Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-13
HOW THEY DRINK TEA
Serving the Cup That Cheers
in Russia.
s AMOV AR AND POT
BOTH ARE REQUIRED FOR sERv-
ICE A LA Russo.
Suggestions for Cars Tea Party
Costume and Table
Fixings.
SAM0VAR AND POT
Written for The Evening Star.

Written for The Evening Star.
Since the war in the east has brought
into greater prominence the two countries
of Russia and Japan western people have
become suddenly interested in the manners
and customs of both of these nations.
What they do in Russia and in Japan" IS
an expression one hears on all sides. The
sympathy of Americans is for the most
part with the plucky little Jap, but as a
social function the smart set has taken up
with enthusiasm the Russian tea as
summer diversion
For this new afternoon function my lady
must needs have a handsome samovar in
which to brew the cheering beverage. An
ancient samovar is an enviable possession,
but, barring this, a stunning copper urn of
modern workmanship polished to the van
ishing point takes the place of honor on
her tea table.
This table is laid with a cloth made beau
tiful with Russian cross-stitch embroidery
or some elaborate border work carried out
In gold thread and gay-colored silks.
Russian tea Is generally made in a small
teapot, two or three teaspoonfuls being
considered sufficient for a moderate brew
Ing. The teapot Is kept on top of a sam
ovar, which every one knows is a kind of
copper Kettle so constructed as to burn
charcoal In an inner tube, so that a plenti-
full supply of hot water is always ready
while the teapot by this means Is kept hot
at the same time. The Russians drink their
tea out of a tall tumbler which has about
an inch Of the beverage poured into it and
is then filled up with hot water from the
Samovar. Thin slices of lemon and brandy
are served with the drink, and in some in
stances cooked cherries and other fruits
are mixed with 1t, or a spoonful of lam is
stirred in, but occidental palates will hard
ly appreciate these additional fiavorings.
The tea used by the Russian is invara-
hlNyn ~ Strr E>,Va,, tl,A
classes pay good price for this luxury.
1t is brought overland from China, gener-
ally in the form of bricks, and this is the
reason why the tea in the cars empire is
bad effect upon tea, no matter how careful
ly it is packed.
Absolutely Necessary.
Although the national beverage OF the
country is hydromel. tea is looked upon as
an absolute necessity, and in all business
offices 1t Is provided gratis to employees
All business transactions are made over a
glass of tea, and so intimately associated
with Russian life is tea drinking that the
mental when demanding tip asks for ma
chic" which, translated, is tea money.
Milk is seldom taken in Russian tea, and
among the lower classes sugar is not
deemed essential, but when used lump of
it is held between the teeth the tea being
sucked up through it. Such an important
domestic life that there is proverb often
quoted-"Take samovars to Tula," the
equivalent for carrying Goals to Newcas-
tie" lula is manufacturing town where
samovars are made and exported all over
the empire.
The old peasants sigh when the subject of
tea drinking is discussed, and are often
heard to remark "Ah, holy Russia has
never been the same since We drank so
much tea" This unfortunate habit may
account for the defeat of the Russian
forces both on land and sea, but then,
their successful rivals. the japanese, are
inveterate tea imbibers
A Pretty Affair.
A Russian tea en- costume would be a
pretty affair, as the national dress is very
picturesque, consisting of damask robe cut
somewhat in the empire style, held under
the arms by a short scarlet tunic bordered
with gold braid and draped over a long
skirt. i
The headdress is a diadem of red velvet
embroidered with pearls or spangles. This
costume would be rather trying for summer
wear. Still, in the interest of sweet char
ity, one might immediate oneself for a few
hours that good in the shape of the neces-
sary shekels to carry on worthy cause
might follow.
American tastes are cosmopolitan, but |
the average hostess would hesitate before |
placing before her tea guests any of the |
bonnie pouches of the cars people. French |
ana EngllSn cooking OBTAINS among the |
upper classes. but the menu of the lower |
orders is none too delicate. The national |
dish has the sneezy name of tschi, and as |
the favorite soup is some kind of dreadful |
sour cOncoction, and vegetables are served /
in vinegar. and enormous guam /
titles of pork are consumed, we will not in /
quire too infinitely into its composition. |
Every man to his taste, but ours would not |
be Russian tschi.
Served a La Russo.
Tea drinking after the Japanese fashion |
IL equally fashionable and smart an when