Tea table: serving features

Everyone knows the phrase "tea ceremony in China." Indeed, the Chinese cultivated this event, making it their own special, significant tradition. But even in Russia, tea drinking has always received great attention, so the rules for serving the table and the behavior during the tea meal were formed.

Traditionally in Russia, tea was served in large copper samovars, which were melted on coals with a special boot. Families were large, and such an attribute invariably gathered everyone at the same table.

It is worth noting that the culture of tea drinking with a samovar begins to revive. On sale more often you can find a modern electric version for a different volume. Such a product is really able to attract attention and rally family members and friends over a cup of flavored drink.

Exotic lovers should try to embody the idea of ​​a real tea ceremony in China. It is important that the attributes match. Get a Chinese-style dinner set, think over the table decor.

Proper table setting helps not to miss important details, to organize the space on the table so that nothing would interfere with anyone, but everything was available. Taking into account cultural peculiarities, it is worthwhile to divide the concepts of serving into Russian and Chinese styles.

Purely Russian tea etiquette in modern times is gone. This phenomenon has undergone changes for many decades under the influence of Western culture. The best European homes are trendsetters in all spheres of life, including food intake.

Everyone should be able to reach the teapot or samovar. If you expect a large number of guests, and the table is not able to accommodate all, arrange tea drinking in the Swedish manner.

When the table is selected, proceed to serving:

• If tea drinking is a continuation of the feast, then there is no need to change the tablecloth. A separate event forces us to make a table with a beautiful tablecloth and provide each guest with a napkin and a dessert plate.

• The napkin should be folded and given a square, rectangular or triangular shape. Its place is to the left of the plate, and the free side is always turned to the right.

• Provide every guest with appliances. The tea ceremony involves the presentation of dessert dishes, so the table should have dessert forks or spoons, knives for butter or jam, and there should be a separate spoon in jam, jam or honey.

• The fork and knife are placed to the left of the plate, while the blade of the knife is facing the plate. Spoon put on the right.

• Be sure to place a saucer under the cup. This set is placed to the right of the spoon.

• If a special dessert is provided, for example, a birthday cake, provide each guest with a special plate.

• It is permissible to decorate the table with flowers in a vase. Stems should not be long, it can interfere with the review. All those present must see each other during the conversation.

When all the necessary appliances are gathered on the table, it's time to move on to the placement of dishes:

• Make sure that teapots with different types of tea — black, green, herbal — are on the table.

• If you are serving sugar in the form of refined sugar, sugar bowl should be accompanied by tongs, crumbly sand served with a spoon.

• Place a thinly sliced ​​lemon on a separate plate.

• You can use a multi-level stand for sweets and snacks, especially if the table is small.

In order for the event to acquire true Russian features, place a samovar in the middle of the table.It will give an atmosphere of comfort and will be the object of admiration. A tablecloth and napkins with traditional ornaments and patterns embroidered on them will help to support the entourage.

China is the home country of the ritual of tea consumption. It was there that they first learned to enjoy the taste and aroma of a hot drink, and also built this tradition into cultural heritage.

The Chinese tea ceremony is famous for its special attributes. To create the necessary entourage, be sure to adopt the following nuances:

• In a small company, instead of cups, use special dishes - gaiwan. It consists of three elements: a saucer, a cup without a handle (100 - 350 ml) and a lid with a hole through which tea is drunk. Brew the drink directly in gaivan.

• Cute clay teapots with Chinese characters or painted with traditional motifs are called Yixin. In the original, Yixin is molded by hand from special clay, which is mined at the shore of Lake Tai. It has excellent qualities after firing and keeps the drink hot for a long time.

• After the tea is present, it is poured into a special jug - Cha-Hai.

• There are two types of cups used in China for the tea ceremony: high and narrow - Xiang Bay, wide and low - Pin Bay. Sometimes both cups are served simultaneously on a special Bainch-Jan porcelain stand. Flat stand can be round or square, it is designed to combine cups in a harmonious ensemble.

• On the tea table is always present boiler with hot water.

• Special capacity Cha-He, in which dry tea leaves are stored directly. In China, it is customary to acquaint guests with the kind of tea that will be presented. Thus, guests become aware of the status of the owner. Krupnolistovaya previously could only afford the wealthy class, while the poor strata were sometimes content with tea dust.

• A porcelain spoon on a tea ceremony is necessary in order to choose tea leaves from tea leaves and clean the teapot's nose.

• Bamboo spoon serves as a dispenser for dry brewing.

• All the necessary utensils are brought to the table at the moment when all the guests have gathered, on a special wooden tray - Cha-Pan.

During the tea ceremony a prerequisite is the identity of the painting on all objects utensils. All cups, saucers and teapots are taken from only one set. It is not allowed that at least one saucer or cup be chipped.

If during the tea-time guests need to each sit in their place, then the basis for the table layout is the principle that everyone has their own necessary devices and a cup with a saucer and a dessert plate in front of the guest.

If the table is long and rectangular, make sure that there are dishes on each side of the table. Better look elongated vases that are placed along the table. The tablecloth for a round or oval table should not hang down below the level of the seat by the chair. For square tables, sometimes two tablecloths are used, which are spread over each other, but displaced by 45 degrees.

Buffet is served differently. Service with a kettle and brewing grouped separately from sweets or other snacks. It is desirable that the tea sets were 1-2 more than the number of guests, in case something breaks.

One of the best reasons to gather around the table is the celebration of a birthday or a new year. No one imagines birthday without a cake with candles. In addition, guests can offer candy, cookies or marmalade.

For the wedding, too, order a huge multi-level cakes. New Year's table can be decorated with cakes. In addition, the appropriate pudding, dishes based on jelly, fruit salad.If the party takes place in a buffet format, it is worth considering the option of making sweet canapes on skewers or small cups with desserts based on berries, whipped cream and sponge cake.

Trendy coffee cupcakes are suitable both for meeting a large group of guests, and for tea drinking for a couple of friends. Daily and informal occasions suggest any set of sweets - a croissant with jam and honey, a number of candies in a vase, waffles, cookies.

Multi-level coasters really save space and allow you to enjoy sweets for each guest. Properly chosen colors are in harmony not only on the covered table, but also in the interior as a whole.

Buffet with a samovar - an unusual mixture of age-old Russian traditions and Western trends. As an additional decor are candles.

The Chinese tea ceremony takes place in an atmosphere of calm and unity with nature, so there is no familiar understanding of the table and chairs. Guests can sit directly on the floor.

For information on how to properly serve the tea table, see the following video.