Russian Teatime Traditions(Unit 2)

                              

One drink that is very significant is Russian culture is tea.It's the most popular hot drink in Russian and the drink over 170,000 tons per year(1). 

Here are some teatime traditions in Russia. 

• Loose leaf is brewed in a small pot to be highly concentrated, this is called заварка. 
• Then the заварка is poured into a cup and hot water is added to dilute it.
• A self boiler, самовар, is used to keep the water hot.
• It is considered rude to serve tea without sweets.
• Sweets include but aren't limited to waffles, cookies, chocolate candies, and Сушки, a small dried bagel, with jam. 

(Source1)

 Because it's fall I included a fun fall  harvest tea recipe I found on a Russian food website.

Harvest Season Teas

Dramatic flavors and bold spices distinguish Harvest Season Teas from the light and mild summer variations. In many parts of the world fall flavors are synonymous with cinnamon, dried apples, pumpkin, chestnut and ginger. Popular tea sellers are starting to incorporate more dried fruits, spices and even nuts into their teas for a deeper, more sophisticated taste. If you’re not up for dishing out tons of dough on gourmet tea at the mall, use your favorite inexpensive loose tea as a base to create your own varieties.

1 cup of water (boiling)

1 tsp loose tea

½ tsp honey

½ tsp cinnamon

½ tsp pumpkin pie spice (optional)

1-2 cloves

Pinch of nutmeg

½ apple (smashed)

In a small bowl or mug mash the apple. Add boiling water and loose tea. Stir and add honey, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, cloves and nutmeg. Let stand for 2-4 minutes. Strain liquid into a clean cup, and savor slowly.

(Source2)