The history of tea and tea drinking in Russia.

The first mention of tea appeared in Russia in the middle of the XVI century during the reign of Ivan the Terrible, when the Kozak chieftains went to the Chinese territory, and, on returning, told about the Asian ritual of unknown beverage consumption — tea.

Then, in 1638 the Russian ambassador Vasily Starkov brought a gift to Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich from Mongol khan Altyn — a few pounds of tea leaves. Although the gift, received in exchange for valuable furs, very confused the ambassador, the king liked the new drink for it "turned away from sleep" during the long church services and boring sitting in the Boyar Duma.

During the reign of another Russian tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, his court doctor Samoilo Cullins advised to drink tea infusion with severe pain in the stomach. The king followed the advice and soon recovered. The rumor about the "fair remedy", which saved the tsar, spread rapidly, and tea party soon became very fashionable, but was used mainly for medicinal purposes.

In 1679, Russia signed an agreement with China for the supply of tea, and then in 1689 Russian merchants begun the tea trading.

At the end of the XVII century. Tea began to be sold in the shops with other goods. But for the simple folks tea has long been inaccessible due to its high price, and unawareness on how to prepare it.

By order of Peter I in Moscow in a Western style the Austeries were established  - the restaurant where tea and pretzels were provided for free to the visitors who brought and read the first Russian newspaper "Vedomosti". Together with Peter I from Holland samovar  came оn the Russian land.

In the reign of Elizabeth and Catherine II, tea is becoming increasingly popular drink. Elizabeth had an impact on the Russian tea tableware production development, and ordered to found the Imperial Porcelain Factory. With Catherine II beautiful family tea sets began to be produced . By the end of the Catherine II era Russians consumed the amount of tea annually, measured by "six thousand camels loaded."

With Catherine's time originates Peter Botkin's tea business, the merchant of 1st guild who not once went to Kyakhta for changing the fur, leather and fabrics on the large batches of Chinese teas. In the first half of the XIX century he has become the largest domestic tea merchant. His sons continued the business, and "Botkin teas" were famous until the I-st World War.

On the eve of 1822 Alexander I issued a decree that allowed "to make sales in the tavern and all sorts of institutions, from 7 am to 12 pm, and contain tea in the restaurant." After a quarter of a century in Moscow was more than a hundred special stores selling tea, and there were more than three hundred shops, traded it.

By the early nineteenth century, tea etiquette is formed in Russia. A special kind invitation to visit arised — "for tea". Interesting fact: it is the tea parties born the Russian romance as a music genre.

In time of Alexander II in Moscow the first tea inns - "chainaya"- appeared. It had the right to open at 5 am, when the other restaurants were still closed. The owners were allowed to have tea "music" — Gramophone and billiards. But alcoholic drinks were prohibited there. Boiling water was allowed to serve only in samovars. Tea was served with milk, cream, bread, bagels, butter, crushed sugar, etc. Very soon, these inns have become very popular among the simple folks and the merchants. Special tsar's order in 1886 includes the tea into the main products of army ration.

That time is characterized by the rapid development of the ceramics teaware production in Gzhel, Dulevo and other areas of Russia. Also becoming common such items as metal trays of Zhostovo and Nizhnetagilskij plants.

At this time in high society, in the salons, and among the intelligentsia it has become fashionable for men to drink tea from a carved glass, inserted in the elegant silver holders. Glass with holder established in Russia for a long time. And, of course, almost every house has a samovar — the central figure of Russian tea party.

Duma-father, the author of the culinary dictionary, wrote: "The best tea is drunk in St. Petersburg and whole in Russia", and this is explained by the fact that tea is extremely suffering from long-term maritime transport to all European countries, only Russia can import tea directly from China by land.

Passion for tea by the middle of the XIX century embraced the broad masses of the Russian population. It was consumed by aristocrats and ordinary citizens, it became popular even among peasants and serfs. The merchants and coachmen were the main experts in the tea, which was served in all restaurants, taverns and inns.

Distribution of drinking tea even born new words associated with this tradition. For example, in Russia unofficial extra payment for services became known as "for tea", as opposed to any other countries, where there are similar forms of payments.

