Each country has its customs and traditions, and as a traveler, I like to enjoy them. When it comes to food, I have tried the local traditional cuisines such as kebabs in Turkey, nasi lemak in Malaysia, and plov in Tajikistan, among others.
Recently, I had the pleasure of exploring Azerbaijan, where I was introduced to the fascinating Azerbaijan tea culture and its unique pairing with fruit jams.
Tea is considered a sign of hospitality in the culture of Azerbaijan and is often served with different fruit jams.
Walnut and Cherry Jam at Qiz Qalasi Cay Bagi
Black tea is an integral part of Azerbaijan tea culture, much like in Turkey. While I didn’t find a significant difference in the taste between Azeri and Turkish tea, the preparation methods do vary.
In Azerbaijan tea is brewed in a traditional metal teapot called “samovar”. Traditionally, it was used to heat water for making tea in Russia.
Samovar (Metal Tea Pot) at Qiz Qalasi Cay Bagi, Baku, Azerbaijan
One of the delightful traditions in Azerbaijan is to enjoy tea with different fruit jams. I was impressed with the amount of varieties of jams, including walnut, strawberry, apricot, and plum, among many others.
These jams are commonly served with tea in most cafés and restaurants throughout the country, adding a sweet twist to the tea-drinking experience.
During my stay, my tour guide took me to a beautiful café called Qiz Qalasi Tea House (Qiz Qalasi Cay Bagi). It is located near the Maiden Tower in Baku and is a beloved cultural spot in the heart of old Baku. The ambiance was warm and inviting and beautifully decorated with traditional Azeri décor kilims.
Stepping into Qiz Qalasi Çay Bağı in Baku – Ready to savor fruit jam with authentic Azeri tea!
My tour guide recommended and ordered walnut and cherry jam to enjoy alongside traditional Azeri tea.
The tea arrived in a Samovar (Metal Tea Pot), accompanied by lemon slices, sugar cubes, and both cherry and walnut jam.
In Azeri culture, sugar cubes are served separately, allowing you to slightly dip them into the tea and eat it. They do not add and mix sugar directly into tea.
Tea is typically served in pear-shaped cups, a tradition I found charmingly unique to Azerbaijan.
In Azerbaijan, sugar cubes are eaten with tea instead of being mixed in.
Personally, I found the walnut jam, which contains pieces of nut, to be less sweet compared to the cherry jam. It paired perfectly with the Azeri tea, creating a delightful combination of flavors.
Upon my request, the tour guide suggested walnut jam as the best complement to Azeri tea, and I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing it in Azerbaijan.
I highly recommend a visit to Qiz Qalasi Çay Bağı café in Baku not just for its beautiful Azeri cultural décor, but also for the unforgettable combination of walnut jam and tea.