Azərbaycan Çayı (Azerbaijani Tea with Jam and Lemon)
Local name: Azərbaycan çayı
In short: Strong black tea brewed in a small pot, poured into pear-shaped glasses and served with lemon, sugar and little dishes of fruit jam. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 55 kcal
Tea is how Azerbaijanis welcome guests, finish a meal and fill a long afternoon. It is brewed strong in a small pot, poured into small pear-shaped glasses called armudu and cut with hot water to taste. Dishes of jam, such as sour cherry, quince or walnut, go on the table with lemon and sugar. Take a spoonful of jam, then a sip.
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil in a kettle. Rinse a small teapot with a splash of the boiling water and pour it away.
- Put the tea and cardamom in the teapot and pour in about 250 ml (1 cup) boiling water. Cover and steep for 5 to 7 minutes, keeping the pot warm on top of the kettle if you can.
- Pour about 60 ml (1/4 cup) of the strong tea into each of 4 small glasses.
- Top up each glass with hot water from the kettle to taste. About 100 ml (scant 1/2 cup) gives a medium-strength tea.
- Serve at once, with a lemon slice in each glass and the jam and sugar cubes in small dishes alongside, with teaspoons.
Tips
- Use a robust black tea. The concentrate in the pot is meant to be strong, and it keeps well for a second round of glasses with fresh hot water.
- Any thick fruit jam works. Sour cherry, quince and fig are classic, and walnut jam is a favorite when guests come.
Questions and answers
Why is Azerbaijani tea served in pear-shaped glasses?
The narrow waist keeps the heat in the bowl of the glass, while the wide rim lets the tea cool a little as you sip. It is also simply the tradition.
Can I use tea bags?
Yes. Steep 3 tea bags in 250 ml (1 cup) boiling water for 5 minutes for the concentrate, then dilute each glass with hot water.
How do you eat the jam with tea?
Take a small spoonful of jam on its own between sips, rather than stirring it into the glass. The sweet and tart fruit balances the strong tea.
How long does it take to make Azərbaycan Çayı (Azerbaijani Tea with Jam and Lemon)?
About 15 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Azərbaycan Çayı (Azerbaijani Tea with Jam and Lemon)?
About 55 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 14 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 55 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 13 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
