The Art Of Tea Drinking

After a recent trip to Sarajevo, we decided to have a tour with a local guide to get to know more of the city. Expecting him to talk mainly about the Bosnian war, we were surprised when the majority of the trip was spent discussing, well tea! Yes, as in the drinkable kind. When it came to discussing the hot beverage, our guide became quite animated. There are rules, he said. In Sarajevo a person can't simply pour tea into a cup and start drinking. There certain steps which must be followed. This was the same for coffee too. But even more so. At the mention of coffee, our guide began a 20 minute talk on the dos and don'ts of coffee drinking.

It really got me thinking. As a Brit I cherish my cup of tea in the morning. But that's understandable isn't it? I'm English. That's what the English like. However, tea holds a distinct place in many cultures, with multiple customs and rituals for drinking it. After all, tea was first drunk by the Chinese before it traveled to Europe right? 

Here are a few of the tea rituals which are  performed across the globe:

Turkey

Tea drinking has never been taken more seriously than it is here.  With the highest consumption in the world, Turkish tea is always a rasping orange colour, and taken without milk. It is common practice to dip cubes of sugar in the liquid before sucking on them. The tea here is especially beautiful, with curved-shaped and clear glasses with elaborately decorated saucers. 

India

It is considered impolite to accept a cup of tea when it is first offered to you. Only when the host insists, should you gracefully accept. God that takes up a lot of time!

China

In this country you should thank your tea server by gently tapping on the table twice with your index and middle fingers.

Tibet

Tea is commonly brewed with salt and butter. Very strange. 

Japan

You may add milk and sugar to your tea, but only once you have tasted it the way it has been served to you. Failing to do this is seen as a major insult to your host. 

Morocco

Atai (Moroccan tea culture) is defined by the way green tea is prepared and consumed in Morocco. When drinking tea, a person must not talk about business or serious matters, but instead keep it social. So when drinking tea with a shopkeeper, don't talk prices until the glasses are empty.

Argentina

Don't use the straw to stir mate (tea). The leaves floating on the top should remain dry. 

Russia

Tea is considered the national drink here and is drunk out of glasses.

England

Now this one made me laugh. After stirring, place your spoon on the saucer behind the cup, its handle pointing the same way as the cup's. This may have been true a hundred years ago, but now the times have changed. Tea drinking is so common in households that it has just merged into every day life. Now all you have to do is pop the kettle on and grab a teabag, (and maybe a chocolate biscuit) and voila! Your brew is served! 

Now I might go make myself a cuppa...