The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world.ASTANA – Tea holds a special place in Kazakh culture, serving as a centerpiece of hospitality and social gatherings. Families often unite over tea, and these occasions can last for hours.
Nearly every traditional Kazakh custom includes tea drinking, from celebrations to solemn occasions. Whether celebrating the birth of a child or remembering a loved one, tea is always present. Guests, regardless of the reason for their visit, are always offered a cup.
Tea is usually served with an assortment of treats, including boiled sugar, kurt (dried cheese curds), zhent (sweet food made of wheat and dairy), candies and baursaks .Photo credit: advantour.comFor centuries, Kazakhs led a nomadic lifestyle, and their preferred drink was kumys [fermented mare’s milk].
However, tea, introduced via the Silk Road as early as the second century B.C., gradually became popular.
Caravans transported Chinese tea through Semirechye and South Kazakhstan, where it became valued for its warming effect in winter and ability to quench thirst in the summer. Tea remained a luxury for centuries due to its high cost. The decline of the Silk Road in the 14th century nearly halted its supply.
However, in the late 19th century, tea-drinking customs arrived from Russia, first gaining popularity among the elite before spreading across all social classes. Over time, tea became a national tradition, uniting nomadic communities. Tod.