Put 1/2 cup water in the pot and Microwave at 100% power for 30 seconds to warm the pot. Throw away the water and drop in tea-leaves to taste. Meanwhile heat the required quantity of water. 1 cup will need around 1 minute 30 seconds; 2 cups 2 minutes 20 seconds; 3 cups 4 minutes 30 seconds. Pour into the pot and leave to infuse a few minutes. Only pots with no metal rims or golden/silver linings may be used.

TO MAKE BREWED TEA:

Put the required quantity of water, milk and sugar and jug in a pot or jug. Bring to boil. Auto cook ovens will time this for you. Drop in tea leaves and boil 30 seconds more or to your preference. Leave to stand before serving. The jug or pot should preferably be covered with a tight-fitting or microwave safe plastic wrap to avoid spillage. To make a single cup of tea, follow the same procedure, using a tea-bag or tea-infuser with leaves for added convenience. For interest, drop pounded cardamoms, aniseed (sonf), basil (tulsi), crushed ginger, into the water .

To make iced tea, heat 1/2 cup water at 100% power for 30 seconds. Drop in 1 teaspoon (or to taste) sugar per cup and  1 herbal teabag or tea-leaves to make a light brew. Infuse for a few minutes, stir to dissolve the sugar, then strain and make up to the required quantity by adding chilled water and ice. Lemon juice and mint add refreshing flavor.

TO MAKE MILKSHAKES OR COLD COFFEE:

Use your microwave to heat 1/4 cup of milk (100% power for 20 seconds) into which you can drop sugar, coffee, cocoa as the case may be to dissolve it before you pour it into the blender to make the shake.

TO MAKE KAHWA:

Deseed and powder 1 green cardamom, and a small piece cinnamon in the blender. Boil 2 cups water (2.20 seconds) with a few strands saffron and 1/4-3/4 teaspoon green tea. Stand 1 minute.

Meanwhile warm 3 small cups (without metal trimmings) for 20 seconds at 100% power. Divide the cardamom and cinnamon powder between the cup, adding also a few silver almond in each. Pour over the tea, add sugar to taste.

TO MAKE AAM PANNA:

Wash 400 grams green mangoes well, prick in the couple of places with the fork and lay in a microwave - safe dish with 1 1/2 cups water. Microwave 100% power of 14 minutes. Stand 3 minutes. The mangoes should be totally soft, the skin split in some places. When you can handle them squeeze out the pulp, blend sugar and water to taste (approx 4-6 tablespoons). Stir in 1 teaspoon cumin powder (zeera), chat masala and black salt to taste.

To serve, pour in some concentrate into the glass and top with ice and water. A few finally chopped mint leaves are very refreshing.