In this section of our series "A world of tea", we turn our attention to western Asia - more specifically Iran. Although the country hardly evokes the same connotations for tea as, for example, China , Iran's tea history still has a certain connection to China. Take a trip to Persian and learn more about Iranian tea culture.
Iran is a country with proud tea traditions, and is today the world's 9th largest producer of tea. Iranians themselves enjoy most of the tea produced locally, but they also import tea from India and Africa .
Coffee was once the most popular drink in Iran, but in the late 16th century, tea became more readily available thanks to the Silk Road leading to China. In Iran, special teahouses, chaikhanehs, were popular meeting places for men to enjoy tea and sweets while the women drank tea at home.
Iran's tea story also has an exciting twist. Kashef Al Saltaneh, Tehran's first mayor, in 1882 established tea plantations in Gilan, a region in northwestern Iran on the Caspian Sea. He brought seeds from India and posed as a French worker on the plantations to gain access to the knowledge of tea production. As a former ambassador to India, he was aware that the British were keeping important information about tea production a secret.
Taking advantage of his diplomatic status, he avoided baggage checks during his journey home. His efforts contributed to the development of tea production in Iran.
In Iran, tea is drunk in the same way as in Russia and Turkey, using the samovar method. Pre-brewed tea concentrates are diluted with water according to individual preferences. When enjoying tea in Iran, small lumps of sugar are used that are placed between the teeth while drinking. Sometimes saffron is also added to give the tea an extra flavor dimension.
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