What kind of tea do russians drink

However, it is customary for sugar and milk to be present on the table alongside the tea as well for those who wish to sweeten or dilute their tea.

Traditionally, the water for Russian tea was boiled in a "Samovar"; now, however, most Russian homes will have electric kettles. Real tea traditionalists drink their tea out of the saucer that goes under the teacup, rather than from the cup. First, the tea is poured into the saucer, and then it drips from the dish. Typical tea-time foods are sweets, such as cookies, biscuits, candy, and pies; these will usually be brought out for guests. However, crackers, bread, cheese, and sausage can be served instead, especially with close friends.

Ideally, aim not to eat everything, but definitely to eat something, otherwise, your host may be offended. Since Russian people are not traditionally accustomed to going out for lunch or dinner , it is much, much more common for a Russian person will invite you for a cup of tea rather than a meal out. Like any social gathering, this can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, but one way or another, tea will always be present on the table!

There is almost no situation in which a cup of tea does not seem appropriate in Russia. In a sense, it is more iconic of true Russian culture than even vodka. A few rare ones in porcelain and glass have survived to the present day. Samovars were not only successful in Russia: they were also adopted in Turkey, Iran, Morocco and Azerbaijan.

Traditionally-speaking, Russians preferred strong black tea from China with a heady aroma and they would let a spoonful of sugar or jam dissolve in their mouths just before drinking it. Blends of different teas including the famous smoked black tea Lapsang Souchong were created for the Russian market and became fashionable throughout Europe in the 19 th century. It can still be found in shops today, but the blends are no longer exactly the same.

The most well-known was created around fifty years ago. To please fans of Earl Grey, it was flavoured with bergamot , which was not found in the original Russian tea. Citrus fruit was also added.

In his Grand Dictionnaire de cuisine, Alexandre Dumas recounts that the first tea cups were made in Cronstadt to the west of St Petersburg and that the bottom of the cups portrayed a view of the town. Even though tea production is somewhat limited, it still has one of the strongest tea cultures in the world that started more than years ago. Cold climate, location, and the proximity to tea producing countries made it possible for tea to become an integral part of Russian culture earlier than in other European countries.

For example, the English afternoon tea tradition was first introduced only a bit less than years ago. As with any other tea treadition, tea has always had a much higher importance than to just offer comfort and warmth.

The most unusual and unique piece of Russian tea equipment is samovar. Traditionally, it was used to heat the water. Once ready, water was poured from samovar into a teapot with loose leaf tea. Old samovars were using coal that could also influence the final flavor of tea. Today, electric ones are much more common and tea bags are not an exception either. You should never drink Russian tea pure, but always will sugar, lemon or jam. Adding jam to tea is a unique tradition untypical for other tea cultures where the usual condiments are milk, cream, lemon or sugar.

Russian jam or varenye is usually made with strawberries or similar fruits and has a very sweet flavor. This is diluted with water kept hot in the main chamber, ensuring a cup of tea as strong as you like is always available. It is common for zavarka to be infused with dried herbs picked out of the dacha garden, such as blackcurrant leaves, fireweed or even carrot leaves. One myth says Cossacks brought tea knowledge into the nation from China in the 16th century; however, the first record of its Russian existence is a century later, during the Romanov dynasty.

However, it was Peter the Great who signed a trade deal between Russia and China, initiating China as a primary tea source. Tea was only made accessible to everyone in the late 19th century. Before then, it was only consumed by the wealthier classes, and it is believed that the lower classes brewed herbal infusions in their samovars. It is not uncommon to while away an afternoon with tea and a plate of something to eat as friends catch up for a chinwag and a gossip.

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Zita Whalley. Home-grown leaf. Russian sweeteners.