Steeped Traditions: The Cultural and Religious History of Tea in the Islamic World by Paige Benner

For those who know me in my real life know I am a tea fanatic. Black, green, red, herbal, hot or iced, with or without milk, I am obsessed. However, through all my brews of teas around the world, I never took time to recognize the culture of the tea I was enjoying, especially tea from Muslim cultures around the world.  

Although popular all over the world, tea originated in China, specifically in the southwest region by Emperor Shen Nung.[1] However, in the 9th and 10th centuries, tea reached the Islamic world likely by Silk Road trade routes that connected China to Central Asia, Persia, and the Middle East where it is mingled with other herbs in the region. An example of this route is the “Old Tea Horse Trade Road” which is a 2,500-mile-long mountain trail stretching from Tibet to as far as the Red Sea. [2]Traders have been photographed with over 150 pounds of tea on their back and walked 150 miles along these paths.

Tea wasn’t popular right away though, as coffee had a large popularity across the world. In the 18th century, tea houses started popping up across the cities in places like Iran and Iraq, where people get together to drink and socialize. These houses quickly became places of gathering, entertainment and business. 

In India, British colonization caused mass tea consumption, and many South Asian communities embraced the drink. However, similar to many cultures, they didn’t just adopt the English way of tea, they made it their own. Masala chai, a black tea infused with spices like cardamom, ginger, star anise, and milk, became a signature comfort drink for communities in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Another popular tea variety is Moroccan mint; a combination of green tea leaves combined with mint leaves. In Iran, black tea is more likely to be seen, brewed in a special teapot called a samovar. Turkish tea, also known as çay is integral, brewed using a double teapot system. In Yemen, a tea tradition called Qishr is unique to the region. Qishr is especially unique, as it is made using coffee husk. The outer layer is dried, then brewed like tea, which makes for a lighter tea-like flavor with a lower caffeine content. [3]  

In many non-Muslim areas of the world, alcohol is often the drink served at gatherings or shared between friends. In Islam however, alcohol is forbidden. Tea has a similar community effect and is often enjoyed in place of alcohol in social and public gatherings. It has forever been a symbol of hospitality and good will in Islamic cultures and among Muslims across the world. Tea truly transcends social class, religion, and national borders, and is a unifying factor that Muslims across the world reap the benefits of. I’ll leave you with a wonderful chart detailing the characteristics of tea from around the world. I hope you try a new one near you! 

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Paige Benner is a Senior at the O’Neill school studying Policy Analysis with a minor in Education Analysis. She is also a research assistant for 2 projects centered on civic activity and faith-based organizations in the non-profit sector. At IU, she also serves as the Secretary-General for IndianaMUNC XI, and enjoys making and selling art.