Summary
Russian people are well-known for drinking two primary beverages: vodka and tea. Leaving coffee and cocktails to Western Europe, Russians excel in producing and selecting vodka, while their love for tea is unparalleled and entrenched in tradition.
Tea represents an integral aspect of Russian culture. It warms you up, invigorates you, and serves as a pleasant finish after a hearty meal. More than just a drink, tea drinking in Russia embodies a significant social activity and deep-rooted customs.
Types of Tea in Russia
While Russians typically keep a variety of teas, such as green, herbal, and black, they predominantly consume black tea, reserving other varieties for guests. Much of the tea available in Russia originates from China and India and is often sold loose-leaf. Famous types include a unique Oolong blend called “Russian Caravan” and Keemun teas. Although American brands like Tetley and Red Rose can be found in Russian supermarkets, they often carry much higher prices compared to local brands.
Brewing and Drinking Traditions
When brewing tea, Russians prefer loose-leaf to tea bags, typically opting for the latter only when preparing tea for one or in a hurried situation. This preference is rooted in traditional methods and reflects Russia’s historical challenges regarding food scarcity, necessitating one pot of tea to serve many.
The brewing process involves a small teapot with a high concentration of tea leaves, creating a strong tea concentrate called “заварка” (zavarka). This concentrate is poured into large cups and diluted with water just off the boil, depending on personal strength preference.
Tea is commonly enjoyed hot and is typically consumed “black.” Nevertheless, it is customary to have sugar and milk available for those who prefer a sweeter or creamier beverage. Traditionally, tea water was boiled in a “Samovar,” yet most modern Russian households utilize electric kettles. Interestingly, some traditionalists still pour their tea into the saucer beneath the cup, sipping from the dish.
Food Accompaniment
It is considered poor etiquette in Russia to serve tea without accompanying food. Typically, sweet treats such as cookies, biscuits, candy, and pies are presented for guests. However, it is also common to serve crackers, bread, cheese, and sausage, especially among close friends.
Moreover, it is viewed as slightly impolite to sip tea without partaking in accompanying snacks. Hosts are inclined to provide “fancy” treats for their guests, and it is advisable to sample at least some, as failure to do so could offend your host.
The Social Tea Tradition
As Russians are not generally accustomed to going out for lunch or dinner, inviting someone for tea is a more common social gesture. Tea drinking often serves as the primary means of socializing at home, where visits can last from 30 minutes to several hours, with tea as a staple part of the experience.
In Russian culture, tea plays a significant role in alleviating stress, tackling difficult situations, and fostering connections during family gatherings, dinners with friends, or intimate meetings. There seems to be no occasion where a cup of tea isn’t fitting, making it emblematic of true Russian culture, perhaps even more so than vodka.
