Tea table in European traditions. Serving of a tea table in the traditions of European houses

The paradox of the modern world is that today we are accustomed to drinking a cup of tea almost on the run, and in fact once this drink was dedicated to whole ceremonies. The leaf of the plant Camelia Sinensis (camellia Chinese) is still covered with a lot of legends at home. In the Middle Kingdom there are certain traditions of the tea ceremony. Often it is accompanied by meditation (after all, this drink allows you to concentrate the mind), as well as a conversation. About what? Of course, about tea. The guest simply has to pay tribute to his fragrance, rich in color, tender taste. And why should we not abandon the vanity of life and turn tea drinking into a solemn ritual? So we not only arrange a feast for the soul, but also we will feel the taste of the drink deeper.

Some Secrets of Tea

And did you know that despite the huge variety of varieties, almost all of them come from the same plant. Yes, and black, and green tea, and oolong are the leaves of one bush - the Chinese camellia. Why does the raw material for brewing have a different color, saturation, strength, aroma? It's all about the ability of the tea leaf to oxidize in the air. Once it is ripped off, it begins to brown (like apple pulp, which also changes color when exposed to oxygen). If freshly picked leaves are immediately fried or processed with steam, you will get green tea. If you just linger, give oxidation, and then heat, will leave oolong. A black tea is obtained when the leaves give time to submerge in the air. The tea table in European traditions mainly deals with the latter variety. We will talk about this.

Evolution ceremony

In China, tea is covered with a lot of ancient legends claiming that this divine drink was known as early as the 5th millennium BC, and the Buddha himself enjoyed it. But the first written sources about a wonderful bush date back only 770 years BC. E. The author's name is Lu Yu. But at that time there was not one tradition of brewing tea. Everyone drank who was into that much. Since the 10th century AD E. The following method began to prevail: the tea leaves were ground to the state of a fine powder, and then whipped in water to a thick foam. But in our time this method has remained only in Japan. And why? Because in the thirteenth century, China was captured by Mongolian tribes. The nomads had no time to chop the tea leaves and beat them with special appliances. It was much easier to pour them with steep boiling water. The Mongol invasion fundamentally changed the tea traditions not only in China, but also in Europe, where the drink penetrated the XVII century.

Classical ceremony

Japan until the XIX century was closed to foreigners country. Therefore, the culture of drinking tea Europe borrowed from China. English and Dutch traders, and behind them aristocracy and ordinary people began to brew leaves as they did in the Middle Kingdom under the Ming dynasty, that is , they were poured over with boiling water and insisted a little. But Chinese tea drinking is not just a drink, but a whole philosophy. And it was lost by importers who brought the leaves of Camellia sinensis to Europe. In China, even serving a tea table - a shepherd's table, bowls, a porcelain vessel for welding gaiwan - has a symbolic meaning. Low cups of chabay mean female energy, and high ones - vensabybe - male. It is unlikely that European merchants suspected all these subtleties. Therefore, tea on a new cultural basis has found its traditions. Let's consider them.

Tea table in European traditions

Any imported product is spread, if it is popular with the nobility. This happened in France, where tea was donated to King Louis the Sun. The presentation was accompanied by explanations that the beverage-de treats gout. The king, who suffered from this disease, began to be intensively treated. And soon, as they say, "got involved". He began to drink because of his taste. And for the king and the whole court took over this fashion. Soon tea drinking became a sign of belonging to the higher world. And since at that time France was considered to be the trendsetter, the drink became popular in other countries. But even there the consumption ceremonies gradually began to differ from each other. So there was an English tea party, German, Russian.

Common European Traditions

Since tea was a drink, a sign of taste and belonging to a good society, the entourage in which it was tasted was also appropriate. However, the philosophy of life, meditation, etc., accompanying the tea ceremony in China, were absent in the Old World. Everything boiled down to a secular conversation among the richly decorated living room. Special chic was considered to taste tea in a room designed for "china" - with vases, carpets, porcelain sets. It is noteworthy that sugar was not put into the drink. In this tea for a long time shared fate with coffee and cocoa. Tart drink for a long time was considered purely "masculine." The beautiful floor heavily seized the tea with all sorts of cakes and pastries. The drink from the pre-eating meal turned into a digestive. This is what a typical European tea table looks like. The photo shows exquisite porcelain dishes surrounded by vases with various desserts (often with biscuits).

Turkish tea table

In the consumption of this drink a certain tendency was traced. The northern peoples (English, Scandinavians) are very fond of tea. In the south of Europe (Italy, Spain) this drink is inferior to the priority of coffee. It's understandable: when it's hot in the yard, hot tea is somehow reluctant to drink. Of the southern peoples on the European continent, only the Turks remained true to the traditions of the Seljuk nomads. In this country, tea consumption outstrips the use of coffee. Turks prefer black varieties with the addition of an apple or mint. Brew tea in a small teapot, which is put on top of a large tank of boiling water. Pour the drink into small 8-shaped cups, which in Turkish are called "brothel." Traditionally, lump sugar is served to it.

