Tea Etiquette in 19th C. Russia

Vintage postcard, featuring Russian Tea “Rag Dolls”

There are several elements without which it is difficult to imagine tea drinking in 19th century Russia:

1. A samovar

2. A teapot 

3. A “hot-water” doll (known as a tea cozy in the US and UK). 

3. Porcelain cups, saucers, teaspoons and dishes. In wealthy homes, fine porcelain was used for tea drinking.

4. Sweets to serve for eating while enjoying the tea (including sugar in a bowl for sweetening the tea).

Nobles were among the first began to drink tea. They copied the customs adopted by the British. In the noble families, the tea table was covered twice a day with a fine white cloth. Expensive porcelain dishes were present on the table to emphasize the elegance of the ceremony. Often they drank tea on the open summer terraces. Over tea, the guests talked about refined topics.

A Russian “hot water doll,” or tea cozy.

To serve and enjoy tea as Russians did in the 19th century – The samovar is placed directly on a small tea table or at the end of a larger table. Tea leaves are poured into a small teapot, with hot water from the samovar poured in, and a rag doll is put on top, keeping the water hot for steeping the tea. The resulting brew is poured into cups and diluted with boiling water. Everyone can choose the strength of the drink. 

Only the mistress herself pours tea, and only in case of emergency is this action entrusted by the eldest of the daughters, which corresponds to an unwritten rule - the same person, well familiar with the pouring, should always pour the tea. Tea is drunk from china, surely not topping up 1-2 cm from the edge of the cup, which is considered good form.

Etiquette for drinking tea properly in Russia: 

Do’s for tea drinking

• It is necessary to ensure that the edges of the teacup remain clean. It is not polite to leave traces of lipstick, or greasy food on it. It is necessary to blot lips with a napkin before starting tea drinking.
• Biscuits or cakes, which are often served with tea, are to be eaten with a spoon. If sand, puff cake or pie with sweet filling is served, it is necessary to use a fork and a knife. Cut a small piece carefully with a knife, and bring to the mouth with the help of a fork.
• If tea is served, refined sugar in a common bowl, you must use special tongs, with which you can put the required number of pieces in the tea or on a saucer.
• Earlier, to show that tea drinking is over, the guest turned his cup on a saucer. Now you can just put your spoon in the cup, and it will be perceived as a refusal of any more tea.

Don’ts during tea drinking

• You should not blow tea, even if it is very hot. Moreover, you cannot drink tea from a spoon, it is a sign of bad manners. It will take only a few minutes, and the tea will cool down, you just need to wait a bit.
• In merchant houses they drank tea from saucers, but now this tradition has gone down in history, so there is no need to do this at the table.
• A teaspoon after stirring tea should not be left in a cup or placed on a tablecloth, for this there is a saucer.
• You should not stick out your little finger while holding a tea cup.
• A teacup is always brought to your mouth. You do not need to bend over to take a sip.
• You need to drink tea silently.

Meet our newest contributor, Maria Pavlova. Russian born, Maria started studying etiquette and traditions as a young girl, as it was important to her family. She dedicated much time and research to 19th century etiquette and customs. For a time, she ran an etiquette school called, “The Russian Princess.” Now, living abroad, she offers consultations and conducts etiquette lessons online.



Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia 

Etiquette and Russian "Real Tea"

A Test for Tea from 1889

Is your tea real?

A Russian analyst gives the following as a test by which tea can be proved to be genuine or not. Take a pinch of tea in a glass, pour upon it a little cold water and shake it well. Pure tea will only slightly color the water, while a strong infusion is quickly got trom the adulterated or painted leaf. 

Now boil both sorts separately, and let them stand until cool, and the difference between them will be most marked. The false tea will become stronger after a long standing, but will remain transparent, whereas pure tea will become muddy or milky. This last appearance arises from the tannic acid, which is a natural property in pure tea, but which in artificial tea is entirely absent. – Sacramento Daily Union, 1899

Russian Style: 

Nouveau Riche? Or Old News? 

Talk to anyone who's lived or done business in Russia since the fall of the Soviets and you're likely to hear about their obsession with fashion of the Bret Easton Ellis type: labels, labels, labels. Armani, Bulgari, Prada—these are the touchstones by which Russians measure their progress. It's the usual story of the nouveau riche, with the important distinction that there hasn't been old money here since 1917. "Carefully disheveled, that's not a thing here," says Emily Gould, a former Gawker.com editor who lives in Moscow. 

