa. Thank you!

Visitor: It’s really nice. I can taste cardamom and saffron. Visitor: I find it refreshing. Host: Would you recommend it? Visitor: Definitely. One hundred percent.

Visitor: Yes, it’s really good. There are four ingredients. What are the ingredients? Saffron, almonds, cinnamon and cardamom. Visitor: Do you make this kahwa yourselves? Host: Yes, it’s our own recipe. She developed the recipe. Ma: It’s our tradition. I followed that.

Visitor: It’s really nice. Yes. Okay. Very authentic. Host: Since you make it at home, I wanted to know— Visitor: It’s just like that. The purity of the ingredients— I can sense it. So if I’m buying it, I’m not doing anything wrong. A very authentic product. For sure. Host: Would you recommend it? Visitor: Of course. Many people should buy it. They will love it. They’ll have it, taste it, and they’re going to love it.

Host: What do you think? Visitor: It’s different. It’s more like a thandai kind of chai. Is the mix a thandai mix? Host: No, it has saffron and cardamom. Those are in thandai too. That’s why it tastes different. Visitor: It’s nice and warm, but it reminds me of thandai.

Host: How did you find it? Visitor: Good. I’ve had kahwa before. This is much better. Host: It’s our traditional tea. We’ve made it into an instant powder. Visitor: It’s good.

Visitor: I taste almonds. And saffron. Host: Have you had kahwa before? Visitor: Yes. My mother-in-law is from Kashmir. Host: How does it compare? Visitor: It tastes more authentic, I think. It’s richer than what we get in Delhi.

Visitor: It has got good flavours. Very nice and very refreshing.

Host: So what do you think? Visitor: It’s really good. It’s so flavourful. The teas here are way more flavourful than in the United States. I really like that. Host: Would you recommend it? Visitor: Oh, absolutely. Yeah. It’s very good.