Armuds for tea and coffee: what are they, crystal and glass Turkish cups, sets of Azerbaijani teaware

In some countries, drinking tea or coffee is not only a lunch break or a morning ritual, it is a whole tradition. Such countries are, for example, Azerbaijan, where the tradition of tea drinking is highly valued, and Turkey, where coffee is given a special place. Of course, in this case you need special utensils. It migrated to the vast expanses of Russia, and now armuds are gaining more and more popularity.

In eastern countries, armudas are used for tea drinking.

What are coffee and tea cups?

Armuds are special oriental containers for tea and coffee. They are traditionally made from glass. They cannot be called mugs or cups, because they have a different shape from the one we are used to.

Tea cups are small pear-shaped Turkish cups without a handle.

Armud features:

They do not have handles, unlike the mugs and cups we are used to.
They are pear-shaped (or tulip-shaped): the top of the cup is widened, the bottom is narrowed, and the central part is the narrowest.
They are usually served in a glass holder with a handle or on a saucer.

In Farsi, “armudy” is a pear.

To some extent, they can be compared to the tea glasses in which tea was previously served, for example, on trains. They were also used with a cup holder.

Previous competitor

And before the big cup of coffee, which is located in the USA at the Mandalay Bay casino, there were record holders in this category.

On April 1, 2007, in Panama, the local coffee company Duran decided to celebrate its centenary with fire. They ordered a mug 2.75 meters high and 1.5 meters in diameter. The giant holds 750 liters of liquid.

The Duran mug is not as large as the one from Mandalay Bay, but until 2010 it held the championship laurels.

Interesting! What is coffee made from?

The meaning of armud in Azerbaijan

In Azerbaijan, the tradition of tea drinking occupies a special place. The first mention of a teahouse in written sources of this country was back in the 10th century. At that time, a teahouse was a special place where people gathered not only to drink tea, but mainly to discuss the political life of the country and conduct philosophical conversations.

The oriental tea glass got its name due to its shape, narrowed at the bottom, widened at the neck and very narrow in the center.

However, tea played a very important role in this establishment. The teahouse owner had to be able to brew very good and tasty tea. This played a leading role in choosing the place for conversations.

On a note! In the old days, the whole city knew good teahouse owners by name, and people specially came from other cities to get to a certain teahouse.

You can drink the noble drink from the cups after spilling without fear of getting burned.

Of course, tea was served in such establishments in special mugs - armudu. They had the same shape as the Turkish ones, only local residents compared its shape with the silhouette of a female figure.

Moreover, the tradition of tea drinking was maintained not only in teahouses, but also in every home in Azerbaijan. The guest had to be offered tea, and each family kept several sets of armudu cups: for everyday use and for banquets.

Famous Vegas Giant

When and who created

It is believed that the largest cup of coffee is located in the Mandalay Bay casino in the United States. Repost. Despite the fact that there are larger vessels in the world, this giant from Nevada enjoys fame.

The reason for this interest is the show that the owners of the establishment organized on the occasion of the opening of this “monument”. And also the tourist attraction of Las Vegas compared to where competitors have installed other cups.

The record holder was presented to the public on October 15, 2010. The Blog World Expo blogger party took place in the same building. The idea to install a large mug belonged to entrepreneur Ryan Abood. He chose the best time and place to make a sensation.

Bloggers were impressed by Ryan's idea. Thanks to their efforts, the whole world learned about the giant cup. And in 2011 she was included in the Guinness Book of Records.

Mug dimensions

Hundreds of people saw the mug at the opening. And now, for her sake, the Mandalay Bay Repost casino is visited by thousands a year. It attracts the attention of tourists due to the following parameters:

height - 2.4 meters;
volume - 7608 liters or 32160 coffee cups.

To fill the giant mug, Rain Abudu's team brewed coffee for 8 hours - from 4 am to 12 midnight. This required 0.5 kilograms of first-class Arabica beans from Colombia and a pair of huge coffee machines. After that, ice was added to the drink, cooled to 45 degrees and turned into a swimming pool.

Interesting! Pressure. How and with what to raise blood pressure using home methods and without medications?

It would seem an unreasonable move to drain 400-500 liters of coffee in order to swim in a makeshift pool for the sake of the show. But photos of people sitting in their clothes in a coffee bath have spread across the world wide web. Perhaps that's why there's such a stir around giant coffee mugs.

