In different parts of the world tea is prepared in many different ways. Here are some interesting tea traditions:
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Japan is well known for its special tea ceremony. According to tradition, a geisha should prepare the tea. Geishas study the art of conducting the ceremony in special courses. The drink is prepared in a bamboo container with powdered green tea, which they mix with hot water and stir it energetically until it starts foaming. They do not sweeten tea.
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In Tibet, just like us in Bulgaria, they make tea by mixing various herbs. What is unusual is that they put butter so that it protects their lips from the sun and the cold. Sometimes salt is added.
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In Russia tea is prepared in a special kettle called ‘samovar’, a decorated heated metal container. Water is heated in a samovar and it is used to dilute the strong pre-made concentrate of black or green tea. This concentrate is prepared in a separate pot similar to a kettle, which is placed on top of the samovar, so that it does not get cold. It is diluted with hot water according to the desired density of the drink. Earlier the samovars were heated by using coals.
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In China they also know the good qualities of herbs. In the past, they rolled them together with tea leaves. Then they steeped the roll in water with some salt and sometimes added milk to it.
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Black tea is among the most popular drinks in Turkey. It is traditionally prepared very strong and served in small glasses with lots of sugar. In most hotels, tea is available when meeting and seeing off their guests.
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Most popular in Iran is black tea. They use big sugar cubes to slowly sweeten the drink.
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In Britain tea is traditionally served at 5 o’clock in the afternoon with cakes and biscuits or other treats and they call it "five o'clock tea". Adding milk is very popular and sometimes even jam is added to enrich the taste of tea.
