Tea is part of Russian culture. Russian tea is brewed and can be served sweet, and hot or cold.
Video Russian tea culture
History
Since 1638, tea has a rich and diverse history in Russia. Because part of the cold northern climate of Russia, it is now considered the de facto national drink, one of the country's most popular beverages, and strongly associated with traditional Russian culture. It was traditionally drunk at afternoon tea, but has since spread as a drink throughout the day, especially at the end of the meal served with dessert. An important aspect of Russian tea culture is the ubiquitous Russian tea brewing equipment known as samovar, which has become a symbol of hospitality and comfort.
Tea in Russia was introduced in 1638, when a Mongolian ruler donated to Tsar Michael I four pood (65-70 kg) of tea. According to Jeremiah Curtin, probably in 1636 Vassili Starkov was sent as a messenger to Altyn Khan. As a gift to the Tsar, he was given 250 pounds of tea. At first Starkov refused, not seeing that there were many dead leaves, but Khan insisted. Thus tea was introduced to Russia. In 1679, Russia terminated the agreement with regular tea supplies from China through camel caravans in exchange for fur. The Chinese ambassador to Moscow gave a few tea gifts to Alexis I. However, a difficult trade route made the cost of tea so high that the drink was only available to royalty and very wealthy Russians. In 1689, the Nerchinsk Treaty was signed which inaugurated Russia's sovereignty over Siberia, and also marked the creation of the Tea Road used by merchants between Russia and China.
Between the Nerchinsk Treaty and the Kyakhta Treaty (1727), Russia will raise its caravans to China for tea, but only through the merchants of the state. In 1706, Peter the Great banned all merchants from trading in Beijing. In 1786, Catherine the Great set the import of tea on a regular basis. At the time of Catherine's death in 1796, Russia imported more than 3 million pounds by camel caravans in the form of loose tea and tea bricks, enough tea to lower the price so that middle and low-class Russians could buy the drink.
The peak year for the Kiakhta tea trade was in 1824, and the peak year for the tea caravan was 1860. From then on, they began to decline when the first leg of the Trans-Siberian Railway was completed in 1880. Faster train service allowed for tea imported from almost a year and a half until finally more than a week. The decline of Chinese tea in the mid-19th century in turn meant that Russia began to import more tea from Odessa, and London. In 1905, horse tea transportation was over, and in 1925 the caravan as the only means of transportation for tea had ended. In 2002, Russia imported about 162,000 metric tons of tea.
Production
By the end of the 18th century, tea prices had declined moderately. The first local tea factory was established at the Nikitsk botanical garden in 1814, while the first industrial tea plantation was established in 1885. The tea industry did not take off until World War I, and was greatly developed after World War II. However, in the mid-1990s, tea production stalled. Currently, the main area in Russia for tea production is around Sochi.
Maps Russian tea culture
Variety
Traditionally, black tea is the most common tea in Russia, but green tea is becoming more popular.
Traditional tea in Russia includes a traditional type known as Russian Caravans because it was originally imported from China through camel caravans. Because the journey is very long, usually takes 16 or 18 months, this tea gets its distinctive aroma from a campfire caravan. Currently, this tea is often given a smoky aroma after fermentation or a "black or oolong" from China or Formosa (Taiwan) with a little smoky Lapsang Souchong or Tarry Souchong. "
Brewing
An important feature of Russian tea culture is the two-step brewing process. First, a tea concentrate called zavarka (Russia: ???????) is prepared: a sufficient amount of dry tea for some people brewed in a small carafe. Then, each person pours some of this concentrate into the cup and mixes it with hot water; thus, one can make one's tea as strong as desired, according to one's taste. Sugar, lemon, honey or jam can be added freely.
Tea culture
According to William Pokhlyobkin, tea in Russia is not regarded as a self-reliant drink; thus, even the affluent class decorate it with jam, syrup, cake, cake, candy, lemon and other sweets. This is similar to the ancient idiom "???? ?????" (tea and sugar). Russian uses some memes related to tea consumption, including "????? - ??" (roughly "tea?"), used by pre-Revolution servants. The other is "????????" (whip tea, ie drinking tea run) and "???????????????" (enjoying tea). Tea is made an important element of cultural life by the Karamzinian letters. By the mid 19th century tea had won the city class, the merchants and the petty bourgeoisie. This is reflected in the dramas of Alexander Ostrovsky. Since Ostrovsky time, the duration and amount of tea consumed is appreciated in tea drinking. Alexander Pushkin at Eugene Onegin displayed the role of tea in establishing romantic relationships:
- Boredom single, immediately
- They talk-but in a sneaky way.
- They called him to their samovar -
- None but Dunya will pour tea;
- They whispered to her: "Dunya, look!"
- And then produce the sweet guitar.
- O Christ! He then starts cheep:
- "Come meet me in keep my gold!"
In the Soviet period, drinking tea was popular in daily life of office workers (female secretaries, laboratory assistants, etc.). The brand tea at the time was nicknamed "broom" (Georgia) and "tea with elephant" (India). Tea is an unchanging element of kitchen life among intellectuals in the 1960s-1970s.
In Russia before the Revolution there was a joke "???????????????????" ('What happens after tea?') With the correct answer is "the resurrection of the dead" of the Nicene Creed. It's based on the word "???" ( chayu ), the homepage that points earlier "I wish" ("searching" in the credo) and the genitive case of the word "tea", is still used.
In Russia, tea preparations are different, but usually include lemon, and sugar or jam. Tea sachet is very popular, but when tea pot is used, it is very common to make liquor, then pour it into a cup and sprinkle it with hot water or boiling water, add milk and sugar afterwards.
In the 19th century, Russians drank their tea with a cube of sugar (from sugarloaf) stored between their teeth. Tradition still exists.
Tea is very popular in Russian prisons. Traditional mind-altering substances such as alcohol are usually prohibited, and very high concentrations, called zavarka or chifir are used in lieu.
The traditional form of Russian tea equipment includes a Russian-made beer urn called samovar, Lomonosov tea set adorned with cobalt blue and 22-karat blue mesh designs, and traditional Russian tea glass holders.
"Russian Tea" in the United States
There is a drink called "Russian Tea" which probably comes from America. This drink is very popular in the Southeastern United States where it is traditionally served at social events during Advent and Christmastide. Recipes vary, but the most common ingredients are loose black tea, orange juice (or orange peel), cinnamon, and cloves. Other juices such as lemons and pineapples are sometimes called. Creams can also be added when served. Various 'instant' homemade, often using Tang, has been a popular stocking stuffer in recent decades.
This drink is served hot and often in the form of an evening drink or after a meal. However, ice versions are sometimes offered with food in the cafe.
Despite its name, "Russian tea" may have no connection with namesake. The earliest reference to "Russian Tea" is in a 1925 American cookbook.
Note
Bibliography
- Audra Jo Yoder, Myth and Memory in Russian Tea Culture , Ã, Â «Studies in Slavic Culture», Edition VIII, August 2009.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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