Kashaya with Kashayam Powder

Kashaya with kashayam powder step-by-step recipe with photos.

Jump to:

• What is kashaya
• What is kashayam powder
• Ingredients and associated benefits
• Step by step instructions
• Variations
• Tips and tricks
• FAQs
• Bonus
• Recipe card
• Comments

What is kashaya

Kashya or kashayam is a popular Ayurvedic drink that is made with a spice blend and is brewed like tea. It is known for its spice flavour and has numerous health benefits associated with it. This mildly sweet, mildly spicy drink is very popular in Malnad and coastal regions of Karnataka and is often replaced with tea or coffee.

Kashayam is known for its health benefits and helps cure sore throat, common cold, and cough. It also helps with improving immunity and digestion. Every ingredient that is added to make this Ayurvedic drink has numerous health benefits associated with it. Kashaya can also be used as a bedtime drink, especially during winter.

I have earlier shared the recipe for Tulasi kashaya which is made with holy basil. Here in this recipe, I am making it using kashaya powder.

What is kashayam powder

Kashyam powder is a spice blend prepared using spices and dried herbs. This spice blend is brewed to make kashaya. Traditionally, along with spices, several dried herbs are used to make this powder. Herbs like ashwagandha, hippali (long pepper), jeshta madhu (liquorice), etc. are used. The blend I am preparing here uses some common spices that are easily available and frequently used.

Ingredients and associated benefits

Coriander seeds: Coriander seeds are known to be associated with several health benefits like maintaining blood sugar levels, improving bone health, and helping with digestion, to name a few.

Cumin seeds: Cumin seeds are rich in antioxidants, help lower blood sugar levels and cholesterol. It is also useful in treating diarrhea and reducing fungal infections.

Fennel seeds: Fennel seeds are consumed widely after meals as they are known to aid digestion. They also help in reducing blood sugar levels and have a cooling effect.

Pepper: Black pepper is very effective in treating cold and flu-like symptoms. It also aids digestion and improves skin health.

Fenugreek seeds: Both fenugreek seeds and leaves are consumed for their health benefits. It is a common remedy used for fever and sore throat. It also helps reduce cholesterol, control blood sugar levels and aid weight management. It is also very beneficial for skin and hair health. It is consumed in small quantities by lactating mothers to increase the breastmilk supply.

Cloves: Cloves are rich in antioxidants and commonly used to improve dental health. It is also used to fight yeast infection. Clove oil is used to improve hair and skin health.

Cardamom: They have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Cardamom helps with cold and cough management and also aids digestion.

Cinnamon: It has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties and is well known for lowering blood sugar levels.

Nutmeg: Nutmeg or jaiphal helps with insomnia, aid digestion, and boost immunity.

Turmeric: Traditionally, dried turmeric roots are used; however, I am using turmeric powder here. Turmeric derives its medicinal properties from curcumin which has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also known to fight the common cold and viral infections. It helps fight cancer and depression.

Ginger: Ginger can be used either in the dried or fresh form here. It is commonly used to treat cough, flu-like symptoms, and nausea. It also helps aid digestion and inflammation.

Step by step instructions

Dry roast coriander seeds and cumin seeds until they are aromatic. Set aside (step 1).

Dry roast fennel seeds, pepper, and fenugreek seeds for 1 minute. Set aside (step 2).

Dry roast nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Set aside (step 3).

Let all the spices cool down completely (step 4).

Transfer them to a spice mixer. Grind into a fine powder (steps 5,6).

To this, add turmeric powder and ginger powder. Pulse everything together so that they are well combined (steps 7,8).

Take 2 cups of water, jaggery, and 2 teaspoons of kashaya powder in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil and let it brew for 2-3 minutes (step 9).

Turn off the heat and add milk. Mix well (step 10).

Strain it using a tea strainer. Healthy kashayam is ready to be served (steps 11,12).

Variations

Replace dried ginger with fresh ginger. Crush and add when brewing the kashayam.

I use jaggery to sweeten this drink. You may replace it with sugar, honey, or coconut sugar.

Kashayam can easily be made vegan by replacing milk with any dairy-free milk. You may also skip milk altogether and just brew it in water.

Tips and tricks

This measurement gives me approximately 100 grams of powder. I use 1 teaspoon of this powder for each glass of kashaya so this powder can make 20 glasses of kashaya.

I am making this kashaya powder with spices that are a staple of any Indian kitchen. Other Ayurvedic herbs like ashwagandha, hippali (long pepper), jeshta madhu (licorice) can also be added to the powder. At a minimum, use coriander seeds, cumin seeds, pepper, ginger, and turmeric.

Dry roast on low heat until all the spices are aromatic. It is imporant to take care not to burn the spices as they will make the kashya bitter. Also, once roasted, transfer to a plate for it to cool down or the heat in the pan can burn the spices.

Cool the roasted spices completely before grinding. Any moisture content in the kashaya powder will reduce the shelf life.

Use the cardamom along with its pod. Do not discard the pod of the cardamom.

FAQs

Bonus

This drink is:
- delicious and very healthy
- easy to make
- perfect replacement for tea or coffee

Recipe card