Drinking Tea Like An Egyptian

Consuming Tea Like An Egyptian

Glassy red-brew and tea biscuits, there’s nothing fairly like an Egyptian cup of shai. Ever since its introduction by the British within the sixteenth century, tea has turn into a staple of the Egyptian family; kitchens are lined with loose-leaf variants, Shai El Aroosa tea-bags, and conventional crystal glasses made only for its enjoyment.

A classless drink, one discovered throughout the nation. Whereas some take pleasure in it with a aspect of mastic shisha, others will dip butter biscuits into their brew and dine away. Not like Chinese language and British customs, that dedicate explicit durations of the day to tea, Egyptians are prone to take pleasure in shai at any given second – be that within the early morning, or nicely previous a family’s bedtime.

Maybe as a result of affordability, although largely as a result of selection, Egypt has developed an area tradition round consuming tea. After its transition from socialism to republicanism, the age of consumerism has solely inspired import commerce in Egypt. Based on Hackberry Tea, locals devour “65,000 to 75,000” tonnes of tea yearly, regardless of importing the overwhelming majority from different international locations resembling Kenya and Sri Lanka.

The act of consuming tea, nevertheless, has graduated from a pleasing night ritual, to a core aspect of Egyptian hospitality. Egyptians will supply a number of cups to family members in a single sitting, and serve it after any meal supplied to a visitor. It’s a easy and modest present of affection and courtesy that stretches throughout social taboos and preferences, a love letter to those that are usually not keen on espresso and whose ideas skip on wine. In lots of houses, there’s a small mint plant on the windowsill and a plastic tray devoted to serving that sweet-smelling sugared black tea.

The alternatives in Egypt are infinite, although there are some significantly widespread teas value sharing. Koshari Shai is a favourite of the north; mild and aromatic, it’s complemented with sugar cane and contemporary mint. That is one in every of Cairo’s defaults with regards to tea orders, and is colloquially known as Shai El Arab.

Alternatively the south has its personal darling: Sa’idi Shai. Daring, bitter, and black, this Camellia sinensis based mostly tea is usually brewed with milk to melt the style, together with the sweet-toothed Egyptian addition of sugar, honey, and a aspect of baklava. Perhaps backgammon, too.

However tea tradition in Egypt isn’t tea tradition with out mentioning the glories and comfort of teabags. Bagged tea is the commonest manner most locals take pleasure in their tea – it’s exhausting to disregard Lipton, Shai El Aroosa or Ahmad Tea as robust pillars of this benign consuming tradition.

Whichever manner it’s had, there’s no denying that tea is it’s personal expertise in Egypt – the silence and heat, the deep, sentimental connections made with others over it. It doesn’t lend itself to fast runs and on-the-go cups of joe. Egyptians use every sip as a second of reprieve from the hard-knock life many should battle every day.

Subscribe to our e-newsletter