But, aside from being a bit of a cliché , the characterization isn't entirely fair, or up-to-date. Gone (mostly) are the days when politicians dressed like gangsters and businessmen flaunted tailored jackets by leaving the sleeve buttons open. Certain styles once considered outré – or effeminate—shorts and flashy dress shirts—are now in style, especially among an emerging subculture of Silicon Valley-style startups. Interior designers once hired to bling out Moscow penthouses now make their living toning them down. You're almost as likely to see a country-style Azeri restaurant as an opulent Belle Époque mirrored palace. All told, there's been an uptick in attention to quality and solidity—a trend that has accelerated during the global downturn. As Andrew Paulson says, ignoring this reality would be "like telling a 12-year-old joke." – Source Conde´Nast Traveler's, 2009,  Etiquette 101: Russia, Written by CNTraveler.com

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Moderator and Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette and Russian Tea Festival

Gay Costumes, Music and Tea-Drinking Have Caught the Popular Fancy

RUSSIAN TEA FESTIVAL ATTRACTING LARGE CROWD

Gay Costumes, Music and Tea-Drinking Have Caught the Popular Fancy

The second day of the Russian tea festival, held in the parlors of the Graeco - Russian Church, under the auspices of the ladies of the church, for the Indian famine sufferers, was even more successful than the first. 

Hundreds of people, attracted by the pretty tea girls in their charming Eastern costumes and the music and mirth that pervaded the whole place, gathered around the tables and enjoyed the tea that had been carried nearly around the world and was served from massive samovars by charming maids and matrons. 

The scene at night was partlcularly charming, the costumes of the ladies under the bright lights giving a kaleidoscopic effect as they glided in and out among the assembled guests. Mrs. Metropolsky and Mrs. Krasoff presided at the samovars. 

The costumes of the tea girls were as follows: Mrs. O. C. Schroder, Roumanian; Miss Mary Dabovich, Serbian; Miss G. Ayov, Syrian; Misses Natalie and Alexandria Metropolsky, Russian; Miss Krasoff, North Russian Peasant; Miss Lizzie Kashevnikoff and Miss Valentine Ligda, Russian; Miss George and Miss Holtz; Roumanian. 

The musical programme yesterday afternoon and last night was very entertaining. George Leron and Mr. Warren played the piano and violin, respectively; the Misses Sophia and Lucy Czarnecke rendered a charming vocal duet and Miss Mary Burin entertained at the piano in the afternoon. 

Professor Moser's Zither Club was an attraction in the evening. Father Popoff made a hit by singing a bass solo, and the Russian church choir sang several national hymns and popular Russian songs. Vocal solos were given by Miss Lottie Irving, Mrs. Irving and Mrs. Whitney. 

To-day will be the last day of the festival and the ladies expect to have a big crowd to take care of this afternoon. There will be a special programme, full of novelties for those who have not attended a Russian tea drinking. Everybody is invited to be present — San Francisco Call, 1900

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette and Russian Tea

"A Russian tea will be given this afternoon by Mrs. W. L. Hardison of South Pasadena. Russian laces imported by Madame Vera de Blumenthal will be on exhibition and girls In Russian costumes will serve tea. Two hundred and fifty invitations have been issued and the proceeds will be given to the peasant women of Russia." —Los Angeles Herald, 1906

As it's International Hot Tea Month, try some tea from a Russian samovar. — There is a beverage called "Russian Tea" which likely originated in the Southeastern United States, where is it traditionally served at social events during Advent and Christmastide. This U.S. "Russian Tea" probably has no link to actual Russian tea customs, though. Recipes vary, but the tea is served hot and often as an after-meal beverage. Prior to the revolution in Russia, "Russian Tea Rooms," "Samovar Tea Rooms" and Russian restaurants flourished, and were quite fashionable, throughout the United States in the early 19OO's. 

January is International Hot Tea Month so try the Samovar Tradition

Since the 17th century, when the custom of drinking tea migrated to Russia from China, Russians have taken the tradition of enjoying tea to heart, focusing on the samovar. Tea is an extremely significant part of Russian culture. In Russia is not just a beverage – it’s a social activity with a long-reaching tradition behind it.

A samovar is a large metal urn that heats water with burning charcoal or wood, or, more recently, electricity. On top rests a teapot in which a strong tea is brewed. Each cup is served by diluting this concentrate with hot water from the samovar’s spigot, then sweetening it with honey, sugar or jam.

Supremely functional and almost ubiquitous (in homes, offices and restaurants, aboard trains, even on street corners), samovars are beloved works of art.

A samovar in the center of the table symbolizes home, comfort and good times. Families traditionally gathered around their tables on Sunday afternoons to share strong tea, a meal and news of their week. Modern samovars are heated electrically.

☕️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia