History and Culture of Tea in Russia

The story of tea in Russia began in 1638 when the Mongol ruler gifted tea to Tsar Michael I. Falling in love with tea, Russia made an agreement with the Chinese in 1679 to import tea in exchange for various animal furs. However, due to the long and arduous trade routes, the cost of tea skyrocketed, making it a luxury only accessible to the wealthy. Between 1824 and 1880, improved trade networks reduced the cost of imported tea, making it more accessible to all social classes in Russia. In the latter half of the 19th century, declining tea supplies in China led Russia to import tea from England and Ukraine.

Tea Culture in Russia

In the cold climate of Russia, tea holds a long-standing and significant place in its culture. The tea brewing and drinking habits of the Russian people bear similarities to those in Turkey.

One unique aspect of Russian tea culture is the two-step brewing process. First, a tea concentrate called zavarka (Russian: заварка) is prepared. This concentrated tea consists of a one-to-five ratio of tea to water. For each cup, five teaspoons of black tea leaves are combined with water from the samovar and brewed in a teapot called a "chainik," which is then placed on top of the samovar to keep warm. Yes, the samovar! Its origins are deeply rooted in Russian tea culture.

The consumption of tea in Russia is almost ceremonial. Tea is enjoyed plain or with lemon. To sweeten it, jam, honey, or sugar is used. Similar to Turkish culture, Russians sometimes consume sugar with tea using the "klitlama" method.

Snacks such as Syrinki are often enjoyed alongside tea. Among these, Russian tea cakes are the most famous. These cakes, resembling cookies, are made with flour, butter, and sugar, and optionally include nuts such as walnuts, almonds, or pistachios. Russian tea glasses are served in "Podstakannik," metal holders designed to protect hands from the heat.

Although tea is not cultivated on Russian soil, it has held a vital place in Russian culture since 1638 and remains a staple of friendly gatherings. On this note, we are thrilled to share that Lazika tea is now available in Russia, with a shop and cafe in the southern city of Nalchik. You can even place orders via Instagram at @Lazika_tea. Exciting news!

Photo

A tea party in Mytishchi. Vasily Perov, 1862 / Wikipedia