From the copper kettle to the heart… the story of Iraqi tea

Iraqi Tea… The Fragrant Gatherings and Warming Hearts

In every corner of Iraq, from the mountainous north to the riverine south, from the bustling cities to the quiet countryside, you’ll find one thing in common: tea. It’s not just a hot beverage served as a welcome drink; it’s a culture, a symbol, and a spirit present in the daily lives of Iraqis. Its roots stretch back centuries, thriving in every cup poured into a small metal tray over a low flame.

A Daily Ritual… Never Boring

Tea in Iraq is not a passing event; it’s part of the rhythm of life. It begins mornings and ends nights, and is a staple in gatherings between friends, family gatherings, and official and unofficial visits. Its preparation and presentation are an art with its own rituals, beginning with choosing the type of tea, boiling it over charcoal or gas, and then pouring it into transparent glass cups that reveal its dark, reddish color.

Iraqi tea is typically strong and concentrated, boiled over low heat until it reaches its maximum strength, then poured in stages to retain its warmth and enhance its flavor. It is often served with sugar to taste, but sometimes drunk without sugar for its pure intensity.

The Tea Cup… More Than Just a Cup

Iraqi tea is not drunk in a large cup or mug, but rather in what is known as an “istikan,” a small, transparent glass cup, often thin and elegant, that accurately displays the color of the tea. It is said that a good isikan should be lightweight and have thin edges, providing the drinker with a sense of comfort and privacy.

The isikan is also a popular symbol in Iraqi poetry and song, associated with love and nostalgia, and often used to express emotional warmth and everyday simplicity.

Tea and Iraqi Majlis

In popular cafes or at home, tea is served as a token of welcome and generosity. No Iraqi hospitality is complete without a “tea tray.” In tribal gatherings, among sheikhs, and in working-class neighborhoods, tea is prepared slowly, as if time stands still until the flavor matures.

Tea often accompanies long conversations, discussions of politics, poetry, or memories. It is not just a drink… it is a key to conversation, a conduit for revelation, and the master of quiet moments.

Favorite Types of Tea in Iraq

Iraqis prefer strong black tea, and consider Ceylon tea to be the finest type to suit their taste. Some also like to add a touch of cardamom for a distinctive aromatic flavor, or dried lemon (loumi) for those who prefer a slightly sour taste.

Some add fresh mint leaves, and others prefer the taste as is: clear, dark, and strong.

Benefits of Iraqi Tea

Beyond being a social beverage, tea has many health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants, aids digestion, stimulates the mind, and contributes to hydration and maintaining focus. Remarkably, the Iraqi brewing method, which relies on slow boiling, helps extract the greatest amount of beneficial elements.

“Iraqi Flavor” Store… The Flavor of the Homeland in a Cup

Amidst this rich heritage, the Iraqi Flavor Store offers you an authentic tea experience, full of flavor and memories. We don’t just offer tea; we offer a complete Iraqi ritual, starting with selecting the finest authentic Ceylon tea, to providing traditional cups, natural cardamom tins, and everything you need to prepare tea just as if you were sitting in an old Iraqi home.

At the Iraqi Flavor Store, we pay attention to detail: We carefully select our tea to be rich, dark, and deep in flavor. We also deliver it in packaging that preserves its quality so it arrives fresh, as if it just came out of a copper pot.

Whether you live in Iraq or abroad, missing the flavor of childhood and family gatherings, or are experiencing Iraqi culture for the first time, Iraqi Flavor guarantees a true journey to the heart of Iraq… with every sip of tea.

In conclusion

Iraqi tea is not just a daily beverage; it is an aspect of Iraqi identity that has endured the test of time. It is a symbol of hospitality, a bridge of love, and a memory poured with every cup. Every time you raise your teacup, you raise with it a story of a homeland, a longing for a warm home, and the voice of a mother calling, “Come, have a cup of tea.”

Through the Iraqi Flavor store, you can now relive those moments with ease, quality, and a flavor no less than that of your homeland.