The paradox of the modern world is that today we are used to drinking a cup of tea almost on the run, but once upon a time whole ceremonies were dedicated to this drink. The leaf of the plant Camelia Sinensis (Chinese camellia) is still covered in many legends in its homeland. In China there are certain traditions of the tea ceremony. Often it is accompanied by meditation (because this drink allows you to concentrate consciousness), as well as conversation. About what? Of course, about tea. The guest is simply obliged to pay tribute to its aroma, rich color, delicate taste. And why do not we abandon the hustle and bustle of life and turn tea drinking into a kind of solemn ritual? So we will not only arrange a holiday for the soul, but also feel the taste of the drink deeper.
Some tea secrets
But did you know that despite the huge variety of varieties, almost all of them come from the same plant. Yes, and black, and green tea, and oolong are the leaves of one bush - Chinese camellia. Why does the brewing raw material have a different color, saturation, strength, aroma? The thing is the ability of the tea leaf to oxidize in the air. As soon as it is torn off, it begins to brown (like the flesh of an apple, which also changes color when in contact with oxygen). If you immediately fry the freshly picked leaves or steam them, you get green tea. If you slow down a little, let it oxidize, and then heat up, oolong will come out. And black tea is obtained when leaves are given time to brown in the air. The tea table in European traditions mainly deals with the last grade. We’ll talk about this.
Ceremony evolution
In China, tea is fanned by many ancient legends, claiming that this divine drink was known as far back as 5 millennium BC, and Buddha himself enjoyed it. But the first written sources about the wonderful bush date back only to 770 years BC. e. The name of the author is known - Lu Yu. But at that time there was no one tradition of brewing tea. Everyone drank what much. Since the 10th century e. the following method began to prevail: tea leaves were crushed to a state of fine powder, and then whipped in water until a thick foam. But in our time, such a method remained only in Japan. And why? Because in the 13th century, Mongol tribes captured China. Nomads had no time to grind tea leaves and beat them with special devices. It was much easier to pour boiling water over them. The Mongol invasion radically changed tea traditions not only in China, but also in Europe, where the drink penetrated in the 17th century.
Classic ceremony
Japan was a country closed to foreigners until the 19th century. Therefore, Europe borrowed the culture of drinking tea from China. English and Dutch merchants, followed by the aristocracy and common people began to brew leaves as they did in the Celestial Empire even during the Ming Dynasty, that is, they poured boiling water over them and insisted a little. But Chinese tea drinking is not just a consumption of a drink, but a whole philosophy. And it was lost by importers who brought the leaves of Camellia sinensis to Europe. In China, even a tea table setting - a shepherd table, bowls, a porcelain jar for brewing gaiwan - has a symbolic meaning. Low cups of chabei mean feminine energy, and tall cups of wensabei mean masculine. It is unlikely that European merchants suspected all these subtleties. Therefore, tea on a new cultural basis has found its traditions. Let's look at them.
Tea table in European traditions
Any imported product is spread if it is popular with the nobility. This happened in France, where tea was presented as a gift to King Louis the Sun. The presentation was accompanied by explanations that the drink de cures gout. The king, suffering from this disease, began to be treated intensively. And soon, as they say, "got involved." He began to drink because of his taste. And the king and the whole court adopted this fashion. Soon tea drinking became a sign of belonging to the upper world. And since at that time France was considered a trendsetter, the drink became popular in other countries. But even there, consumption ceremonies gradually began to differ from each other. So there was an English tea party, German, Russian.
Pan-European traditions
Since tea was a bonton drink, a sign of taste and belonging to a good society, the surroundings in which it was tasted were also appropriate. However, the philosophy of life, meditation, etc., accompanying the tea ceremony in China, were absent in the Old World. It all came down to a small talk in the richly decorated living room. It was considered to be especially chic to taste tea in a room decorated under the "Chinese" - with vases, carpets, porcelain sets. It is noteworthy that sugar was not put in the drink. In this tea for a long time shared the fate of coffee and cocoa. A tart drink has long been considered purely "masculine." The fair floor intensely jammed tea with all sorts of cakes and pastries. The drink from the pre-meal has turned into a "digestif". Here's what a typical European tea table looks like. The photo shows exquisite porcelain dishes surrounded by vases with various desserts (often with biscuits).
Turkish tea table
A certain tendency was observed in the consumption of this drink. Northern peoples (British, Scandinavians) are very fond of tea. In the south of Europe (Italy, Spain) this drink is inferior to the primacy of coffee. It is understandable: when it’s hot in the yard, reluctant to drink hot tea. Of the southern peoples on the European continent, only the Turks remained faithful to the traditions of the Seljuk nomads. In this country, tea consumption is ahead of coffee. Turks prefer black varieties with the addition of apple or mint. Tea is brewed in a small teapot, which is placed on top of a large container with boiling water. Pour the drink into small 8-shaped glasses, which in Turkish are called "mess". Traditionally, lump sugar is served on it.
