2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14
It is impossible to imagine life in the East without a traditional tea house. This is the “soul” and “heart” of Central Asia, which contains peace, tranquility and thirst quenching on a fussy and hot day. In this article we will tell you what a teahouse is, why not a single eastern city can do without it. We will lift the veil of history and find out where this institution came from.
From past to present
Today, this teahouse looks like a cute and cozy oriental restaurant, where it is customary to peacefully enjoy fragrant drinks and treat yourself to goodies. Previously, this place saved travelers and local residents from the heat and heat.
The meaning of the word "teahouse" comes from two derivatives - cha-yeh (Chinese), which means "leaf tea", and xane (Persian) - "room". This establishment is a small dining room that offers non-alcoholic vegetable drinks, famous oriental sweets and full meals (like pilaf or shish kebab).
Moreseveral hundred centuries ago, teahouses could be found in oasis places and markets, where everyone who wanted to relax and quench their thirst dropped in.
Most of the day in Central Asia and the East is unbearable heat, from which it is simply impossible to hide. Under the scorching sun, residents and travelers had to drink large amounts of liquid. But since the inhabitants of all countries of Central Asia profess Islam, the use of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited. Needed an alternative, and that was green tea.
Features
Not everyone knows what a tea house is. The name speaks for itself, but traditions and features are available only to eastern residents and tourists. Today, absolutely anyone can enter the modern teahouse every day. However, to get into a real institution, you need to get an invitation from local residents.
As a rule, it was impossible to refuse a tempting offer to visit a teahouse: this would indicate that you do not respect your friend or relative. Yes, and it is forbidden to come to the institution with women, because it is intended only for men. If you visit a traditional teahouse in Central Asia, you will notice that all the attendants consist exclusively of representatives of the stronger sex.
Rules of conduct
The history of the teahouse says that earlier the appearance of this establishment was very different from its modern counterparts. Today, a large number of people work here, from technical staff to chefs brought from Central Asia. But before everythingfunctions could be performed by one person - the owner of the teahouse. What is hospitable hospitality, they knew firsthand.
Rules of conduct:
- When you enter, be sure to take off your shoes, because all the guests of the establishment are sitting on the floor, on special trestle beds. The legs are usually crossed in Turkish, which resembles the Lotus Pose asana. Wearing shoes would be unethical and unhygienic.
- In a traditional teahouse, unsweetened green tea is served before meals, which should never be refused. They drink a drink from a bowl. However, pouring full dishes, as most people are used to, means showing disrespect to the guests and the owner of the establishment. You need to fill the bowl only ⅓.
- What is a teahouse? This is an institution that is filled with harmony and tranquility. People come to the teahouse to relax and enjoy the peace, so in no case should you swear, sort things out, argue or hurt someone. Fights and violence are unacceptable for this institution, and if a conflict arises, then it is resolved peacefully.
Interesting facts
Before, a teahouse could be found at any bazaar or caravanserai. Usually the institution was located on the street, but in the cool season, guests were accommodated already inside. Quite often, bird cages were hung in the tea house, which were populated by quails. Their Twitter created a special cozy atmosphere.
Depending on the region, folk cultures and customs, the teahouse differed in appearance and menu. For example, establishments were opened in Azerbaijan where one could enjoyonly black long leaf drink. But so that tea does not seem insipid or bitter, sweets were served with it. In Tajikistan, in such establishments one could enjoy delicious dishes and snacks.
Teahouse is found in all corners of Central Asia, even in Iran and Afghanistan, because these countries are mainly inhabited by sedentary, nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples (Lurs, Persians, Balochs, Pashais).
Another main feature is the large samovar in the tea house. The meaning of this requisite is simple: if the device is new and beautiful, then it serves as a symbol of the owner's respect for his guests. The samovar was the first thing people noticed.
To visit a real tea house means to feel the spiritual atmosphere of Central Asia.
Recommended:
Turkish Boza drink: recipe, history, drinking rules
The article contains a description of the recipe for the Turkish drink Boza. In the text you can find a brief history of the drink, useful properties, a detailed method of cooking at home, drinking rules and the allowed dose
Kuvert is The meaning of the word and what items are included there
The term "couvert" has two meanings. One of them is considered obsolete, and the other is used to this day. In this article, we will find out where the word "couvert" came from, we will understand its properties from the point of view of the language. Let's also look at some examples
The strongest drink: history, rules of use, types of strong drinks
The history of the origin of the intoxicating drink goes far into the past, but it is still not known for certain who and when made it for the first time. The most ancient alcoholic "nectar", according to historical data, is wine. The first strongest drink containing a high percentage of alcohol appeared in the 11th century - it was ethanol, developed by a Persian doctor, the progenitor of vodka and alcoholic beverages
Food - what is it? The meaning of the word "nutrition"
It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of what nutrition is, because this term has several meanings. How to understand the many definitions and finally decide on the meaning of the word "nutrition"?
Shmurdyak - what is it? The meaning of the word, the history of its occurrence
Shmurdyak - what is it? The expression "shmurdyak" can often be heard in colloquial speech. The most interesting thing is that the meaning of this word in different segments of the population is somewhat different from each other. In this article we will try to figure out where this jargon came from and what it means
