Monday, November 12, 2018

The Importance of Tea in Iran



Samovars being sold at a bazaar


Iran has a long tradition of tea, which isn’t too difficult to deduct. Long stretches of the Silk Road (network) ran through Persia. It is the national drink in Iran. Nothing happens without tea.

The Northern part of Iran at the Caspian Sea has the suitable climate for the cultivation of tea. Mohammad Mirza started the growing tea in the Gilan area in 1899. He brought sapling from Northern India to start the business.

Iranians consume about 120 million kg of tea each year, but produce only about 5% of that amount. In 2017 Iran had been the 5th largest importer of tea in the world. The case is difficult as Trump hasn’t banned the tea trade, but the restriction on financial transactions will have an impact on the trade. The biggest exporters to Iran are India, Sri Lanka and Kenya.  
In Iran the prices for tea and sugar are already climbing – as much as prices for gas are in Europe.

There were lots of tea houses in the past, but this culture has been banned by Ahmadinejad, as he thought these places to be dens of indecency. Nowadays there are only expensive places left.

On the roads you’ll see samovars under steam. People stop and have a tea. Or the two elderly gentlemen I’ve met in a park, who had a gas stove to boil water for tea.
In the bazaar you can buy everything you need for tea. Pots, samovars, China ware, tea glasses, etc.  are on sale.

Let’s wait and see, what happens. “Just wait and see” is in German “Abwarten und Tee trinken” [wait and drink tea]. Maybe it doesn’t get as worse. I hope so for the Iranians.


In the park


A fancy samovar for larger groups
 


Tea pots and other China ware in a bazaar 
 


Tea glasses are available, too
 

An expoensive tea house, which has survived the ban

Links:

.

No comments:

Post a Comment