The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-08-22
HOW RUSSIANS SERVE TEA.
twenty Glasses Of u Day IS MOI an Unusual
fumber.

among the things for which Russia
ueservedly enjoys a credtable and mi.
Versal reputation, says the Philadelnhia
iess' RUSSIAN tea doubtless occupies a
prominent place, both on account Of It's
ouaIity and mode OF preparation and
consumption. In the first place tbere
is no such thing as Russian tea in the
! literal sense OF the word IT is en-
| tireiy an article imported from China
which country will probably continue
Tor long time to be the chief source
OF tea supply for the Russian markets.
Tea In Russia is very dear. but this is
due TO the heavy expense OF transport
ana customs duties. The Russians
urlnh enormous Quantities OF tea. suffi-
cleft 10 brighten any foreigner.
The poor people use the so-called
DICK tea This is the cheapest sort.
peihg mixed with the stems and com
pressed by some adhesive gum into dry
cakes or various sizes resembling in tts
appearance plug tobacco This tea
whlcn would probably prove poisonous
~ ~ any one else. is consumed by the
russian workingman at the average
rate OF 20 stakaps Tor tumblers) n dsv.
.he Russian stakan being quite equal
10 nve OF the little thimbles OF cuns
used at our afternoon teas.
indeed, the Russian won't be salts
hed until 'the seventh persp'ration
pIe9'ks out according TO the popular
ss1gtns Iaking into consideration that
oiack, sour or bitter brick-lfkp brsad
raw onions, garlic dried Ieather-lIlse
llsh ana strongly salted herrings are
usually the chief articles OF food of the
Peopie AT large. one must not wonde,.
AT me enormous quantity OF hon tea
needed To still Russians thirst and
help on his digestion.
ot course. 4 Is not the brick" tea as
used by the poor moujik that enioys "a
Worli-wide reputation. but that In uso
ahong the middle and upper classes. In
such households tea at the price Of St
per pound tO.9O Of the English pound
aNolruupoisD is quite an ordinary thing
Whlle IN wealthier families 81 per
pound Is frequently paid.
nsre are cho.ce sorts of tea which |
arc sold even al SIS per pound bur ~ |
THESE only "A few leaves are used To ofd |
an extra delicious aroma 10 the ordin- |
airy TEA. Thus the high quality OF tha |
yea tseh brought overland and most /
Vdreiully packed Is the chief reason of |
us superiority over the teas in use in |
western Europe.
But aoart from The taa ,tseif tho
RUSSIAN method ofspreparing IL goes |
long way TO contribute TO the fine taste
yt the beverage. In this process the
famous isamOvar" PLAYS the PRINCIPAL
part anu word or two OF explanation
VIII not be amiss. The "samovar" IL
tha utenTil used only for boiling the
water. Wv
Iney are usually made OF brass or
copper' but there are also silver eam-
wars. the inside being lined with an
yther metal. In the middle there is a
klh1 ~ chimney or fire receptacle.
lround which fresh cold water n poured
mo ne stmovar. Burning charcoal or
Nool is thrown into the chimney. and
! usually lakes about a quarter ~ AN
,our o. Tore the water begins 90 boil
.h prlng announced bV "A volume of
ltatn fiVin under tha cover Then the !
'Wing water Il poured upon the tea I'm
J Dol ana see latter placed on top Of |
ne samoyar TO keep warm, az tea |
'oseys are unknown In Russia The in
usion ". made very strong. hut only |
~ lilt hfth or quarter " glass is |
lllfd With ~. tho rest being filled IN
'hh the boiling water. slic~ of
sste.