This time high-quality Chinese teas were not available to the poor people, and there was a large number of substitutional drinks that were produced either by replacement of the tea leaves, or a mixture with dried herbs, fruits, berries, and others. For instance, became widespread "Kaporsky" beverage made from dried willow-herb — Ivan-tea. In St. Petersburg, the tea with jasmine became popular .

In the 60-ies of the XIX century, the Chinese tea monopoly was broken, and on the world market tea from India came first, then from Japan, and Ceylon.

The first tea bush was planted in Russia in 1814 in Nikitinsky botanical garden, but the experiment has failed.

In 1847, near Batum it was the first attempt to cultivate the tea plant in Russia: industrialist Solovtsov put the first small tea plantation around the city. In 1861 it was harvested, alas, the tea was terrible due to the lack of knowledge and experience.

By the end of the XIX century. Russia, like England, finally becomes a tea state. New Oriental Railways have drastically reduced the time and cost of tea delivery. In these years the first shipments of tea from India and Ceylon began - the tea was delivered by sea to Odessa and from there transported around the country. Tea price has fallen sharply, and it became a daily drink.

By the beginning of XX century  tea companies turnover in Russia amounts to hundreds of millions rubles a year, Russia became the absolute leader in the world of tea consumption. The most famous tea companies: "Vysotsky and K", "S.Perlov", "Peter Botkin," "Caravan," "Brothers and K. S.Popovy", "Vasily Petrov", "Medvedev," "Klimushkin".

The XX century was not very easy in Russian history. The country has experienced several revolutions, civil, and two world wars, suffered huge human, material and spiritual losses. There were changed economic, political and cultural foundations, appeared and disappeared customs and traditions.

However, the tradition of Russian tea drinking has not disappeared, and only a bit changed. The famous Russian samovar almost disappeared from the table, though some, especially rural, families carefully maintained samovar tea tradition .

In the family circle, friends and acquaintances, in cafes and restaurants it is accustomed to drink tea from porcelain or ceramic dishes.

In some institutions, canteens, trains tea is often served in a glasses with brass or bronze holders. Silver holders are rarely used, only in cases when they want to emphasize the wealth and status of the hosts.

In the middle of XX century in Russia, part of the Soviet Union, they drank only five types of tea — Ceylon, Indian, Georgian, Azerbaijani and Krasnodar. These were primarily black teas, low and average quality.

Chinese tea has become a rarity because of political friction with China, while in China export of tea greatly reduced.

At the end of the XX century the  packaged teas became widespread in the world , which is in demand because of the convenience and speed of preparation, particularly in the offices. However, the traditional Russian tea drinking does not imply the use of tea bags and still includes leaf tea brewing procedure.

Today, we can enjoy the variety of tea. Nowdays in Russia high quality tea is available, people learn to distinguish subtle shades of tea taste. Tea is also still dear to the hearts of Russian people and remains his faithful companion.

Tea ceremony types.

In tsarist Russia there were several types of tea ceremony.

Firstly, the nobles-aristocrats with little difference copied the English tea tradition. Such tea party was popular in the salons of St. Petersburg and Moscow. This meant slow drinking from a beautiful porcelain tableware with a small set of additional food. Tea was accompanied by small talk on abstract themes and cultural programs: singing, reading poetry, playing musical instruments.

Secondly, there was a merchant-landlord culture of tea drinking. A samovar and a large number of sweets and food was obligatory. Tea served with honey, jam, pies with various fillings, cookies, cakes, bagels, etc. Strong tinctures and balms were added. Often these tea parties were a cunning way to avoid starving during religious fasts.

Third, there was a philistine type of the Tea Party. Philistines are officials, civil servants, shopkeepers, etc. This subculture is characterized by the union of "noble" and "merchant" tea drinking. From the first philistines tried to adopt an abundance of food on the tables, and from the other — accompany by a cultural program.

Fourth, there was a subculture of Russian tea catering. In any restaurant there were "tea table" where customers could try the best tradition of "merchant" tea.

Fifth, tea tradition of simple folk — the workers and peasants could be distinguished.

Russian classic writers repeatedly mentioned and described in their works the tradition of tea drinking. Pushkin, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov were connoisseurs and tea lovers, considered it as a drink not only for the body but for the soul.

In today's society, where class division is blurry, the types of tea party are classified according to the objectives of the event. Tea can be arranged within the family, for friends, for colleagues and official guests. Thus it determines the dishes, treats and the approximate program of tea party.

Features of Russian tea drinking.

Distinctive features of tea drinking in Russia — a wealth of dishes and sweets, serving grace. With tea large amounts of treats served — various pastries, jams, snacks other goodies, lump sugar and lemon are necessary. In addition, to tea it can be served a variety of additives, which can change tea flavor and taste. Such additives can be fresh or dried fruit or vegetables, herbs or sweet liqueur.

Tea drinking generally is a long procedure, they drink six or seven cups in a row in a variety of situations — during the celebrations, with family, friends and business meetings. Tea in Russia has always been the occasion for a long leisurely and good-natured conversation, a way of reconciliation and solve business problems. Communication is a most important thing in Russian tea party. Many tea, refreshments, pleasant company and discuss any issues and topics — here are components of tea ceremony in Russian.

With regard to the technology of preparation, there are 3 options of making tea. The most "Russian" is considered to be the way when the water is heated in a samovar. Samovar is heated with fir cones or birch wood chips. In addition to convenience and beauty, samovars appreciated for their "musicality". Before boiling this simple device begins to emit sounds — to "sing", and this song gives a special comfort to feast. Tea is brewed in a large teapot that is placed on top of the samovar, tea is drunk without addition of water or sugar. 

In the second case tea is brewed in a large thick-walled porcelain teapot, retains heat for a long time. The lid of teapot  must necessarily have a hole for steam to escape. Teapot pour over by boiling water, the tea leaves are added and covered with a special tea warmer so that the spout remains open, otherwise the tea will change its taste. Three — five minutes the tea in teapot is treated with vapoure. Then tea is "married". This means that part of the tea from teapot poured into a cup. Then it is poured back. Thus all tea suspended particles settle to the bottom of the teapot. All this gives a tasty flavored drink with saturated color. Tea is not diluted with water.

There is a third way, which appeared in the middle of the XX century and is still popular in Russia. Strong tea is brewed, then it poured into cups and hot water added to.

Attributes of Russian tea drinking.

World famous Russian tea attribute — a samovar. In ancient times, similar devices were used in Iran, China and Japan. Similar high device existed even in the ancient Rome. As already mentioned, the Russian samovar was brought by Peter I from Holland.

Russian masters altered and improved it. The best items made in Tula, where masters competed in the ability to give a samovar special grace and perfection. The samovar was not just a container for boiling water, but the real work of art.

An integral part of the tea ceremony became tea sets — the subject of dreams and pride of any Russian hostess.

From the time of Elizabeth, who founded the Imperial Porcelain Factory, and Catherine II the quality of family tea sets does not give up to any Oriental or European ceramic products. The items of Gzhel, Dulevo and Verbilki factories are popular all over the world.

A saucer has a special role in Russian tea party. Among the merchants and the peasantry it was accusomed to drink tea from a saucer, with a bit of sugar or sweets. However, in the aristocratic society, this habit was considered as a vulgar one. When the cup on the saucer returned, it meant that tea drinking is over. The same meaning had the inverted cup or spoon left in the cup.

Special colorful pads that cover the teapot are used to keep warm! They are made of a dense fabric, also present samples of national decorative art. They shaped cocks, fabulous animals or dolls.

Another marvelous attribute of the Russian tea drinking — glass holder. Originally a purely functional thing for holding hot glass of tea, it also has become a piece of art. Primarily the holder was wooden, then silver, and even decorated with majolica. Only men drank tea from glasses with holders, ladies was supposed to drink tea from a cup. Now mainly the brass and bronze holders are used. They are decorated with various patterns, images of thematic subjects, figures of people and animals.

Tea tradition is an integral part of Russian culture and the Russian people. It continues to be loved and respected for all strata of Russian society. Deeveloped through the centuries, the culture of tea drinking has acquired special significance and is the original card of Russia.