Islamabad, Nov 26 : As the mercury dips in Islamabad with the onset of winter every year, the demand ‘Peshawari Qehwa’ rises.

The traditional drink is believed to keep winter-related minor problems like cough and cold at bay.

Almost all eateries in Islamabad and Rawalpindi offer their customers traditional Qehwa.

Janat Gul, a tea seller in his fifties, said that he migrated from Peshawar to try his luck here.

“I am amazed to see that people in the federal capital are as addicted to traditional green tea as the Pakhtuns are,” the Daily Times quoted him, as saying.

Qehwa sellers usually charge five to eight rupees per cup, depending upon the flavour and ingredients used in the drink.

Sarwar Khan, a boy in his teens, said he normally earns Rs 100 to 150 everyday while roaming around public places.

Rafaqat Hussain, a native of Charsadda, said the green tea preparation method varies from simple brewing to innovative recipes.

“People in NWFP (North West Frontier Province) usually like a strong taste, while the majority among them prefer to chew gur at intervals while sipping green tea,” Rafaqat said.

Kasur Jahanara, a fashion designer and physiotherapist, said that drinking green tea after dinner during winter nights is a trend among the youth.

“It’s different varieties are also used to maintain weight, and I often advise my customers to drink it regularly,” she added.

The sale of traditional qehwa is also on the rise in Rawalpindi, as sellers ready with their equipment can be seen at almost every bus stop. At Liaquat Bagh and Nawaz Sharif public parks, people from all ages can be seen sipping green tea with great penchant.

Books indicate that people consumed tealeaves steeped in boiling water as many as 500,000 years ago, the daily reported.
 
According to the paper, botanical evidence indicates that China was among the first countries to cultivate tea. (ANI)