Discover teas from around the world
What makes the world go round? Our answer is, of course, tea! It is steeped in culture, which has made it a favorite drink of many people for centuries. As you might guess, different countries often have their own preferred way of preparing and serving the infusion . From Chai in India to English Afternoon in the UK , there are many fascinating tea cultures on every continent. Let's look at some of them.
EnglishAfternoon
Tea was introduced to England around the 17th century. However , it took over 200 years for English Afternoon to become part of everyday life . Afternoon tea is as synonymous with British culture as the royal family. According to folklore, afternoon tea was introduced by the Duchess of Bedford . Dinner was served at her residence around 8 p.m., but the duchess was already starting to feel hungry. So she instructed her staff to organize a small meal around 4 p.m. , which would include tea , as well as various cakes and small sandwiches .
Masala Chai
Masala Chai , which translates to " spicy tea ", is undoubtedly the most popular brew in India . As the country is the world's largest producer and consumer of tea , you can find chai stalls dotting the streets throughout the country . Although sellers choose to add their own additional flavor accents , all chai have the same base : black tea mixed with milk, sugar and spices such as cardamom, fennel, cinnamon and cloves.
Moroccan Mint
The Moroccan Mint has become a symbol of Moroccan culture around the world. Not only is tea an essential part of this culture , but it is also widespread throughout North Africa . It is usually served throughout the day with both sweet and savory snacks . The infusion also represents one of the rare occasions where sugar is added to green tea . Moroccan Mint is traditionally prepared with green tea , sugar and fresh mint leaves.
Taiwanese Bubble Tea
Unlike its counterparts, Bubble Tea is the latest innovation in the world of tea. It is typically prepared with black iced tea mixed with powdered milk and sugar syrup . It owes its distinctive flavor and texture to its " bubbles ," which are actually tiny tapioca balls that provide a chewy treat! Like the discovery of tea in China, the invention of bubble tea in Taiwan was also a coincidence . This tea was discovered in 1988 when Lin Hsiu Hui dropped some tapioca balls from the fen yuan dessert into iced tea.
Russian Zavarka
Tea traditions originated in Russia at a time when food and drinks had to be distributed to serve as many people as possible . It was then that zavarka , a strong black tea brewed in a small metal container called a samovar, was created. It is served in large cups , but they are never completely filled . Russians usually drink pure tea , but the hosts offer milk , sugar and snacks . Serving zavarka without cookies, crackers or other snacks is considered extremely rude .
If you are a tea lover , you should try different types of infusion and see which one you like best . Many connoisseurs do not know that there are many ways to prepare and serve tea . Trying new connections is a great way to learn about foreign cultures while quenching your thirst !
