Lifestyle

Cup of Tea around the World

Written by Lisa Fleming on 24 May, 2019 0

Tea, like green tea, is the second most consumed drink in the world next to water. And a part of that, its tradition and culture has also evolved over the centuries. In the following, let’s take a peek at tea traditions in these countries.

Moroccan tea tradition

One of the largest importers of tea around the world, Morocco also has one of the longest traditions of drinking tea, which has been given so much attention and care the local who believe it signifies friendship and hospitality.

Tea is served the whole day especially at mealtimes. Its ingredients usually include green tea, gunpowder tea, sugar and mint leaves. Nuts may also be added.

But during the winter, wormwood may be used instead of mint leaves or lemon verbena.

It is prepared by the head of the family and is an art that the locals pass from one generation to the next.

Tea preparation is called the atai, which is usually done in front of guests. However, the ingredients may not be the same across regions and season change. One thing remains the same though – Moroccan hospitality.

It is poured from a teapot of at least 12 inches high, and it should form foam. Or else, it needs more steeping because it is unready for serving.

Knowing how to pour tea in that height is a sign that the host/hostess is experienced.

Argentinian tea tradition

Argentina is another known destination in the world for tea drinking culture and tradition.

Here, mate is the most famous drink usually consumed along with a group of people.

A cup of it is usually passed around and shared to everyone. The locals also consume it alone, as they would drink coffee.

When you visit this country, you might be invited in for a mate, a drink also offered due to hospitality and respect. So as a guest, you should not refuse the invitation or you’d be taken as someone rude.

The host will boil water and then prepare the mate cup. He/she will then leave the hot water pot to refill the cup readily. The preparer will be the first one to sip tea before offering it to guests. Or else, he/she will be considered rude.

And as a part of the tradition, the host will also pass the gourd to his/her right once he’s satisfied with the mate.

The person to whom the gourd is first passed to will drink the most of what’s in it before returning it to the preparer, who will then add more water and sugar before giving it to the next person.

All the people in the group will use the same gourd and straw. You don’t have to worry about infection or germs because one who is sick doesn’t join in to respect the others.

Drinking this tea is ritualized with its procedures and conventions fixed and never broken.

Some tips in drinking yerba mate include,

Do not nurse but drink it quickly.
Be sure to compliment the cebador.
Enjoy and share it.
Do not suck and slurp so much.
Do not pass it in the wrong order.

Indian tea tradition

Called the “Land of the Chai Tea,” India produces and drinks more tea versus other countries and is the largest exporter of tea in the world.

But while tea plants are indigenous to the Northwestern part of the country, it was not famous or a part of the Indian diet until the British started producing it in 1850.

Chai is the country’s most famous and national drink, which is served virtually everywhere, such as in crowded places like train stations.

If you’re invited to an Indian house, you can expect milk tea that is both sweet and spicy.

Chinese tea tradition

A tea ceremony contains an oriental philosophy, reflecting a mix of ideas, including Confucian, Taoism and Buddhism.

With the entire ceremony, including the preparation and appreciation of tea, virtue is improved and more friendships are developed.

Through the tea drinking ceremony, traditional etiquette are also learned.

The tea drinking ceremony, which is the tea culture’s core, can clear thoughts and refresh the mind.

In weddings, both the bride and groom should serve tea to their parents while kneeling in the process. It signifies that the newlyweds are thankful to their parents who brought them up in this world or they won’t be there now.

As a sign of respect, tea also has to do with it because tea is a way of showing respect to the older ones through a cup of tea.

Traditions have evolved, too. Now, parents can also serve tea to their kids or bosses to their employees, and that’s acceptable.

If you also committed a mistake and wanted to apologize, you don’t simply do it with a “Sorry” but with a cup of tea. Serving tea and apologizing signifies regret for the mistake you have done and a sign of submissiveness.

Russian tea tradition

Black tea is served hot alongside are milk and sugar so that others will have the choice to dilute or sweeten their tea.

However, tea is served with food or it will be considered rude. So in this country, teatime also means time for foods like pies, candies, cookies or biscuits. But for close friends, sometimes bread, cheese, crackers and sausage can be served.

If invited for a tea, you should also drink your tea without eating any of the snacks served. Even a little of this and that will do. Otherwise, the host, who stocks snacks brought out to guests, might feel offended if you don’t eat something from what she prepared along with tea.