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History of Russian Samovar
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If you want to enjoy an authentic Russian tea experience, you will need to use a samovar. This is a traditional metal container that is used to heat water, and it is deeply embedded in traditional Russian tea culture. You pour hot water from the samovar to dilute the tea to your desired strength.
Although these items are not as popular as they once were, they may be used during special occasions. Tourists can often find a beautifully painted or ornate metal samovar in Russian markets, particularly at Moscow's Izmaylovo Market. However, it may be difficult to bring the item out of the country if it is considered a Russian antique. We're going to discuss the history of the traditional samovar which is often considered a treasured family heirloom with important ties to the past.
The Popularity of Tea
Tea was often delivered to Russia from West Mongolia in the 17th century, and nobility of the time used it as medicine. This beverage was made of medicinal herbs, honey and hot water, and it quickly became one of the most popular drinks in all of Russia. The first samovar-kitchens were invented in the 18th century. They contained three separate areas; two were designed specifically for cooking meals and the other one was designed solely for making tea.
The First Samovars
The first samovars were created in Tula, Saint-Petersburg, Moscow and the Urals. They began to appear in the provinces of Vyatskaya, Vladimirskaya and Yaroslavskaya a little later. Nasar Usitsin established the first samovar factory in 1778 in a town called Tula. The area became famous worldwide thanks to its samovar creations. The location of the town was prime because it contained numerous ore mines. The great number of local qualified artisans who were masters of working with metal also helped with the production of the samovar.
With the increasing popularity of the samovar, artisans began to become manufacturers and many workshops were turned into samovar manufacturing plants. The eight samovar factories that existed in 1826 quickly grew to seventy by 1896. Red and green copper, pinchbeck, cupronickel and sometimes silver was originally used to create the samovars. Brass was almost always the basic metal, although some special samovars were plated with silver or gold.
Changing Shape of the Samovar
The shape of the samovar has continued to change throughout the centuries. There were 165 different types of samovars by the end of the 19th century. However, the manufacture of these remarkable items could not be completely mechanized. Because of the tools and time involved, only five to six samovars could be created daily. The samovar quickly became a symbol of Russian hospitality. A samovar master often attempted to outdo other craftsmen with very creative samovars.
The samovars of Tula often appeared in Russian and international exhibitions. Visitors always admired the durability and decorative designs of the Russian samovar. You could find samovars shaped as wine glasses, pears or vases. However, when the cost of manufacturing dropped, the samovar shapes were standardized and cylindrical samovars became the most common. The portable samovars created in Tula during the 19th century were almost always cubic, right-angled and multi-sided.
Samovars are much more than a domestic utensil; they are true works of art that are treasured by people worldwide. Production technology such as conveyor lines and presses has vastly improved over the past two hundred years. This has enabled more beautiful samovars to be created in Russia to this day. They continue to win medals and awards at international exhibitions and delight visitors.
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