Over the past 100 years, the cuisine of Jammu and Kashmir has evolved to a great extent and this has been mainly due to the influence of Pandits that hail from the Hindu Community and the Kashmiri Buddhists from the valley. The cuisines of North India Plains, Persia and Central Asia have also marked their strong influence on the cuisine of this state. Generally, it is seen that articles boast of the dishes of a particular state or region, however they ignore the beverages which form an important part of the cuisine. This article highlights a few refreshing and notable beverages of Jammu and Kashmir which have gained prominence amongst the tourists.

Kahwah

Kahwah is one popular drink that is served at religious places, and during special festivals and marriage fests. This drink is customary made from the ensuing ingredients -

• Green tea
• Walnuts
• Almonds
• Spices
• Saffron

This drink hails its origin from an Arab coffee which was popular in 14th century. This drink has astonishing 20 varieties which are prepared in diverse households. Also called Maugal Chai by the Kashmiri Pandits, some people at times also add milk to alter its taste.

Sheer Chai or Noon Chai

Acknowledged for being heavy tea drinkers, sheer tea or noon tea means salt tea in Kashmiri language. This drink is made with the ensuring ingredients -

• Milk
• Salt
• Green tea and
• Bicarbonate of soda

The tea gets its pinkish color from its unique preparation which uses the addition of bicarbonate of soda. Though the tourists and native people refer to this tea as noon chai, it is popularly called as sheer chai by the Kashmiri Pandits. The tea is relished in breakfast with baqerkhani, popular bread which is freshly brought from bakers or Sufi. This tea is best served in large samovars.

Though every one of us is familiar with ginger tea that is prepared in our homes, yet the special Kashmiri tea which is a fragrant one blended with ginger and cardamom is must have. Trust the fact that it is one of the delightful thirst quenching drink which the tourists ask for. Infact, the natives that prefer drinking Kahwah to settle their stomach upset.

Freighted from high plains, the soft drinks prove to be very costly and to provide an option to this, there is a delectable local brand “Apco” which is an apple juice that proves to be a great change from regular soft drinks. The tourists who wish consuming alcohol can avail this at five star hotels only as there are hardly any liquor shops out there in the state. However, beer is still readily available as compared to other.