Tea culture in iran

As a result of the reestablishment of trade along the fabled Silk Road, Persia (now known as Iran) became an important component of the trade route from Europe to China. As a result, green tea from China was introduced into Iran. During the Safavid Dynasty, part of the cultural fabric of Iran were the ever present Qaveh Khaneh or coffee houses. The Qaveh Khaneh, also known as Ghaveh Khaneh began serving tea along with coffee to customers. Gradually, tea began to replace coffee as the beverage of choice in social circles, and from then on tea became engrained in Persian (Iranian) culture. Changing trade influences helped facilitate this shift from coffee to tea. During the reign of the Safavid Dynasty, the Persians primarily interacted with other Middle Eastern states such as Yemen and the Ottoman Empire. Subsequently, the Qajar Dynasty of Iran shifted this trading focus towards trade with western powers like Britain and Russia, predominately tea drinking countries, thereby helping influence Iran to tea drinking. From that time on, until the present, the beverage of choice for most Iranians is black tea. Most Iranians begin their day with a cup of hot tea, not coffee as in western countries. Interestingly, hot tea is also consumed before going to bed. Iranians also drink tea with their meals or even as part of break. In fact, it can be said that the vast majority Iranians do not take coffee breaks, but rather tea breaks. Today Qaveh Khanehs continue to serve Iranians, as they have for centuries, maintaining their singular original attraction for the average Iranian. These establishments are often appointed with carpets and relaxed interiors. Often traditional water pipes or Hookahs are present. These establishments serve a wide variety of age groups, from the Iranian senior citizen to the businessmen to young people hanging out with their friends. Russia, Britain and Georgian tea merchants greatly influenced Iranian tea culture. Their influence touches on every aspect of Iranian tea culture, including selection of the tea leaves, tea brewing techniques and brewing equipment. Most Iranians drink their tea (Cha-ee in Iranian) straight without any added milk. Iranians have an interesting saying about tea, it is said that “you make tea a widow”, if you add milk. Tea at the Qaveh Khaneh is always served very different than it is consumed at home. The Qaveh Khaneh always serves tea very hot and strong. The tea is served in clear glass cups called “Estekan”, which is derived from the Russian term “Stakan”. The clear glass allows the drinker to see the dark rich color of the tea. Most Iranians like their tea to be black and strong. The tea is often sipped while the drinker has a cube of sugar in his teeth, thereby sweetening the tea. Sometimes rock candy is also used as the sweetener. Iranians do not put sugar in their tea. Typically, Iranians dip a sugar cube in the tea and then place the cube between their teeth while they drink the tea. This sweet tea is usually consumed in the morning for breakfast similar to the way coffee is consumed in the west. The sugar cubes are known as “Kand” or “Ghand”. Iranians frequently also have bread with cottage cheese known as noon-panir. Inside the home, tea from is consumed very differently. Iranians prefer loose tea leaves and generally prefer Sri Lankan or Indian black teas. To make tea, Iranians use a Samavar to boil water, similar to the Samovar used by Russians. Also always used is a tea kettle known as a Ketri. The tea leaves are placed loosely inside a tea pot and the Ketri is utilized to pour hot water over the tea. Sometimes the tea pot is heated to enable the tea to cook. In addition, dried flower pedals, such as rose pedals may be introduced with the tea. Also, some tea drinkers prefer to flavor their tea with cardamom or saffron spices. When ready, the tea is poured into a clear glass Estekan, but never to the top, leaving room to water down the tea if it is too strong. Tea in most Iranian homes is also served with customary Iranian sweets. Tea drinking is an important aspect of the social and cultural fabric of Iranian life and represents the traditional character of Iran. It can be said that life in Iran revolves around tea and tea around life.