Well, let me tell you somethin’ about these Russian teas. I ain’t no fancy tea expert or nothin’, but I know a thing or two ‘bout what folks like to drink. You know, like them Russians, they got their own way of doin’ things, and tea ain’t no different.

First off, tea, that’s a big deal for them Russians. Why? I reckon it’s ‘cause it’s so darn cold over there. You need somethin’ warm to keep you goin’. They say it’s their national drink, like how we like our coffee in the mornin’. They drink it all the time, hot or cold, sweet or not, just like we do with our iced tea in the summer. Only difference is, they drink it hot mostly, I hear. Specially in the afternoon, like them fancy English folks with their tea time.

Now, when you talk about Russian tea, most of the time you’re talkin’ ‘bout black tea. That’s the one they like the most. Don’t get me wrong, they drink other kinds too, like that green tea stuff, but black tea, that’s the real deal. They even got this special kind called Russian Caravan. Sounds fancy, huh? It’s ‘cause it used to come all the way from China on them camels. Can you imagine? Camels carryin’ tea! That’s a long way for a cuppa, I tell ya.

• Black tea is the most popular.
• Green tea is getting popular too.
• Russian Caravan is a traditional type.

But it ain’t just about what kind of tea you got, it’s how you make it. They call it zavarka. Don’t ask me how to say it, I can barely pronounce it. But it means makin’ the tea real strong. Like, real, real strong. It ain’t like dunkin’ a tea bag for a minute or two. They use a whole lotta tea leaves and let it steep for a good long while. Then, they pour a little bit of that strong tea into a cup and add hot water to it. That way, you can make it as strong or as weak as you want. It’s like makin’ coffee, I guess, some folks like it strong, some folks like it weak.

And speaking of strong tea, there’s this other kind, called chifir. Now, that’s some serious stuff. It’s so strong, it’ll knock your socks off! They say it’s what them prisoners used to drink in them old Soviet camps, like the gulags. I ain’t never been to no gulag, thank the Lord, but I hear it’s a rough place. And I reckon you need some strong tea to get through a day in a place like that.

Now, them Russians, they don’t just drink their tea outta any old cup. They got this fancy thing called a podstakannik. Again, don’t ask me how to say it. It’s like a little metal holder with a handle that you put a glass in. Why? ‘Cause the tea is so hot, you can’t hold the glass without burnin’ your fingers. Smart, ain’t they? They think of everything.

So, you see, Russian tea ain’t just tea. It’s a whole thing. It’s about tradition, it’s about staying warm, it’s about strong tea and fancy glass holders. It’s like takin’ a trip back in time, to when them Tsars were still around, you know? Fancy folks drinkin’ fancy tea. But even us regular folks can enjoy a good cuppa Russian tea. You don’t need to be a Tsar or nothin’. Just get yourself some black tea, brew it strong, and you’re good to go. And if you can find one of them podsta-whatchamacallits, well, that’s just the icing on the cake, or should I say, the sugar in the tea.

Anyways, that’s all I know ‘bout Russian tea. It ain’t much, but it’s somethin’. Maybe you learned somethin’ too. If not, well, at least you heard an old woman ramble on for a bit. Now go on and make yourself a cuppa, whatever kind you like. And don’t forget to enjoy it. Life’s too short to drink bad tea, or bad anything for that matter.