Tea in Russia

The tea cultivation in Russia started in 1833 from Nikiti botanical garden in Crimea. In Russia, tea industry was not developed before the world war I. After 1958, tea cultivation started to be expanded. In 1988, total of 67000 hectare of tea fields were established in Gruziya. Also, total of 13000 hectare tea fields in Azerbaijan, and total of 1800 hectare tea fields in Crasnodar were newly established. After the Soviet union's corruption, Azerbaijan and Gruziya became independent countries. Therefore, the domestic production of tea only covers 1 % of total consumption of whole Russia. Russia imports rest of 99% tea mainly from India and then Sri Lanka. The total amount of importing tea is the second Although people in Russia had started to drink tea from 17 century, tea was not a very common drink until early 19 century. Nowadays, drinking tea play important role of their life in Russia. Average amount of consumption for per person is 120 - 140g a month. Both green tea and black tea are drank in Russia. Some part of Russia, green tea is more commonly drank. A typical style of drinking tea in Russia is brewing tea using traditional tea thing "Samovar", and add jam in their tea. Adding milk in the tea is not very popular, however, there is one region in Russia where people add butter and milk in their tea.

(Shigehiro Kodomari)