As the eagerly awaited season of winter sets in, the consumption of Peshawari "Qehwa" is also registering a rise. At different markets in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, several vendors and mobile Qehwa sellers offer their customers the traditional Qehwa.
Proudly displaying their merchandise, these vendors can be easily spotted at almost every other bus stop, park or marketplace with people from all ages gathering around them and sipping this green tea (Qehwa) with great relish. Samandar Khan, 27, a green-tea seller at Karachi company market, said that he moved from Swabi to try his luck here with his Qehwa business.
He said that the people in the federal capital had taken as much liking to this stuff (green tea) as the folks in Peshawar and other parts of NWFP. Qehwa sellers like Arif Khan usually charge five rupees per cup. The traditional drink is believed to keep winter-related minor problems like cough and cold at bay. Zarif Khan, 50, said he normally earns Rs 300 to 400 every day, while roaming around public places.
He said the green tea preparation method varies from simple brewing to innovative recipes. Dr Arshad Iqbal said that drinking green tea after dinner during winter nights is gaining vogue among the youth. Its different varieties are also used to maintain weight, and "I often advise my customers to drink it regularly", he added.