Peshawar: The centuries old copper (brass) samovars with the passage of time are gradually becoming the part of history that once defined traditional qehwa khanas of Qissa Khwani Bazzar. The qehwa makers are now shifting from the golden hued copper samovars with steel samovars for making tea and the traditional Peshawari qehwa.
In Peshawar’s oldest Reti Bazaar, steel samovar craftsman Taimur Ali said he previously made copper samovars, but demand for them has sharply declined over the years.
A qehwa hotel owner said that now they prefer cheaper steel samovars over copper ones due to rising costs.
As per Taimur Ali it is only because the rapidly increase in the price that the qehwa makers are shifting from copper samovars to steel samowars. He said that a pair of copper samovars now costs around Rs16,000 and a pair of steel samovars is available for nearly Rs8,000.
He further added that it not only the cost but the making of copper samovars are time consuming as well, as the that making a copper samovar pair takes about a week and requires more labor, whereas steel samovars can be prepared easily within a single day. He said that steel samovars also heat water faster and consume less gas and its making is more economical option.
On the other hand, owners of a historical qehwa khanas in the old city argue that the true taste of qehwa comes only from traditional copper samovars which are now becoming the part of the history. He said that water heats slowly in copper samovars but remains hot throughout the entire day which brings out the authentic color and flavor of the qehwa.
While steel samovars are cheaper, traders insist they fail to deliver the same taste. They fear that the disappearance of copper samovars already rarely produced may also lead to the loss of the original flavor of Peshawari qehwa and a cultural symbol of the city.
For local people drinking qehwa is the real blessing they said their mind only works when the qehwa hits and Pakistani agree that Peshawar qehwa is the best because of the secret ingredients and traditional samovars are one among them.
“In the historic Qissa khwani bazzar you get the best qehwa in Peshawar” He added.
Another Peshawar resident said that you won’t get qehwa like this anywhere that I had have qehwa in Afghanistan, China, Iran and Turkey and it is tastier because of the copper samavors boiled water and the ingredients.
“The samavor have boiled the water we use three or four types of loose leaf we brew it, then add sugar and cardamon and copper samavors are one among the secrets” said a qehwa maker.
A local said that the qehwa Khanas started struggle because the original ingredients are fading its ways and copper samavors are one among them.
Also read: Peshawar faces severe water and sanitation crisis
