Samovar - the social tea experience from the East
Samovar tea brewing is more than a method - it's a way of socializing. Used in Russia, Turkey, Iran and Central Asia for hundreds of years, the samovar often symbolizes community, tradition and warmth. Here's how it's done - and how you can get the same deep flavor without a samovar of your own.
What is a samovar?
A samovar is a kind of water heater, often made of metal, with a small teapot on top. The pot is used to brew a very strong tea - zavarka - which is diluted in the cup with hot water from the samovar itself. This allows each person to adjust the strength to their liking. Because the concentrate/zavarka stays fresh longer than brewed tea, a cup can be prepared quickly. This means that the guest gets a glass of "freshly brewed" tea immediately. When I (Jan) went to the Turkish hairdresser during a period when we lived in Cologne, they always had a samovar with tea for the customers. Very practical even if you have to serve many guests in quick succession.
Traditionally, it is fired with coal or wood, and also served as a heat source in the house. Today, modern electric versions with thermostats are more common.
Samovar tea - how to make it
- Fill the large tank of the samovar with water and heat it up.
- Put plenty of tea in a small pot - about 2-3 tablespoons to a pint of water.
- Brew the concentrate for 10-15 minutes. It should be really strong.
- Serve by pouring a few centimeters of concentrate into narrow glasses or cups, and filling with hot water.
Don't have a samovar?
Don't worry - you can still recreate the experience at home. It's especially handy if you're serving a lot of people in a short time. If your teapot is too small, this is the perfect way to "stretch" the teapot, without having to wait for the tea to finish brewing for each round.
- Bring water to a boil in a kettle or saucepan.
- Brew strong tea in a small pot or thermos, preferably with a lid.
- Keep the water hot in a thermos or on a hot plate.
- Serve by diluting the concentrate in each cup, just as above.
It's not quite authentic, but the flavor comes close - especially if you choose the right tea.
Teas that do samovar style
For samovar brewing (or samovar-inspired brewing), teas with power, depth and body work best. Avoid teas that are easily bitter, so whole leaf is preferable. Here are two clean, classic favorites from Tea Central's lineup:
Grusinia Wild Extra
A robust black tea from Georgia with wild, earthy notes and light smokiness. Perfect for long brews and retains its flavor even after several dilutions. Perhaps the most classic choice.
A la Turca
Inspired by Turkish tea brewing - strong, powerful and with a distinct astringency. This tea can be brewed strong and drunk with sugar if you want to emulate the Turkish tradition.
The soul of the samovar - even without a samovar
You don't need a real samovar to enjoy the tradition. It's all about the feeling: brewing strong, sharing hot water, and letting the tea take its place in the conversation. With the right tea, a small pot and a heat source, you've already come a long way.
So invite some friends over, put out the teapot and enjoy a few cups (or glasses) of tea together.
