Kashmiri Man Serves Sixteen Ingredients Of Kehwa At Floating Waters Of Dal Lake

As the valley is witnessing sub-zero temperature, a man from Srinagar is offering Kehwa in a shikara at the floating waters of Dal Lake in the early cold morning.

In winters, when people fear to venture out of their homes due to the bone chilling cold, Mushtaq Hussain Akhoon, popularly known as Mushtaq Kehwa while many call others call him Kashmir¡¯s ¡®Kehwa Man¡¯ is seen with his traditional Kashmiri samovar (kettle) and serving Kehwa among its lovers.

Mushtaq Akhoon

Kashmiri Kehwa tea is one of the most beneficial teas since it enhances our overall immune system, strengthens our heart, improves skin health, improves digestion and is also rich in antioxidants. Due to its rich ingredients, the tea also helps in detoxification and is an excellent remedy for cold.

Work starts at 7 in the morning

Mushtaq told Indiatimes that he comes to serve the people and tourists in the early morning.

¡°I come sharp at 7 am at the Dal Lake¡¯s floating market. I come there every day whatever the situation is, especially when Srinagar is witnessing sub-zero temperature,¡± he said.

Mushtaq Akhoon

Mushtaq¡¯s Kehwa is sprinkled with dry fruits and topped with rose leaves which he says is a gesture of love from Kashmiris to his customers.

¡°I believe every Kehwa which doesn¡¯t have dry fruits and roses in it is incomplete. This represents the valley¡¯s love and hospitality,¡± he said.

He said that he doesn¡¯t feel cold in the early morning when he comes to serve the tourists at Dal Lake.

¡°I have been visiting the vegetable market for the last nine years and have been providing the Kehwa to the locals and tourists. We don¡¯t feel cold coming out of our homes despite harsh weather. It is a routine for me now,¡± he said.

16 ingredients in Kehwa

Mushtaq told Indiatimes that almost 16 ingredients are added to the Kashmiri Kehwa including Almond, walnut, Cashew nut, Honey, Saffron, Cinnamon, Ginger, Sangram, Chai Pati, Rose Petals, Dates, Cardamom, and others.

Arif Moin

¡°I also add Hindustan and Pakistan to the Kashmiri Kehwa,¡± he said, adding that this makes people smile.

He said he also adds pure honey in it for a better taste.

Mushtaq sells a single cup of Kehwa for Rs 50 while he said that many tourists pay Rs 100.

When asked how his journey started, he said, ¡°It was in 2014 when I first started serving the Kehwa in the family shikara. I sell sixteen varieties of Kehwa. We have a deep-rooted connection with this work.¡±

He also left his education when he was in class 8th. ¡°I left it due to family issues and used to help in farming and also take the shikara ride,¡± he said.

In his boat, Mushtaq can be seen carrying traditional samovar, spices and other ingredients. A video of Mushtaq also went viral recently in which he was seen telling the tourists that he is offering Kehwa added with 16 ingredients, which brought him into the limelight.

Good for health

Mushtaq claimed that his saffron Kehwa reduces the risk of heart disease and makes the body warmer in these chilled winters. ¡°It also keeps a check on the blood pressure levels,¡± he said.

Mushtaq Akhoon

He said that he is hopeful that the government would promote Kehwa to national and international levels. ¡°This will bring more tourism and tourists to the valley and benefit the local stakeholders,¡± he said.

In all these years, Mushtaq has attracted the attention of various food bloggers from across India.

¡°We want more tourists to come here. I would welcome them with a cup of Kehwa,¡± he said.

He has been featured by the food blogging pages like Dil Se Foodie Official, Kashmir Food Gram, Food Founder, Veggie Wander and others.

Before signing off, Mushtaq said that he has served his Kehwa from Germany to Gujarat tourists who have visited him.

¡°I have loved his way of preparing the Kehwa. It is very different from others. It is completely natural and strong,¡± said Kajal, a tourist from Delhi.