Kashmiri saffron is among the most sought after in the world. The beauty and flavour of Kashmiri saffron is such that it has many legends and myths associated with it. According to one of the stories saffron first came to Kashmir sometime in the eight century when a serpent god gifted it to physician who cured his affliction. Another story believes that it was brough by to wandering Sufi saints Khawja Masood Wali and Sheikh Sharifuddin Wali in the 12th century. This is disputed by some who claim that Kashmiris were growing Saffron from much earlier times as per some older Hindu documentations of early ages. In the middle ages, we have the classic, star-crossed Kashmiri love story of poetess and ascetic Zooni who met the future King of Kashmir Yusuf Shah on a blooming saffron field during a moonlit night. She assumed the name Habba Khatoon post marriage but the romance was cut short as the king was defeated and exiled by the Mughals. The main saffron producing area in Kashmir is spread around the town of Pampore. It is a historic town by the side of the river Jhelum. While the cultivation has spread across other locations, it still remains the hub of saffron trade. Especially during late autumn in October, all the fields surrounding the town get covered with purple blossoms and thousands of villagers get involved in plucking flowers and extracting the spice. There was a time when everyone in this area only dealt in saffron. Now they are opening up to other opportunities but still Pampore’s economy is manly driven by saffron.

Almonds are said to be one of the world’s most loved tree nuts that are highly nutritious and filled with fats, antioxidants including vitamins and minerals. Most people are aware of the facts that almonds are good for your health, but the question lies what are their various health benefits? Whether you may be relishing an ice cream with almond toppings or having a glass of almond milk, you name it and this nut is a major satisfaction to your taste buds and this also helps in a healthy diet. Now the question is how something this small can have a huge impact on your health? This is because almond seeds have antioxidants, proteins, hearty fats and minerals that are good for your body. Facts About Almonds: You know for sure that almonds are good for your health, but let’s take a peek into what are its various health benefits and this can benefit you in the long run. Here are some must-know facts about almonds and how they can benefit you. Almonds are rich in proteins, fibre and nutrients Almond trees are the oldest domesticated trees that date back to 3000 to 2000 BC in Jordan Almonds reduce your risk of cholesterol Almond can regulate blood sugar Consuming almonds in excess can cause nausea, diarrhoea, shortness of breath and problems in swallowing etc. Almond is not a nut, instead, it is a seed of a fruit Almonds can be stored in a refrigerator for 2 years and this is because of their high content of Vitamin E  India considers almonds as major brain food for children

Chaat Masala is a tongue-tickling Indian spice blend that gives a lively tweak to the food. The chatpatta flavour of chaat masala will definitely spice up your bland dish. All that is needed is a pinch of chaat masala, and the recipe is all set to create wonders. Be it pani puri, sev puri, pakora or salads, chaat masala powder makes sure that it jazzes up all dishes with just a sprinkle on the top.  Let's get into the world of chaat masala and explore its goodness.  What is Chaat Masala? Chaat Masala is believed to be dawned from the kitchens of Mughal empires. Chaat masala powder is an Indian street food seasoning, which is a combination of hot, sour, spicy and pungent taste. Like all the spice mixes, there is no fixed recipe for chaat masala spice blend as well. Each family has a different recipe to prepare chaat masala. However, blend of spices like cumin seeds, red chilli powder, coriander, amchur powder, black salt, black pepper and hing are used as chaat masala ingredients in its making.  Chaat Masala: Uses  Chaat masala is a unique spice mix that makes the food tangy as well as spicy. It is widely used as a seasoning in Indian cuisine. Here are some uses of chaat masala in Indian dishes.   Chaat masala is generously used for sprinkling in all chaat dishes like aloo chaat, dahi puri, bhel, etc. Chaat masala powder will add a tinge of tanginess to all the chaat dishes.  A pinch of chaat masala powder with some lemon drops adds a zesty taste to fruit dishes and vegetable salads.  Adding this spice mix to fruit juices will give a refreshing feel. It is sprinkled widely in pineapple and watermelon juices.  Chaat masala powder when topped in raita, buttermilk and lassi will add a salty taste.    Sprinkled on hot pakoras it adds a savoury taste, which makes them worth devouring upon.  Added to other famous street foods like sandwiches, dosas and frankies. Chaat masala powder is also added to sabjis, masala papad and parathas. So many uses of this spice blend, isn't it wonderful? A chaat masala packet really needs to be a part of every Indian kitchen.   Chaat Masala: Ingredients Generally, Chaat masala includes 13 spices in its making. The ingredients are as follows:  Iodized Salt Coriander Sour Mango Black Salt Kachari Mint Leaves Dry Ginger Cumin Chillies Black Pepper Cloves Nutmeg Asafoetida What are the Health Benefits of Chaat Masala? Chaat masala is rich in iron and calcium because of the ingredients like amchur powder, cumin seeds and hing. And cumin seeds are also rich in minerals and magnesium. Chaat masala powder is full of vitamins - Cumin seeds are a good source of Vitamin A. Red chilli has Vitamin A and C, which is great for immunity. Coriander is also a great source of Vitamin C.  Indian spices generally have the presence of antioxidants, and so chaat masala also has antioxidants. Hing is a source of ferulic acid, which removes free radicals that causes cancer in the body.  Black pepper works wonders in improving the digestion process. Black pepper and coriander have been proved beneficial in reducing bloating and flatulence.  The presence of a compound in cumin has been proved to eliminate high blood sugar level symptoms.  How to Store?  To keep flavour and aroma of chaat masala intact, store it in an airtight container in a cool place.  If stored well, chaat masala will stay flavorful for months or even a year.  Use Arancia Rosa to make your dish flavorful and aromatic. At Vasant Masala, we use 100% pure and authentic spices You can buy Vasant's spices from the nearby grocery store or Online.  

Instead of hours over the stove, this easy, One-pot Kashmiri Chai recipe takes less than 20 minutes to make! This is not a traditional Noon Chai recipe, but an accessible version that’s still delicious (and pink)! See notes on how to make it with regular green tea leaves if you can’t find Kashmiri tea leaves. To me, Kashmiri Chai has always been a bit of an enigma. An aspirational, meticulously prepared drink that requires hours of attention, tea leaves from a particular region, a bicep workout, and a good dose of patience. And only then will it be the correct shade of pink…possibly.