Tea Question - Russian tea time

The tea at russian tea time is very delicious. Does anyone know what it is? Their website features many teas but I don't remember picking but just asking for a cup of russian tea.

Could it be this?

Russian Caravan

Smokey Blend of Lap sang Souchong and other fine quality Indian and Chinese black teas. The unique aroma and taste is reminiscent of the campfires of traders as they made the camel-ridden long journey over the Silk Road.

The description alone makes it seem worth it.

hmm. I don't know. It did not taste smoky but maybe spicy or fruity.

It is really good, and better be for $5 (though the sugar and citrus service and servingware are certainly worth something).

I'm not sure who does their blend but will try to find out. The similar Russian (actually Ukrainian, but sold throughout the former SSR) black aromatic tea I like and bring back from trips is labeled Клеопатра (Cleopatra); it's online here but this is probably not going to help:

http://goods.marketgid.com/goods/6253945/

Note: Klara Muchnich is from Uzbekistan, where tea is even more ritualistic than in Russia, so her source may be there. Chaihanna (the name means teahouse, after all) in Buffalo Grove should also have strong opinions and recs.

I think they blend their own tea, and you can buy it there.

Their fruity tea I'm pretty sure they explained to me is black currant flavored. Upton Teas on the web sells something similar. I couldn't find a retail store tea that came close, but didn't try a specialty tea store.

Their website does, indeed, feature a number of teas. I wonder whether the simplest explanation might not be the best: their list of black teas includes a "house" blend, a combination of of Chinese and Indian teas, with no further explanation of which Chinese or Indian teas are in it. Given that it's less expensive than other varietals available, wouldn't it seem likely (at least) to be what they'd bring if you just asked for tea? My suspicion is that it wouldn't be out of place to ask if you could buy some of their blend "to go."

gooseberry wrote:Could it be this?

Russian Caravan

Smokey Blend of Lap sang Souchong and other fine quality Indian and Chinese black teas. The unique aroma and taste is reminiscent of the campfires of traders as they made the camel-ridden long journey over the Silk Road.

The description alone makes it seem worth it.

I had this, and it smells like a sausage shop (I mean this as a compliment). It is definitely smoky and quite delicious.

I think the tea they serve "from the samovar" is a black currant blend.

Thanks everyone. Black current tea is on my shopping list.

General Russian Tea Time question-- is this an appropriate place to grab a quick bite before a 7:30 show at the Auditorium? Or does eating there take a long time?

Thanks!

If you plan your time accordingly and let them know when you need to be out, it might be-
but I have generally experienced more "relaxed" service there- however they might be quick if you asked them to be.

I had an extremely positive pre-theatre experience at Trattoria 10, which is also nearby.
Daughter and I were running EXTREMELY late due to much heavier than expected traffic, and had much less than an hour before we would have to leave.
Waiter was an absolute GEM!
Told us exactly what options could come from the kitchen quickly,
brought us the check with the entrees, and got us out the door with bellies full of the most delicious lobster ravioli I have ever had in something like 40 min.
I will be so happy to return when I am able to enjoy a more leisurely dinner.

http://www.trattoriaten.com/

irisarbor wrote:If you plan your time accordingly and let them know when you need to be out, it might be-
but I have generally experienced more "relaxed" service there- however they might be quick if you asked them to be.

I had an extremely positive pre-theatre experience at Trattoria 10, which is also nearby.
Daughter and I were running EXTREMELY late due to much heavier than expected traffic, and had much less than an hour before we would have to leave.
Waiter was an absolute GEM!
Told us exactly what options could come from the kitchen quickly,
brought us the check with the entrees, and got us out the door with bellies full of the most delicious lobster ravioli I have ever had in something like 40 min.
I will be so happy to return when I am able to enjoy a more leisurely dinner.

http://www.trattoriaten.com/

Thank you for the suggestion-- Trattoria 10 sounds much nicer than Epic Burger, which is our running-really-late fallback.

by the way they now sell the black currant tea on line from their web site with some other tea accessories.

http://russianteatime.com/russian-tea-time-shop/

Twinings sells a black currant tea online.

Last time I ate there, the server told me it was a blend of Darjeeling, Black Currant and Ceylon. I've played around with different proportions of these and find it quite suitable.

Katie wrote:Twinings sells a black currant tea online.

I've also seen it in stores, but haven't been looking recently.

rickster wrote:

Katie wrote:Twinings sells a black currant tea online.

I've also seen it in stores, but haven't been looking recently.

I didn't comment on seeing it in local stores because I wasn't sure, but I thought I had too. I'll keep my eyes open and post again if I see it around.

Would suggest trying the Czar Nicholas "Nostalgia" Russian tea. It was highly, highly recommended to me by a Russian colleague. I've linked to Amazon, but it's for sale at Marketplace on Oakton in Skokie, along with several other of the Czar Nicholas tea varieties. Quality stuff.

Marketplace on Oakton
4817 W Oakton
Skokie, IL
847.677.9330