How tea is taken around the world
From Britain to China – how does the world take its tea?
Tea has been a hugely popular drink around the world for centuries but we don't all drink it the same way.
What are the rules for drinking it in different countries, and who drinks what?
United Kingdom
Here in the UK, tea is an everyday drink and when you’re enjoying a cup at home or work you probably couldn’t care less if you’re ‘breaking the rules’ as to how you serve it. However, sticklers for the rules may still wish to observe some of the practices designed to make enjoying tea a civilised occasion.
According to Debrett’s guide to British etiquette, you should pour tea first and then the milk, lemon or sugar afterwards. Stir your tea and remove the spoon, placing it on the side of the saucer.
Don’t slurp, don’t dunk your biscuits in a formal setting, and don’t clink your spoon against the sides of the cup. Got that?
Ireland
According to statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Ireland consumes more tea per head than the UK. Traditionally served strong with milk and several times a day, it is sometimes accompanied by potato cakes, scones and Irish shortbread.
Since the 1960s, the general blend of tea enjoyed by the Irish has been a mixture of Assam and Ceylon tea leaves, coming under the general label of Irish breakfast tea. As with the tea found in Britain, you can find Irish breakfast tea in bags and as loose leaves.
India
In India, the traditional way to take tea is by brewing black tea and mixing it with aromatic herbs, creating masala chai. It’s generally brewed with milk in the pot, which is unusual as most cultures who add milk will do so after serving the tea.
The spices used vary, athough they’ll generally include warm flavours like ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg – but many more can be added to enhance the tea.
Seychelles
It is common in the Seychelles to drink tea infused with vanilla, lemongrass, strawberry, cinnamon, mint or orange. These are produced by the SeyTé tea company which is based on the islands. The plantation has existed since 1945, but only began to grow tea in 1966.
Turkey
The traditional Turkish tea is called rize or çay (pronounced chai). It’s named for the Rize Province where it is grown, and is drunk black, strong, and with lumps of beet sugar to sweeten it.
It’s traditionally served boiling hot in small tulip-shaped glasses and is delicious when drunk alongside baklava or other sweet Turkish treats. Turks are also known for their love of coffee, which they prepare as an unfiltered drink.
Coffee beans are ground and boiled in a pot, and the resultant mixture is then poured out along with the grounds, which settle at the bottom of the cups. It's usually very strong and often has sugar added.
United Arab Emirates
The Emirati cuisine traditionally features a red tea served at the end of the meal, which is often infused with mint to aid digestion. Other spices may also be used such as lemongrass or cinnamon. This is normally served in glasses similar to those found in Turkey.
If you find yourself in the UAE, seek out one of the many cafés which serves traditional Arabic tea for afternoon refreshment. You'll also be able to try an iced jallab drink, which is a diluted syrup made from grape molasses and dates and is equally delicious.
Morocco
Moroccans, along with residents of many other north African countries, enjoy Maghrebi tea, which is prepared with spearmint leaves and sugar. This can be served hot or cold, and is served at least three times during the visit of a guest. It is considered impolite to refuse the offer of tea.
Maghrebi tea is easily found in Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania, and is consumed throughout the day at tea bars. As alcohol is not generally consumed in these countries, these could be considered analagous to the pubs and bars of Europe.
China
Bonnie Yeung, daughter of chef Harry Yeung MBE, is making some of the rarest teas in China available at the UK through the family restaurant. She’ll be opening her first teahouse later this year in the north of England, which will stock high grade Pu’er, Shou Mee and Shui Xin teas.
She says that tea drinking in China is a cultural badge of esteem, and a ceremony should be observed. You should use your finest china, dress up and use tea leaves and a teapot, not teabags. “When indulging in Yum Cha (tea drinking) it’s considered gracious to serve others tea from the pot before yourself,” she says. “Ensure you refill their cups before they’re completely empty and without being asked.”
Apparently, one should show their desire for a refill by lightly knocking on the table with the knuckles of the index and middle finger. “Centuries ago, when Chinese emperors poured tea for their companions,” Bonnie explains, emperors would travel amongst regular folk, but no one knew who he was except for his inner circle. Their bent fingers represented a bow, showing their respect for him without giving up his identity in public.
Japan
Japan is known for its famous green teas, as well as its elaborate tea ceremonies – the performance is part of the enjoyment of the tea itself. There are several ceremonies which can be performed, and the actions of each are very specific.
For instance, in the chabako temae, the tea cups, kettle and so forth are removed from a special 'chabako' box prior to the ceremony and replaced after it is complete. It is also quite typical for the tea ceremony to feature a flower arrangement and sometimes a meal.
Teas such as matcha and gyokoru are produced in very small quantities in Japan, making them both exclusive and expensive, but many tea-lovers would argue that you get what you pay for with these fine teas.
Russia
Apparently 82% of Russians consume tea daily, which isn’t surprising when you consider some of the northern longitudes the country stretches up to.
A warming brew is much needed in the northern winter, so tea has become a very popular drink to consume at any time of day, much like here in the UK.
Have you had an interesting tea experience in another country? Let us know in the comments box below.
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