Traditions of Russia

In our country, tea penetrated directly from the north of China. The word itself testifies to this. Europeans borrowed tea from the South Chinese dialect, whereas we "tea" from the northern dialect. Also in the Russian tradition, the fashion has become firmly added to the list of some herbs - mint, thyme, lemon slices. This is a modified method of brewing tea in China, where it is added to it pieces of dates, petals of jasmine or lotus. But Russian samovars borrowed from the Turks. But the tea traditions in Russia enriched the world culture of consumption of this drink ... saucers. The scalding drink quickly becomes cold in flat and wide plates. It is also tasty to seize "snack" with sugar. Russian tea table in the old traditions presupposes the obligatory presence of a samovar, pot-bellied cups, saucers, bagels, a lot of vases with various jam and honey. To a porcelain or clay pot with tea leaves, a "hot-water bottle" is often attached - a quilted mitten in the shape of a doll. We are popular Chinese varieties, but still the palm tree belongs to leaves native to Ceylon or India.

Traditions of Foggy Albion

This nation almost does not drink coffee. Tea is drunk for breakfast ("English bracelet tee"), for lunch, at 4 pm (5 o'clock tea) and even for lunch (high tea). The British, by the way, also brought out a new species of bush of Chinese begonias, acclimatizing it for the conditions of India and Ceylon. Naturally, they prefer these varieties. Unlike Russians who, according to Chinese tradition, prefer crushed tea, Englishmen make whole leaves. English Breakfast Tea - a dark invigorating drink - is served to a large British breakfast. The most famous English tea drinking, necessarily takes place from 4 pm to 5 pm daily. Here the drink serves not as accompaniment to other dishes, but as the main character. For tea, biscuits and other sweets are served. But the hallmark of the ceremony "5 o'clock tea" is milk or cream in a special jug.

French ceremony

In this country, tea is not a casual drink, and therefore the attitude towards it is special. We do not forget that the French tea traditions originate from the royal court, and therefore the entourage must be truly royal. It is for Russian and Englishmen to have a cup of tea - a very ordinary work. A Frenchman for this goes to Salon du Te. This salon is a confectionery, in which, in addition to a huge selection of cakes and desserts, there is a wide assortment of varieties of tea. For a Frenchman this festive drink is like a fine wine. Therefore, they treat the quality of tea with awe. In the country varieties with various flavor additives - bergamot, rose petals, jasmine, pieces of peel and others are extremely popular. By the way, in Paris such Salons du Te are more than in London. The most famous tea house, continuously working since 1854, is the metropolitan institution "Mariage Frer". Drinks are served with chocolate sweets, desserts.

German Traditions

When tea in Europe only gained popularity, some Germanic candle from medicine issued a verdict that this drink sears the face. But still, the trendsetter of France influenced the morals of the Germans, and tea was increasingly used. Especially in this succeeded the inhabitants of the northern federal lands. They were influenced by the traditions of the Dutch. At the time of Frederick the Great, the Prussia Trading Company was founded, which specially equipped the ships to China for loose leaves. And now the largest importers of this raw material are located in Hamburg. For a long time, tea could be purchased only in pharmacies. He still has a reputation for warming a drink. Germans prefer black varieties, in which for "pushego sugrevu" add alcohol - rum, madera. Tea is a part of punch. At Christmas, it is common to brew a drink with spices - ginger, cinnamon, cloves.

Call for tea

There are several formats for honoring guests. One of them is a tea table. In European traditions, this format assumes a more relaxed atmosphere, not such a strict dress code as, say, a banquet or a cocktail party. But still, you have to prepare thoroughly for the arrival of guests. The same is also expected from the visitors. If you are invited to tea, grab something from the pastry shop. For the owner is important one rule: the table is laid before the arrival of guests. But tea is brewed only when all are gathered. For the host, it will be tactful to ask: maybe someone prefers coffee? There are people who do not tolerate tannins. In this case, stock up on herbal tea. If it's hot outside, take care of making the guests an "ice-ti". This is an invention of Americans who came from England. In a hotter climate (especially in the southern states), they cooled the tea and drank it from glasses with ice cubes.

Serving the table

Before we begin, let's think, and what traditions of tea drinking will we inherit? The Japanese? Let's invite the guests to sit on bamboo mats and whip the tea foam with whisk? Then in the Russian! And do many modern people have a samovar available? You can, however, make a tea table in European traditions "with a Russian accent." How? Very simple. The samovar in this case will be replaced by a large kettle. The table for the reception of guests can be the most ordinary, lunch. But it is recommended to take the tablecloth embroidered. To it in tone it is necessary to pick up also napkins decorated with a national ornament. Cups should be served saucer - deeper than usual. On the table set the sugar bowl with a refined sugar - the Russian way involves drinking tea in a snack. Arrange the jam on the kremanki, honey. In a saucer slice the lemon. Both teapots - and large, and with brewing - should not stand on the table. They are located to the right of the hostess, who pours a cup of tea courteously to guests. And if you are a lucky possessor of the samovar, set it in the middle of the table on the painted tray.

5 o'clock tea and French tea banquet

This format assumes a linen tablecloth in pastel colors to match the service. The table for the tea ceremony in English should be small, just below lunch. On a tablecloth establish candles in candlesticks and put dessert plates. On top of them lay napkins - also linen, folded with a pyramid or an envelope. Above the plates put a small wine-glass (if it is supposed to serve liquor). For English tea drinking is required a jug with hot milk. By the way, tea is added to it, and not vice versa. Cupcakes, biscuits, small cakes are obligatory. In the absence of free space, place desserts in a multi-tiered dish. If you drizzle tea whiskey raw material before brewing, then you will have an Irish tea party. Before the French banquet an aperitif is served - light wines and snacks. The tea table should be oval or round with a tablecloth in pastel colors and napkins in tone. Everything is served on a large Melchior tray: kettle, sugar bowl, creamer. Desserts are placed separately. Have a nice tea!