This is a sign of respect for the guest: one pour is formality, two is neutral, three is sincere hospitality. There is a saying in Uzbekistan about three drinks.
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drinks · easy
Kok-chai - Uzbek tea ritual
Uzbek ritual of green tea: proper brewing, warming the bowls, three times pouring, serving with dried fruits and navvat.
- Preparation
- 5 min
- Cooking.
- 10 min
- Totally.
- 15 min
- portion
- 4
In Uzbek cuisine, tea is not just a drink, but a ritual of hospitality. Green tea (cock-tea) is brewed according to a special procedure: heated bowl, water temperature 75-80 ° C, three times poured into the bowl as a sign of respect for the guest, serving with dried fruits and navvat. This “recipe” is not a dish, but a cultural instruction: how to properly serve cok tea to convey the Uzbek tradition.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1. Boil water; cool to 75–80 °C (about 3 minutes after boiling).
- 2
Step 2. Warm up the choinac: pour a small amount of hot water, spin, drain.
- 3
Step 3. Pour 1 tbsp of green tea into the choinak.
- 4
Step 4. Pour water to 75-80 °C on 1/3 of the volume; insist 1 minute - this is the "opening" of the sheet.
- 5
Step 5. Add water to the full volume; insist for 2 minutes.
- 6
Step 6. Warm up each bowl with hot water; pour out the water.
- 7
Step 7. Pour each guest tea THREE – in small portions, in turn. It's a sign of respect.
- 8
Step 8. Do not fill the bowl completely - leave 1/4 free (symbol "do not displace the guest").
- 9
Step 9. On the table, put a bowl with dried apricots, raisins, walnuts, almonds and navvat.
- 10
Step 10. Serve Uzbek flatbread non next to you - give it away, breaking it with your hands.
Technological tips
- Green tea can not be poured with boiling water - it will be bitter.
- Do not add water to Choynak during tea drinking; make fresh brewing through 2-3 bowls to each.
- Sugar is not put in the cup - navat is taken separately to each sip.
- A measured pace is suitable for the ritual - Uzbek tea is "to talk", and not for quick quenching of thirst.
FAQ
Kok-chai - Uzbek tea ritual - frequent questions
A full bowl is a sign that the guest is “forced out”, that the host wants to escort him out. Half or two-thirds is a sign that you can stay for a long time.
Minimum - navat or honey (instead of sugar). To a full ritual - a bowl with dried apricots, raisins, nuts, sometimes chak-chak or halva.
Technically yes, but this is no longer an Uzbek ritual. Piala - small (150 ml), flat, convenient for slow tea drinking.
Gather a basket.
Collect ingredients for the recipe in the Uzbek bazaar
Rice, spices, dried fruits, nuts, flatbread non and tea for most recipes can be picked up at our counter. Visit Riga Central Market: Nēģu iela 7, daily from 09:00 to 17:00.