What is inside
What is inside Kashmiri Chai?
Kashmiri Chai is a pink, creamy tea with almonds and pistachios. Here is what is inside it, layer by layer, and why each one is there.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 2 min read
Layers
5 in all
Key ingredient
Green tea leaf
Heat
None
Served
Hot, creamy
The 5 layers of Kashmiri Chai
Kashmiri Chai is built from 5 parts. They are listed in the order you meet them, and the numbers match the diagram.
The tea
A particular type of green tea leaf, simmered for a long time in water until the liquor turns deep red-brown.
The pink reaction
A tiny pinch of baking soda, and repeated pouring of the tea from a height, give the brew its distinctive rose colour.
The milk
Hot milk, sometimes with a little cream, stirred in to turn the deep red tea soft pink.
The sweetness and spice
Sugar or, in the traditional version, salt, and a touch of cardamom. Cafe versions are sweet and aromatic.
The nuts
Chopped almonds and pistachios, scattered on top, that add a soft crunch and a green and white finish.
01
What it is made of
Kashmiri chai relies on technique more than ingredients. The tea is boiled long and aerated by pouring, and the baking soda reaction gives the pink colour that makes it famous.
- Green tea leaves
- Milk
- Baking soda (a pinch)
- Sugar or salt
- Cardamom
- Almonds
- Pistachios
02
How the layers work together
Mellow, creamy and lightly sweet, with a gentle tea flavour, fragrant cardamom and a nutty finish. It is much softer than a strong masala chai.
03
Where it comes from
Kashmiri chai, also called noon chai or sheer chai, comes from the Kashmir valley. The traditional version is salted and drunk at breakfast, while the sweet, nut-topped version is what most cafes and restaurants serve.
04
Variations and other names
There are a few Kashmiri teas:
- Noon chai: the traditional salted pink tea.
- Sheer chai: the sweet, creamy version.
- Kahwa: a milk-free green tea with saffron, spices and almonds.
- Pink chai: a general name used on cafe menus.
05
How to eat it
Sip it slowly while hot, and eat the nuts with a spoon. It pairs well with a buttered bun or a plain biscuit.
06
Kashmiri Chai at Tapri Chai
Kashmiri Chai is $4.99 CAD on our menu. We make it in a 100% vegetarian kitchen at 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Barrhaven, Ottawa, open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm, closed Mondays.
Questions, answered.
What is Kashmiri Chai made of?
Kashmiri Chai is made of green tea leaves, milk, baking soda (a pinch), sugar or salt, cardamom, almonds and pistachios.
How many layers does Kashmiri Chai have?
Traditionally 5: the tea, the pink reaction, the milk, the sweetness and spice and the nuts.
Is Kashmiri Chai vegetarian?
Yes. The traditional recipe is vegetarian, and every dish at Tapri Chai is vegetarian.
Is Kashmiri Chai spicy?
There is no heat. It is mild and aromatic.
Where can I try Kashmiri Chai in Ottawa?
At Tapri Chai, 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Barrhaven, Ottawa. Kashmiri Chai is $4.99 CAD on our menu.
At Tapri Chai
Taste it for yourself.
Our kitchen in Barrhaven is 100% vegetarian. 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Ottawa. Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm. Closed Mondays.