Tea came to Russia from China, and even the date of this significant event is known. In 1567, he was brought as a gift to the Russian tsar from the Chinese emperor by the brave Cossacks. As a result, the tradition to give precious tea to the boyars and nobles has reigned for many years in our country. Over time, the drink spread everywhere, and it began to be served at the table in the houses of not only the nobility and wealthy merchants, but also the common people.
As a result, today any guest, invited or uninvited, has the right to count on at least tea with cookies. Moreover, the guest may refuse the treat, but the owner simply cannot offer it.
Russian tea party
Not a single person is able to describe the traditions of Russian tea drinking. The thing is that over the past 100-150 years there have been such significant changes - in the way of the family, and in the rules for receiving guests, and in society - that it is no longer possible to say whether this or that tradition is native Russian or is it borrowed from other cultures phenomenon.
To date, a set of "tea, coffee and cookies" is present in everyday life in any situation. This is a usual snack at work - two hours before lunch and a couple of hours after it. Tea with sweets is often consumed after lunch and dinner - not the healthiest habit, but all people sin. Sometimes tea with cookies is breakfast.
But what about the traditions of modern Russian tea drinking? Tea is primarily a reason for a leisurely and long conversation. During gatherings over a mug of aromatic hot drink, important issues and minor everyday problems are solved, ways of reconciliation are sought and, what can be hidden, the bones are washed by all the friends.
It is not customary to sit down for tea with friends if there is not at least half an hour of free time left. This drink does not allow haste. And the sweets served to him make this pastime even more attractive.
Stereotypes about drinking tea in our country
In the photo of tea with cookies in the Russian style, you can often see a samovar. For some reason, foreigners are sure that people in our country cannot do without this relic of the past. Indeed, it is still used in some places - at fairs and other events to emphasize the national flavor. But ordinary people do not have this bulky unit - everyone is content with ordinary and electric kettles.
Another stereotype - about saucers and cup holders - also does not make much sense. Sip tea from a flat plate in the bite with sugar - this can only be seen on the stage of the theater. And the coasters have sunk into eternity, because convenient glass faience mugs have replaced glass fast-heating containers.
How to serve tea to guests
Recently, tea with cookies often means that the guest will be offered a tea bag, boiling water, a cup and cookies from the nearest supermarket. But this is not the best option, especially for a dear guest. Tea needs to be served freshly brewed, and sweets - only fresh. In the modern world, cookies made by yourself for a specific guest show how happy they are to see this person in their home.
Many people know how to brew tea, and everyone knows that you must first pour boiling water over the kettle. But few people think that it is wrong to cook tea leaves and boiling water separately. The drink must be brewed in a large teapot and poured into cups. A dilution of the tea leaves with water kills all the taste of tea.
Sweets
Sweets for tea can be served any. Drying, bagels and large lump sugar were considered traditional Russian treats. Today tea is served with cookies, waffles, sweets, marmalade, chocolate (although it clogs the taste of tea) and any homemade cakes. Moreover, the sweeter the accompaniment, the less sugar should be put in the drink. Well, connoisseurs do not sweeten the aromatic drink at all, rightly believing that sugar steals the taste.
Quick cookies for tea
Home baking does not have to take a lot of time. Sometimes for cooking simple cookies half an hour is enough. For example, you can quickly cook cinnamon torchetti.
Ingredients: 120 g butter, a glass of flour, ½ cup sugar, soda and vinegar (or baking powder), warm water, cinnamon and salt.
You need to cook like this:
- It is good to sift the flour several times and mix with a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of baking powder (or soda, extinguished with table vinegar).
- Combine with soft but not melted butter and mix.
- Add four tablespoons of boiled warm water. Knead the dough.
- A couple spoons of cinnamon mixed with sugar (in equal volumes).
- Roll out the dough and cut into strips of 8-10 cm.
- Connect them into rings and sprinkle each with sugar and cinnamon.
- Cover the baking sheet with baking paper, put the rings on it. They should be placed at a distance from each other, as the dough will grow significantly.
- Send to the oven preheated to 180 ° C. Bake for 10-15 minutes, then increase the temperature to 220 ⁰ so that the baking instantly browned.
- Remove from pan and allow to rest under a towel.
Gingerbread Cookies: Recipe
One of the most delicious cookies for tea is ginger. They turn out spicy, very sweet. The ideal time for a tea party with gingerbread cookies is winter, when there is snow and cold in the street and a hot mug in your hand and it smells of cinnamon and orange.
Ingredients: 120 g of butter, 3 tablespoons of honey, ¾ cup of sugar, a couple of cups of flour, cinnamon, ginger in the form of powder, cocoa, zest from any citrus, soda.
Cooking:
- Melt butter and honey for a couple, add a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of soda. Pour in sugar.
- Pour flour into a deep container, add one teaspoon of ginger and cinnamon to it and two cocoa. Put the zest there with half a lemon or an orange. Mix.
- Combine all ingredients and knead the dough. Put in the refrigerator for half an hour.
- Roll out and cut out cookies - not thin, up to 0.5 cm thick.
- Bake at 180 ° C for about 10-15 minutes. Cookies are baked quickly, so it’s better not to go far from the oven.
Have a nice tea party!