Tea Blog

“Ecstasy is a glass full of tea and a piece of sugar in the mouth.” — Alexander Pushkin

If you’re like me, when you think of great tea-drinking nations, the United Kingdom probably comes to mind first. Yet several countries consume even more tea on a per-capita basis, including Turkey, Morocco, Ireland, and Mauritania.

One country that does not always receive the same attention is Russia. Nevertheless, Russia has a long and fascinating relationship with tea and is often credited with popularizing—and perhaps even helping to develop—the samovar, one of history’s most iconic tea-brewing devices.

Given the proximity of Russia and China, it was perhaps inevitable that tea would eventually make its way north through trade routes connecting the two regions.

According to historical accounts, Russians first encountered tea in the early seventeenth century when envoys of the Tsar visited Mongolia and were introduced to a beverage made from unfamiliar leaves. A few decades later, Mongolian representatives reportedly presented the Tsar with a gift of several hundred pounds of tea. At the time, some observers were unimpressed, suggesting that furs would have been a far more useful present.

Despite this lukewarm reception, tea slowly gained popularity. By 1674, a Swedish envoy noted that tea was being sold in Moscow and was often promoted as a remedy for the effects of excessive alcohol consumption.

During the eighteenth century, tea shipments from China became increasingly common. Much of this tea traveled overland by camel caravan, a journey that could take many months to complete. As imports increased and prices declined, tea became accessible to a broader segment of the population.

By 1810, according to some historical sources, a single Russian trading guild was importing nearly three million pounds of tea annually. As happened in several other tea-drinking nations, greater availability fueled even greater demand.

Although Russia is no longer ranked among the world’s very highest tea-consuming countries, tea remains deeply woven into the nation’s culture. From the enduring popularity of the samovar to the continued appreciation of strong black teas and Russian Caravan blends, tea retains an important place in Russian daily life.

Today, Russia’s tea-drinking tradition stands as a reminder that the story of tea extends far beyond China, India, and Britain.

See also: 5 Signs That You’re “Going Russian” at Tea Time

See more of William I. Lengeman’s articles in this archive of tea history and commentary.

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