Gastronomy – Azerbaijan

What could be better for these cold winter days than a steaming cup of tea?

In Azerbaijan, tea culture is an important social practice that shows hospitality, builds and maintains social ties, and is used to celebrate important moments in the lives of communities. In 2022, Culture of Çay (tea), a symbol of identity, hospitality and social interaction was inscribed on UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Although there are several types of tea and brewing techniques, local communities primarily harvest and consume black tea. They brew tea by using a wide variety of kettles, produced using traditional craftsmanship.

The drink is served freshly-brewed and hot, in pear-shaped cups made from glass, porcelain, faience or silver. It is typically accompanied by sweets, sugar, lemon slices, jams and dried fruits. In certain regions of the country, some communities also add local spices and herbs to the tea, such as cinnamon, ginger and thyme.

Tea culture is an essential part of daily life for all layers of society, providing a strong sense of cultural identity. The bearers include tea farmers and harvesters, tearoom owners, tea makers, and the artisans who make the associated tools, utensils and sweets.

Bonus Trivia!

The culture of çay is an integral part of Türkiye as well.

Watch this video and learn more.

Sources & photographs taken from: https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/culture-of-cay-tea-a-symbol-of-identity-hospitality-and-social-interaction-01685

Photograph No 1: © M.Rahimov/Ministry of Culture, Azerbaijan, 2013

Photograph No 2: © MoCT, 2020

Photograph No 3: © AZERTAC

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