Leisure …
A
t Hazendal, they believe that you haven’t experienced high tea properly until
you’ve experienced the art of the Russian Tea Ceremony. Captivating
WHY THIS
high tea
IN CAPE TOWN SHOULD \ BE ON YOUR BUCKET LIST
and unique, it’s a ceremony unlike
Russia’s chilly climate. Tea was first
was first exported from China to
any other.
introduced to Russia in the 16th
Europe and America, the long
century, but its popularity began to
voyage caused green tea to quickly
HOW DOES A RUSSIAN TEA CEREMONY DIFFER FROM A TRADITIONAL HIGH TEA?
soar in the 17th century when it was
deteriorate. It could take up to
available almost exclusively to royalty
18 months to complete the trip,
and other extremely wealthy Russians.
after all. Chinese tea producers,
There are many traditions that
(The exorbitant cost of tea was a result
therefore, needed to come up
make up the Russian tea ceremony.
of the circuitous trade route from
with a solution. They found a way
It’s not only about indulging taste
China to Russia via camel caravan.) It
to roll, oxidise and dry the tea
buds, but your other senses too.
was only in the 19th century that tea
to help it retain its vitality and
Take, for instance, the artistry of
became more widely accessible to the
quality for longer. To dry the tea,
the traditional, colourful samovar.
greater public, due to new and better
it was placed in bamboo baskets
This special tea apparatus is used
transport routes via train.
on racks in drying rooms, which
to boil water and to keep it hot for
were built over ovens. The ovens
dispensing at a moment’s notice.
THE FABLES OF FLAVOUR
were fired with pinewood from the
It takes pride of place in the centre
Certain types of black tea, like
surrounding forests that gave this
of the table and is decorated with
the speciality Tsar blend used in
particular tea its distinctive flavour
baranki biscuits that symbolise
Hazendal’s Russian tea, have a rich,
and aroma.
wealth and prosperity. Black loose
smoky intensity to them. When tea
leaf tea concentrate (zavarka) is placed in a teapot attached to the top of the samovar, and brewed to
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WHAT TO EXPECT AT A RUSSIAN TEA CEREMONY AT HAZENDAL
the perfect strength. A samovar can
Naturally, you’ll be served the
come in different body shapes and
finest black tea, specially sourced
designs, which creates the vessel’s
for Hazendal and brewed in a
distinctive ‘song’ when the water
traditional samovar at your table.
starts to boil. Sight, sound, even
You’ll also indulge in a variety
touch and smell come together to
of decadent savoury and sweet
create a delightful experience for all
delicacies, including blinis, baranki,
the senses.
and other traditional Russian delights, while you relax in the
THE INTRIGUING HISTORY OF RUSSIAN TEA
opulent Russian Team Room with
It’s not only the ceremony and
gardens and working cellar.
views over the tasting lounge,
apparatus that are unique, but
A special youngsters’ menu is
the tea itself. Tea has a long and
available too, ideal for tween guests,
rich heritage in Russia. It is widely
making it the perfect way to bond
considered the country’s national
with your loved ones.
drink – hardly surprising, given
www.hazendal.co.za
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SILVER DIGEST // WINTER 2021