Russian traditions
Tea entered our country directly from the north of China. This is evidenced by the word itself. Europeans borrowed tea from the South Chinese dialect, while we took our “tea” from the north. Also, the fashion to add some herbs to the leaf — mint, thyme, lemon wedges — has firmly entered the Russian tradition. This is a modified method of brewing tea in China, where pieces of dates, petals of jasmine or lotus are added to it. But the Russian samovars were borrowed from the Turks. But tea traditions in Russia have enriched the world culture of consumption of this drink ... saucers. The roasting drink freezes faster in flat and wide plates. It’s also delicious to jam sugar in the mouth. Russian tea table in the old traditions implies the obligatory presence of a samovar, pot-bellied cups, saucers, bagels, many vases with various jam and honey. A "hot-water bottle" is often attached to a porcelain or clay vessel with tea leaves - a quilted mitten in the shape of a doll. We have popular Chinese varieties, but still the palm belongs to leaves native to Ceylon or India.
Misty Albion Traditions
This nation hardly consumes coffee. Tea is drunk for breakfast (English breakfest tee), for lunch, at 4 p.m. (5 o'clock tea), and even for lunch (high tea). The British, by the way, and bred a new variety of bush Chinese begonia, acclimatizing it for the conditions of India and Ceylon. Naturally, they prefer these varieties. Unlike Russians, who, according to Chinese tradition, prefer crushed tea, the British brew whole leaflets. English Breakfast Tea - a dark invigorating drink - served with a large British breakfast. The most famous English tea party, without fail occurring from 16.00 to 17.00 daily. Here the drink serves not as an accompaniment to other dishes, but as the main character. Biscuits and other sweets are served for tea. But the hallmark of the 5 o'clock tea ceremony is milk or cream in a special jug.
French ceremony
In this country, tea is not an everyday drink, but because of this special attitude to it. Do not forget that French tea traditions originate from the royal court, and therefore the surroundings should be truly royal. This is for Russians and English to drink tea - a very routine. The Frenchman for this goes to Salon du Te. This salon is a confectionery, in which, in addition to a huge selection of cakes and desserts, there is a wide range of varieties of tea. For a Frenchman, this festive drink is akin to exquisite wine. Therefore, they are anxious about the quality of tea. Varieties with various flavors are extremely popular in the country - bergamot, rose petals, jasmine, slices of zest and others. By the way, there are more such Salons du Te in Paris than in London. The most famous tea house, which has been continuously operating since 1854, is the metropolitan institution “Maryazh Frer”. The drink serves chocolates, desserts.
German traditions
When tea in Europe was just gaining popularity, some German medicine lamp issued a verdict that this drink was draining the face. Nevertheless, France, a trendsetter, influenced the customs of the Germans, and tea began to be consumed more and more often. Especially residents of the northern federal lands succeeded in this. They were influenced by the traditions of the Dutch. In the time of Frederick the Great, the Prussia Trading Company was founded, which specially equipped ships to China for a loose sheet. And now the largest importers of this raw material are located in Hamburg. For a long time, tea was available only in pharmacies. He now has a reputation primarily as a warming drink. The Germans prefer black varieties, in which they add alcohol - rum, madeira, to "boost the sogrev". Tea is part of the punches. At Christmas, it is customary to brew a drink with spices - ginger, cinnamon, cloves.
Call for tea
There are several formats for honoring guests. One of them is a tea table. In European traditions, this format implies a more relaxed atmosphere, not such a strict dress code as, say, at a banquet or cocktail party. But still, for the arrival of guests you need to prepare thoroughly. The same is secretly expected from visitors. If you are invited to tea, bring something from the patisserie with you. For the owner, however, one rule is important: the table is laid before the arrival of guests. But tea is brewed only when everyone has gathered. It will be tactful for the host to inquire: maybe someone prefers coffee? There are people who can’t tolerate tannins. In this case, stock up on herbal "tea." If it’s hot outside, make sure your guests have an ice-ti. This is an invention of Americans from England. In hotter climates (especially in the southern states) they chilled tea and drank it from glasses with ice cubes.
Serving the table
Before we begin, let's think, and what traditions of tea drinking will we inherit? Japanese? We invite guests to sit on bamboo mats and whisk tea whisk with a whisk? Then in Russian! And how many modern people have a samovar? True, you can make a tea table in European traditions "with a Russian accent." How? Very simple. The samovar in this case will replace a large teapot. Reception table can be the most ordinary dining. But the tablecloth is recommended to take the embroidered. To her, you need to pick up napkins - decorated with a national ornament. Saucers must be served on the cups — deeper than usual. On the table, install a sugar bowl with refined sugar - the Russian way involves drinking tea with a bite. Arrange the jams, honey in a bowl. In a saucer, cut the lemon into slices. Both teapots - both large and with tea leaves - should not stand on the table. They are located to the right of the hostess, who pours the guests a pleasantly cup into the cups. And if you are a happy owner of a samovar, set it in the middle of the table on a painted tray.
5 o'clock tea and French tea feast
This format involves a linen tablecloth in pastel colors to match the service. The table for the tea ceremony in English should be small, just below the dinner. On the tablecloth, set candles in candlesticks and put dessert plates. Above them lay napkins - also linen, folded with a pyramid or envelope. Small glasses are placed above the plates (if it is supposed to serve liquor). For English tea drinking, a jug of hot milk is required. By the way, tea is added to it, and not vice versa. Mandatory cupcakes, biscuits, small cakes. If there is no free space, place the desserts in a multi-tiered dish. If you sprinkle tea raw whiskey before brewing, you will get an Irish tea party. An aperitif is served in front of the French banquet - light wines and snacks. The tea table should be oval or round with a pastel-colored tablecloth and matching napkins. Everything is served on a large cupronickel tray: kettle, sugar bowl, creamer. Separately placed desserts. Have a nice tea party!