Can I use a different type of milk?

Yes, you can use low-fat milk, but the kheer will be less creamy. For a dairy-free version, try full-fat oat milk or cashew milk for a similarly rich texture.

How do I get the best color and flavor from the saffron?

To extract the maximum flavor and a beautiful golden hue, steep the saffron threads in warm milk for at least 15-20 minutes before adding them to the kheer.

My kheer is too thin or thick. How can I fix it?

If your kheer is too thin, continue to simmer it on low heat until it reaches your desired consistency. If it becomes too thick, simply stir in a splash of warm milk until it thins out.

Can I use a different sweetener instead of sugar?

You can substitute sugar with other sweeteners like jaggery, maple syrup, or condensed milk, adjusting the amount to your taste. Note that this will alter the flavor profile slightly.

Golden Saffron & Cardamom Kheer

Name: Golden Saffron & Cardamom Kheer
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1/2 cup basmati rice, rinsed; 6 cups whole milk; 1/2 cup sugar, or to taste; A generous pinch of Param Kesar® saffron threads; 2 tablespoons warm milk; 4-5 green cardamom pods, crushed, or 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom; 2 tablespoons slivered almonds; 2 tablespoons chopped unsalted pistachios; Optional: dried rose petals for garnish

A creamy, traditional Indian rice pudding (kheer) recipe, beautifully scented with green cardamom and infused with the luxurious colour and aroma of saffron.

There are some dishes that taste like a memory. Kheer, the slow-simmered, creamy Indian rice pudding, is one of them. It is the scent of celebration, the taste of comfort, a bowl of warmth that feels like a hug from the inside out. Every spoonful is a blissfully simple, yet profoundly satisfying, combination of fragrant rice, rich milk, and gentle sweetness, a canvas for the aromatics that make it so special. While cardamom lends its sweet, floral perfume, it is saffron that truly elevates this dessert into something sublime. As the milk simmers, we introduce a pinch of exquisite Param Kesar® saffron threads, bloomed in a little warm milk to awaken their soul. Watching them bleed their magnificent golden-orange colour into the pot is a quiet magic. They impart a flavour that is at once earthy, floral, and subtly honeyed—a complex, luxurious note that is impossible to replicate. Whether served warm on a cool evening or chilled on a summer’s day, this Saffron Kheer is a timeless classic. It’s a humble dessert, yet it carries an air of regality, a testament to the power of pure, high-quality ingredients. We hope this recipe becomes a part of your own traditions and memories.