India, Feb. 4 -- My fondest memory of Kashmiri saffron kehwa takes me back to my winters at home. Whenever it snowed or the days grew really cold, my mother would make this golden, fragrant tea. The aroma of saffron and spices would fill the entire house as she gently steeped it.

She'd serve it in small cups with slivered almonds on top, and we'd all sit together - siblings, cousins, and I - sipping slowly, feeling the warmth spread through our hands and body while listening to family stories. I still yearn for this kehwa every winter, especially on chilly evenings or during family gatherings. It's our way of staying warm and close in the cold season.

The saffron from Jammu & Kashmir's autumn fields remind me of nature's gifts and the c...