How Russians Drink tea or Tea Culture in Russia
From old times tea is one of
the most popular drinks in Russia and in fact it is much more popular than
coffee or vodka for example. Today in big bustle cities we don’t have time for
tea ceremonies and we Russians more and more drink tea rather fast during a day
at work, homes or just take away from coffees.
Tea is one of national
beverages because climate in Russia is not too hot.
But along before and even now
when we have time we do organize tea ceremonies for ourselves and our friends.
Because we sincerely believe that drinking tea is an integral part of our
national life style.
In our traditions we prefer to
finish every meal with a hot drink. In the majority of restaurant after dishes
waiters propose tea or coffee.
Tea became popular in Russia
at Peter the Great Epoch in 18th century. One of the most powerful
tea importers were Chinese companies.
Classical Russian tea ceremony
consists of several parts. First part – we prepare zavarka – we put some grams
of tea for 3-4 persons in one special
teakettle and put boiled or very hot water inside (depends on sort of tea). We
need to make our tea concentrate. After 15 minutes we put some zavarka liquid
inside tea cup ½ of the cup volume and add hot water to taste. Sugar and lemon
are also separate to taste. According to Russian traditions one cup of tea is
served with two cubes of sugar but you always may ask for more.
Interesting facts about tea traditions in Russia.
Tea is a dependent drink. Russians
take tea with chocolate, rusk biscuits, croissants, different jams called in
Russian varenie and other tasty sugar snacks.
Many years ago Russians use
Samovars to prepare tea. Samovar is a special container from metal to
heat and boil water.
If
some of you Russian friends invite you at home and offer a cup of tea it is
better to accept it because it is some kind of respect and a good tradition. If
somebody invites you directly to drink tea at his home in Russia don’t forget
to bring some candies or chocolate with you.
Most
popular sort of tea in Soviet Period when in the country was deficit of
products was Indian tea from Ceylon with a picture of an Elephant.
To learn more about tea culture in Russia and discove some other popular traditions in our country visit special section of our Information Guide to Moscow and Russia Rus-a, you can go to www.rus-a.com or directly click here.
