Tea cult in the Yenisei province of the XIX century

It was a discovery for us that at the end of the 18th century tea was a very expensive commodity and a symbol of well-being, and by the middle of the 19th century Siberia consumed Chinese tea more than any other Russian territory per capita! Tea drinking first turned into a cult, and then became an integral part of our life. A.N. Radishchev even complained that once you came to visit a Siberian, “you will get 6 or 8 tea cups,” and one of the European travelers noted: “... tea for a Siberian is like potato for an Irishman; many people drink 40 cups a day. ”

Residents of the Yenisei province loved flower tea, black long leaf, green, tiled tea, and the most popular was brick tea. Traditionally, during a tea party, a large samovar was put on the table. There was a bowl for rinsing cups near the mistress, as the remnants of the tea that was drunk at the bottom spoiled the taste of the new portion. Tea ware was earthenware, and sweets, nuts, dried fruits and pserves were served in crystal vases. Honey was served as a separate dish. People dunked bread or, oddly enough, fresh cucumbers into it. Sugar was more expensive than honey, people bought it in big amounts, but spent it sparingly, they drank tea with it just a bit of bite. It was believed that sugar spoils the taste of tea.

After reading, do you also want a cup of tea? If so, make a repost and warm the kettle ☕

Source: kraevushka.livejournal.com