Russian tea ceremony

tea is popular in many countries, and each country has its own traditions and preferences in tea drinking. Russia is a country where tea drinking is formed in an individual tradition. The history of the Russian tea ceremony began in sixteen thirty-eight, when Russian Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich received a special diplomatic gift from Altyn Khan, the ruler of Mongolia. Until this time, Russians did not know anything about tea, and most of them drank soft drinks based on honey.

In Russia, tea is served after meals and during the mid-lunch break, a kind of English “five o’clock tea” with the difference that this Russian tea can be served at any time of the day and anywhere – in the office, in the car, in the park. Always offer a cup of tea for guests. This “cup of tea” is not just tea, but also a variety of different snacks, such as cookies, sandwiches, buns, pies. Each holiday ends with tea with sweets and cakes.

Until now, when tea bags have become popular in the world, Russians still prefer tea that is prepared in the old classic form, when tea is served in a teapot with tea leaves and then diluted with boiling water – nothing special, but only this serving method for a Russian person can ensure good taste of tea. Each family has several porcelain teapots of different sizes and different finishes. At least this was the case until recently, and some families still keep them. Teapots with simple decoration are used for everyday tea drinking, large beautiful holiday teapots are used for more special holidays

there are some rules for making good tea. The water should be boiled to the “sparkling boil”, when the first air bubbles appear. The water should be soft, hard water with high salt content is not good for tea. Hot water is poured over the kettle to warm it. Then put 1 tsp into the kettle. tea leaves for each person plus 1 tsp. for a teapot – a classic recipe. Then the tea leaves are filled with water. After 3-4 minutes the tea is ready. Sometimes strongly brewed tea is poured into a cup and served without diluting, in accordance with the person’s preferences, the remaining cups are topped up with hot water. Russians rarely serve tea with milk or cream; they believe that milk and other additives change the real taste of the tea. Often, especially in the past, tea was served in glass glasses, which in turn were placed in special cup holders. They are usually made of metal – silver, bronze, so-called nickel silver (a special Cu-Ni-Zn alloy) and decorated with engraving and enamel elements. Until this time, it was a tradition to drink tea in such glasses with cup holders on long-distance trains. Often tea is served with lemon slices.

History of the Tea Party

In the past of Russia, tea drinking was quite colorful, so it became the subject of painting on lacquer boxes, trays, and porcelain items. Many different snacks were served with tea. In the past, water was boiled in special devices – samovars. The samovar was the central symbol of the Russian tea ceremony. This is a unique invention that combines a kettle with a heating chamber inside. The samovar has become an important element of every household. There were different types of samovars – large for public restaurants, small and compact for travel, normal size for everyday use, brass for ordinary middle-class families, silver and well-designed for wealthy families.

In addition, various cakes and cookies, all kinds of jams and preserves are served with tea, and honey is the most delicious addition. The jam and honey are not placed in a cup or glass of tea, but served in a bowl or in a special vase, and then each tea party participant puts some in a personal small plate or dish, and then eats a teaspoon. Often white bread or roll is offered, in this case various rolls are served with jam or honey. Of course, fresh butter is served – just in case, for those who like to spread on bread.