Russian Samovar Tea

Our Russian Samovar Tea has a robust character. It is a blend that honours the historic tastes. This black tea is usually made using a traditional samovar. It is an ancient urn that gently boils water and infuses the tea with a special flavor.

You can make this tea with a samovar or modern methods. It has a rich, full taste with sweet, woody, and earthy notes. All can enjoy this symphony of flavor that surpasses cultures.

Besides its rich taste, our Russian Samovar Tea is invigorating. It has about 45 mg of caffeine per 8-ounce serving. This vitalising property makes it a splendid morning or midday pick-me-up. Also, it is linked to the health benefits of black tea. It provides more than just a sensory experience.

We pack our Russian Tea Samovar fresh when ordered. This ensures that every cup you brew is at its freshest and best.

What is a Russian Samovar?

The samovar is an emblem of Russia. It is key to the old ritual of making Leaf Tea in Russia. Samovars are mostly made from metal. They have evolved from ancient pottery, like one found in present-day Azerbaijan. It dates back about 3,700 years.

The samovar evolved a lot. A big milestone came in 1778. That's when the famous Lisitsyn brothers in Tula introduced the first copper variant. As time passed, variations in brass, iron, nickel, and silver emerged. For the rich, there were even gold ones. These changes reflected the family's social standing.

Tradition dictates that the host places a Russian Samovar on a stand next to their seat. It doesn't matter what it's made of. This placement makes it easy to serve the aromatic tea during social gatherings.

Despite the moniker, "Russian Samovar Tea" is, in some respects, a misnomer. The leaves used to make this esteemed beverage come from the tea plant. This plant is synonymous with tea globally.

But, contrary to what one might assume, most of these plants do not thrive in the cold of Russia. They thrive in the green fields of China. But, there are some exceptions. Tea is grown in Russian territory. It is in the small, subtropical areas, like Krasnodar and Sochi.

In these niche locales, the tea plants bask in a more conducive climate. So, "Russian Tea" refers less to where it's grown, and more to its popularity and unique tea culture in Russia.

Making Russian Samovar Tea with a Tea Infuser

For those without a traditional samovar, you can still enjoy Russian Samovar Tea. Use a tea infuser and follow these steps:

1. Boil Water: Begin by boiling fresh, cold water. If you wish to copy the samovar's gentle heating technique, heat the water to a simmer, not a boil.
2. Preheat the Teapot: Swirl a small amount of hot water in your teapot to warm it. This step ensures your tea maintains its temperature during the steeping process.
3. Add to the infuser: Put about one heaped teaspoon of Russian Samovar Tea leaves per 8-ounce cup into it. The amount can vary depending on your taste preference for strength.
4. Infuse: Immerse the infuser in the preheated teapot and pour the hot water over it. Steep the tea for about 5 minutes. This allows the full flavors to develop without becoming bitter.
5. Remove the Infuser: Do this once the tea is strong enough. This prevents over-brewing. Removing the leaves now is like the samovar's method. It separates the concentrated tea from the hot water.
6. Serve: Pour the infused Russian Samovar Tea into prewarmed cups. To serve as done in Russia, serve the tea with sugar cubes on the side. Also, serve it with lemon slices or jam. Guests can add these to their preference.

Enjoy your tea while embracing the spirit and tradition of Russian tea culture!

How to Use a Russian Samovar

To savour the rich taste of Russian Samovar Tea, one must master the art of using the samovar itself. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your tea using this traditional method:

1. Prepare the Samovar: Put charcoal inside the Samovar's metal pipe. This will heat the water and create the necessary conditions for a perfect brew.
2. Boil Water: Fill the Russian Tea Urn with fresh water. This starts the boiling. It ensures a hot base for your tea.
3. Prep the Teapot: While the water heats, rinse your teapot with hot water. This cleans and warms it, getting it ready for the best tea.
4. Add the leaves: Select a high-quality loose leaf tea and place it in an infuser. Then, put the infuser into the cleaned and warmed teapot.
5. Add Water: Pour hot water from the samovar into your teapot.
6. Steep Your Tea: Allow it to steep for up to 5 minutes. For an aromatic and warm brew, place the teapot on top of the samovar so it can simmer and infuse further.

How to Serve:

Russian Samovar Tea isn't normally enjoyed in its pure form. To embrace the true Russian way of tea drinking, consider adding sugar cubes. While sipping the tea, people hold them between their teeth, instead of dissolving them in the cup.

You can also add a slice of lemon or a spoonful of varenye, a whole fruit jam. These add-ons not only enhance the flavour, but also embody the Russian tea culture.

In conclusion, Russian Samovar Tea is more than a drink. It's an experience that holds centuries of tradition and culture. You can brew it with a traditional samovar or a tea infuser. The tea has a fragrant aroma and robust flavor. It will transport you to the heart of Russia with every sip. So take your time, savour each cup