Kashmiri Chai

The History of Kashmiri Chai

Kashmiri tea comes from a very particular variety of leaf, found almost exclusively in Kashmir and its surrounding area. Fatima Ali, the chef of the popular food truck Van Pakistan describes it as "not as bitter and more floral than black tea." During British colonization, as chai was becoming popular in India with the introduction of English tea, the Kashmiri population developed its own version, made with the local leaves.
When Partition happened in 1947, and Pakistan and India became separate countries, Kashmir remained a hotly contested area between the two nations. However, as the territorial debate wore on, many Kashmiris ended up settling in Pakistan, as many of them were Muslim, and Pakistan is a majority-Muslim nation. They brought their Kashmiri Chai with them, and soon it became one of the country's most well known drinks.

Chai's Place in Pakistani and Kashmiri Culture

Because of the prized nature of Kashmiri tea leaves, Kashmiri chai was originally just a drink for royals, and even when it trickled down into other echelons of society, it was still mainly consumed at weddings—the most special of occasions for Pakistani and Indian families. But Kashmiri chai is far more mainstream in Pakistan these days; especially, Ali says, as the culture has been slowly embracing the notion of Asian-style luxury. That said, it's still not an everyday tea, more of a special treat "when you have guests over that you want to impress."
Indian-style chai may be trending now, but you'll increasingly find Kashmiri tea leaves in Indian stores across the country. So who knows? Kashmiri chai ice cream could be coming to a city near you. At the very least, it is most definitely coming to VanPakistan. "It's a fascinating type of tea," Ali says. "One of my absolute favorite flavors to use."