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ronin1
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| Joined: | Saturday January 21st, 2006 |
| Location: | S.F. Bay Area, California USA |
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Posted: Saturday May 6th, 2006 05:34 pm |
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Russian Women and Their Tea…
I was drinking my morning tea and realized how important this ritual is to the Russian Woman. Here are some of my observations.
Russians call it “chai.” Just as RM are fond of vodka, RW are the same with chai (without the after-affects of course). Chai drinking has been adopted in many cultures, however RW have a special affinity to this ritual.
Traditionally, the hot water is heated in a samovar or tea kettle. The chai is prepared in a china tea server what may often have a built-in strainer at the base of the spout. Dried tea leafs are steeped strong in the server. Traditionally, there can be as many as 3 servers of different teas or tea blends.
Nowadays, there is often just one tea server or chai bags are used. Many Russians still have a samovar, however if is in working condition it is used only on special occasions. The guests will be poured chai from the server until the desired level is reached. This is signaled by the guest saying, “spasbi.” Then the balance will be filled with hot water from a samovar or more likely a teakettle to dilute the strong brew.
What is notable is that RW like to sample many different blends in order to find the best chai for them. Many drink chai black while others add compote (jams) to add more flavor. Flavored teas are also popular among RW. Russia has an abundance of wild growing herbs, so herb teas are enjoyed as well. Often, thin lemon slices with a thick layer of sugar are served. This can be eaten directly or put into the chai. Rarely do Russians drink chai with milk. Currently, Russia is in the middle of a fad of somethings Japanese. This brings green teas to their tables.
The chai is joined with a combination of breads, cakes, pastries, chocolates, candies, meats and compotes. Chai is rarely drunk with out the accompanying foods, especially when there are guests present.
A visit to any RW household is not complete without one or more cups of chai. Chai can be served at any time. Normally at the end of every meal chai is partaken. Typically between meals it is served for breaks at work or as pick me up or snacks at home. Due to the Northern latitudes, dinners are often had at about early evening. That means that chai can be served up to ~9 pm of so. If one ever wondered why RW stay up so late (1 or 2 in the morning), this is perhaps why.
When RW come to the States, their tea drinking habits stay the same for about a year or two. Once they start to settle into the new culture and have a job with a bunch of other responsibilities, then they adopt decaffeinated teas. At the same time they start to go to bed at a more reasonable hour. I wonder why?
So that is my take on Russian chai.
- Russian-Crafts - Russian Tea Ceremony (added 03/07)
Ronin
Last edited on Sunday March 25th, 2007 04:55 pm by ronin1
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Russophile
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| Joined: | Saturday March 24th, 2007 |
| Location: | Oklahoma USA |
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Posted: Saturday March 24th, 2007 08:30 am |
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My Russian wife and I drink tea all the time. Even our two year old asks for tea.  Usually, we drink it between two and three times per day. Well, ok probably more like five or six times per day. If tea were bad for you, we would be dead already. 
If you have a Russian wife, something like this hot water electric kettle is required. If you have a Russian moving in with you, buy one before she arrives. This electric hot water kettle is a prerequisite to a Russian wife. From my experience though, what she would really love is an instant hot water dispenser built in the sink. We have one and my wife thinks that it is fantastic. There is no more waiting on chai!
Speaking of tea, I am off to get another cup.
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