Travel for Food Hub The Food Blog for Travel Lovers
Last Updated on May 2, 2023
Nowadays drinking organic tea has become trendy, but as you probably know, the tea ceremony is an ancestral tradition that varies from country to country. It is said that the tradition of having tea dates back to the pre-Christan era in China. One famous folklore tales that come from this mysterious land is that of a Chinese Emperor Shennong who discovered that the hot boiling water was giving out a good aroma when a random leaf fell in it. This was how the concept of the tea came into existence.
With a rich history and culture surrounding tea consumption, tea rituals and ceremonies around the world are different and unique to each society.
Now let’s go into the depth on the tea traditions each of these nations follow in particular. Here is your chance to learn about the differences in the tea ceremony and tea-drinking protocol around the world:
1. China
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The very first that makes to the top amongst the best tea tourism destination is none other than from tea originated, China. The traditional Chinese tea ceremony Gongfu Tea is a very precise undertaking of serving the drink in small pots and cups of exquisite design.
The customs to drink tea in China include a tureen, strainers, tongs, tea towels, a brewing tray and cups that are generally used to sniff and not drink. During this ceremony, the guest should smell the leaf before it is brewed. Also, locals warm the cups with the first brewed tea. Then, the guest drinks the tea and it is poured by placing the cups in a circle and pouring it from a height at one go until each cup is full.
Before drinking the tea, the invitees are expected to cradle the cup and saucer (if provided) and savour it slowly and enjoy the flavour and cradle it also when the tea is over to indulge in the aroma released from the empty cup.
2. India
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India is amongst the largest producers and has the largest population who consume tea in the Indian subcontinent. The tea in India is known as the chai which is a mixture of black tea leaves with spices such as cinnamon, ginger, lemon slices (optional). It is part of their day-to-day life or you can have it on the go from the local “chai-wallahs” who have their stalls (mobile or in a building) at every nook and corner of the streets across the country.
These chai wallahs, generally brew the tea and serve in small earth clay cups or glass cups. Tea is also served to any house or office guests as a mark of respect and refreshment. Similar to the Russsian tradition, here too it is rude to serve the tea “naked” to the guests. Therefore the chai or tea is served with snacks.
3. England
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The people of England first got to know about the tea during the 17th century. And the tradition of afternoon tea came into being two centuries later. The tradition of afternoon tea was introduced by the seventh Duchess of Bedford who noticed that there must be a small meal in between the two main meals of the day.
The tradition also indicates that the afternoon tea must not be served alone. So tea in England is served with cakes, pastries or cookies. This slowly became with the elite and later on, all across the country. Today tea is a part of their day-to-day life evident from the tea gardens across the country where customers have tea with snacks in a beautiful setting.
One of the best places to enjoy the Grand Hotel Afternoon Tea is in the Park Grand London Lancaster gate, where you will find a selection of the best traditional English, chocolate and Indian inspired afternoon tea menus.
4. Thailand
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The next country we will be talking about is Thailand, one of the many neighbours of China where the Chinese fled during a war at home during the early 1950s. When they fled to Thailand due to the fear of persecution, they bought their old home culture to their new abode.
The uniqueness of the Thai tea lies in the way it is prepared. This tea is a combination of both Ceylon and Assam tea with a mixture of items such as sugar, condensed milk, tamarind served in a tall glass with ice cubes laced in it. This gives the tea a sweet and spicy flavour that suits well with the Thai culture’s spicy cuisine and refreshing treat the country has for most of the time of the year due to the humid and hot weather.
5. Russia
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In Russia, the tea is known as Savarkar, which is a loose-leaf highly concentrated tea is prepared in a container known as samovar and is served in large mugs. As per their customs, it is strictly forbidden to fill up the mugs. Usually, people have strong black tea without sugar, but guests are offered sugar and milk if they need to add it to sweeten up and make their drink less strong. As per their traditions, it is not polite to serve the tea alone, therefore the tea is served with cookies or crackers.
So the next time you are in any of these nations for a tour, either on holiday or travelling for business, do not miss out on any of these tea traditions. The tea ceremony in these countries will surely fascinate you and make your tours to destinations more memorable.
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