Though tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world, the way it is consumed differs from one culture to another. In India, for instance, tea or chai is a blend of black tea, milk and sugar all boiled together. It is often paired with spicy savouries such as pakoras and namkeen mixtures. Also, cardamom, ginger, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon and tulsi are put in the tea for that extra spicy flavour. If you want to how people around the world have tea, here are some interesting facts on tea cultures of the world: 

  • In Russia, tea is flavoured with jam: The drink that Russia is often associated with is vodka. But you will be surprised to know that the humble cup of tea gives vodka very good competition. The most common preparation of tea is called zavarka. It is a black tea, sweetened with honey or sugar. Often when people drink zavarka, they put a spoonful of jam in their mouths and then sip the tea through the jam. The hot tea melts the jam, offering a unique taste. The Russian tea is prepared in a special metal container called the samovar. The samovar is the centerpiece of the Russian table. Wealthy families have samovar made out of precious metals and they are part of the family heirloom. 

 

  • In China, tea is an important part of wedding celebrations: The tea is an inseparable part of Chinese culture.  Traditional Chinese tea ceremonies are often held during weddings. As part of the tea ceremony, the bride and groom serve tea to their respective families, including parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other elders. The bride and groom receive gifts from elders and the tea ceremony is a sign of the unification of the two families. Interestingly,  the used tea leaves are often placed in a bowl for guests to see and appreciate the quality of tea leaves. 

 

  • In the UK, it’s common to host tea parties: It is quite well known that the British drink tea several times a day. Traditional afternoon tea and high tea are a big part of their culture. A traditional afternoon tea is enjoyed with scones, sandwiches and cakes. A high tea, however, is quite fancy and it is served with a heavy meal that has meat dishes, vegetables and baked food. It is offered in the early evening and is like a light dinner served with tea.  Favourite teas for afternoon tea and high tea are black teas such as Assam tea or Darjeeling tea. 

 

  • In Japan, tea is prepared in a choreographed manner: The Japanese tea ceremony is called Chanoyu, which means ‘the way of tea’.  Tea is prepared in a certain way and served in a traditional tea room on a straw mat flooring. The whole purpose of the ceremony is to ensure that the guests enjoy the hospitality of the host. Today, there are many places in Japan where tourists can experience the ceremony. 

Although each tea drinking culture differs from one another, one thing in common: good quality tea. If you are looking for good-quality CTC masala tea that is richly flavoured with spices, explore our wide range of masala tea. From Kolkata street CTC masala chai to Punjabi Dhaba CTC Masala Chai, our flavoured teas are an exquisite blend of the finest-quality graded tea and traditionally-grown spices.