Some people are sure that Tatars brew tea according to some special recipe, which differs significantly from the usual Russian method. In principle, this belief is correct - but only partially. Tatar tea is really prepared a little differently, but how exactly?
What is needed for Tatar tea
First of all, making tea in Tatar style requires brewing - unpackaged, without any additives in the form of bergamot, lemon or any other fruit. It is best to take regular black tea: large leaf, granular or small long tea. If desired, you can purchase a ready-made tea mixture - black and green - supplemented with thyme, chamomile, linden, St. John's wort and sage.
Remember that Tatar tea is drunk only with milk, so you shouldn't add cream to it - it will be a completely different drink.
So, to brew Tatar tea, in addition to the above ingredients, you will need an iron teapot, chilled boiled milk without a fatty film on the surface, oregano, currants, mint and cherry leaves. Dried plants can be used. If you can't collect all the herbs, try to find at least oregano. The main secret when brewing tea in Tatar style is a certain amount of brewing in proportion to boiling water. Take at least six teaspoons of the tea leaves (even if you are preparing the tea for yourself). If your tea is large leaf, find a large teapot as the tea leaves will swell.
Making tea
Boil water in a simple kettle and rinse the teapot with boiling water so that it becomes very hot. Pour six or more teaspoons of tea and a small amount of herbs into it, which should not exceed the volume of the infusion. You can add a sugar cube or half a teaspoon of honey. Then pour boiling water over the teapot and put it on the smallest heat. Take a teaspoon, stir the tea leaves and watch the process - when the tea leaves begin to rise up, begin to gently stir it.
You need to go through three cycles of rise and fall of the foam, stirring the brew and keeping the tea in a semi-boiling state.
After that, turn off the heat, wrap the kettle tightly in a towel and wait 5-7 minutes. When all the tea leaves have sunk to the bottom, the tea is ready to drink. Take a large glass and pour the concentrated drink into it. Then add milk to it until the tea is not very dark caramel color. Then add boiling water from a simple teapot until the drink becomes soft cream. In this case, it is advisable to maintain a ratio of 1: 1: 2. Pour the prepared tea into a small teacup and drink with bread spread with honey and butter. Great combination!
