Notes
1 The actual date for introduction of tea to Russia is 1638. 1
2 Tea was first introduced in Sukhumi, Georgia, in 1842. 2
3Azerbaijan became a major center for the production of tea in 1912. 3
4It should be mentioned that this tea, actually light green in color, is called choi kabud (Blue Tea); it is drank by the majority of the Tajiks and in large quantities. The tea is drank straight, i.e., without sugar and sometimes scalding hot. 4
5The Dushanbe riots occurred in mid-February 1990. We were at the tea house towards the end of May. Things had not sorted themselves out yet. In fact, they never did as the riots were precursors to more ominous times to come. 5
6Generally, three instruments are used in producing and serving tea at home; they are a samovar, a choinik (teapot), and a piyola (cup). Samovar and choinik are borrowed directly from Russian. Piyola is a flat cup without a handle.6
7The Rohat teahouse was built in the 1958-59 by architects D. D. Gendlin and K. N. Terledkii. 7
8The Faroghat teahouse was built in the 1970's by architects G. V. Salaminod and Sh. Zubaidov. 8
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