Noon chai (), also called Sheer chai (), Namkeen chai (), Kashmiri tea or Pink tea, is a traditional tea beverage, originating in

Kashmir Kashmir () is the northernmost geographical region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term "Kashmir" denoted only the Kashmir Valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal Range. Today, the term encompas ...

. It is made with gunpowder tea (green tea leaves rolled into small balls), milk and baking soda.

Etymology

The word ''noon'' means ' salt' in several Indian languages such as

Kashmiri Kashmiri may refer to: * People or things related to the Kashmir Valley or the broader region of Kashmir * Kashmiris, an ethnic group native to the Kashmir Valley * Kashmiri language, their language People with the name * Kashmiri Saikia Barua ...

, Bengali, Rajasthani, Hindi and

Nepali Nepali or Nepalese may refer to : Concerning Nepal * Anything of, from, or related to Nepal * Nepali people, citizens of Nepal * Nepali language, an Indo-Aryan language found in Nepal, the current official national language and a language spoken ...

. It is used in several other terms, such as the ''noon-dab'' ("salt promise") custom of Rajasthan, where a hand is dipped in salt to signify a solemn promise. Kashmiri Chai

Kashmiri Hindus Kashmiri Hindus are ethnic Kashmiris who practice Hinduism and are native to the Kashmir Valley of India. With respect to their contributions to Indian philosophy, Kashmiri Hindus developed the tradition of Kashmiri Shaivism. After their exodus ...

refer to this Kashmiri tea as "Sheer chai".

Preparation

Noon chai is traditionally made from a type of green tea leaves, milk, salt, baking soda and usually cooked in a '' samavar''. A pinch of baking soda gives it a pronounced pink color. Sugar is not traditionally used in Kashmiri home recipes, although newer commercial preparations in Pakistani restaurants and tea stalls who appropriate Kashmiri cuisine, may include sweeteners. Noon chai is served in Northern India (

Jammu and Kashmir Jammu and Kashmir may refer to: * Kashmir, the northernmost geographical region of the Indian subcontinent * Jammu and Kashmir (union territory), a region administered by India as a union territory * Jammu and Kashmir (state), a region administered ...

) and areas with even small Tibetan population such as Mainpat,

Chhattisgarh Chhattisgarh (, ) is a landlocked state in Central India. It is the ninth largest state by area, and with a population of roughly 30 million, the seventeenth most populous. It borders seven states – Uttar Pradesh to the north, Madhya Prade ...

. In Pakistan, it is often served with sugar and nuts (for non- Kashmiris who are not acquainted with salty tea), at special occasions, weddings, and during the winter months. Noon chai is an essential part of Kashmiri breakfast and supper, It is consumed with various types of traditional bread made in Kashmir. Kashmiri chai or Kashmiri tea is pink, milky and creamy and is usually garnished with a sprinkling of chopped almonds and pistachios. Noon chai is often made by using gunpowder green leaf tea, which is a type of green tea rolled into balls. The gunpowder tea is heated to a high temperate, in which baking soda is added. The baking soda then reacts with the gunpowder tea at a high temperature (usually boiling point) and produces a deep red, maroon colour. This process is typically done two or three times by cooling the mixture by adding ice and then reboiling it, which results in a deep red hue being released from the reaction. When milk is added, it acquires a pink colour. Many shops will not undertake such a labour-intensive process in order to create a red hue, instead using an instant Kashmiri chai mix or just adding red food colouring to imitate the baking soda generated pink colour.

Major Servings

Noon chai is usually served at breakfast time in the Indian-administered Kashmir Valley. People prefer to take tea instead of taking any fruit or vegetable for breakfast. Kashmiri bread is served along with the tea and with butter also. In the month of Holy Ramadan Sheer chai is widely sold and served in Patna, Bihar, notably in the central district of Sabzibagh (= vegetable garden).

References

6. Life of a Notable Kashmiri by Abid Bashir

External links

Traditional noon chai recipe
{{Teas Indian tea Indian cuisine Pakistani cuisine Kashmiri cuisine Indo-Caribbean cuisine Blended tea Tea culture

Etymology

Preparation

Major Servings

See also

References

External links