Where are the popular Turkish tea cups

Persia is considered the birthplace of armud. Translated from Farsi (Persian language), this word means “pear”. However, as a result of multiple Turkish-Persian wars, the Armuds migrated to Turkey and took root there. Therefore, some researchers consider the Ottoman Empire (modern Turkey) to be the birthplace of armuds.

The shape of the Turkish tea cup allows the liquid to cool quickly at the top and keeps the heat at the bottom for a long time.

At the moment, these cups are popular in other eastern countries, in European countries, as well as in the CIS.

Varieties and accessories of Azerbaijani mugs

During tea drinking, the armud is held by the middle or top. However, if it is filled with hot liquid, it is not entirely comfortable. Therefore, there is a set of accessories for such cups that simplify their use.

Armud with handle

European countries found it completely inconvenient to use a tea cup without a handle. This led to the appearance of a variety - armud with a handle. They have the same shape, are made of the same material, and can also have traditional painting. The only difference is the presence of a handle, which greatly simplifies the use of this cookware.

When pouring tea, leave 10 mm. to the edge of the cup, this allows you to protect your lips from contact with hot water.

Cup holders

But traditional armudas do not have handles, so for convenience they are served in cup holders that have this element. Coasters were often used only for ceremonial tea parties, so they were made of silver and other valuable metals, in the Sultan’s family - even gold.

Just like Turkish coffee cups, the drink is served in a glass holder with a handle or on specially designed saucers.

Nowadays you can find sets of cup holders for armudas made of copper and other cheaper materials.

On a note! Cup holders for armudas have a special shape, not the same as for the usual tea glasses.

Saucer for armud cups

In Turkey and other eastern countries, saucers are more often used than cup holders. The latter were usually made of expensive metals and were intended for special occasions. Saucers were used in everyday life, as well as in the first teahouses.

Armud for tea is a cultural heritage of the Ottomans. Many tourists want to try drinking tea from this glass.

On a note! To this day, the most common accessory for armud is the saucer.

Saucers are made from the same material as mugs. They are usually sold as a set. Often this set is complemented by a teapot made in the same style.

Subsequent record

A year later, in October 2011, Puerto Rican coffee maker Yaucono installed an even larger mug as a PR stunt. It was impossible to swim in it, but there was more liquid in it than in the previous cup. Options:

height - 3.3 meters;
number of liters - 10400.

Puerto Rico is administered by the United States of America. Therefore, the cup from Mandalay Bay lost the title of “largest coffee mug” in the United States.

But this did not deprive her of popularity among Vegas guests. At least for them, it is still the largest cup of coffee in the United States, which is located in the western part of this country.

It is unknown whether the PR move brought success to the Yaucono company. But he gave the idea to another company - De'Longhi - a world leader in the production of household appliances and tableware, including mugs.

In 2012, De'Longhi launched sets of designer coffee mugs for sale. And with the “monument” from Puerto Rico she decided to attract the attention of consumers.

Materials of Turkish teaware

Not only the shape, but also the material of manufacture is designed for comfortable tea drinking. Initially, armudu was blown from glass. It had to be transparent, free from darkening, bubbles and other defects. This was done in order to be able to check the transparency of the tea.

On a note! Good tea should be transparent and have a slightly reddish tint.

Armud made of glass or porcelain is used for every day.

The quality of tea in crystal glassware is clearly visible, which is why it was most popular. Moreover, crystal is considered noble glass and was used to make dishes only for nobles.

At the moment, of course, glassblowers have been replaced by production machines, so armuda is made from different materials and of any variety.

Glass classic armudu

The classic of the genre is glass. Modern manufacturers do not deviate from traditions either. At the moment, there is no longer such strictness regarding the crystal transparency of the cups, however, quality control exists, and of course there should be no defects.

Glass armudu can be transparent or have a pattern. Traditional Turkish patterns are applied to Turkish cups, and patterns of this country are applied to Azerbaijani cups. They usually form straight lines, curved lines and circles. But modern cups are often painted without taking into account traditions, using any ornaments other than animals.

Regardless of why the guest appeared on the doorstep and how long he will stay, you must definitely offer a cup of tea.

This is interesting! Silhouettes of animals cannot be applied to traditional Turkish armuda.

A cheaper and safer option would be a set of cups made of plexiglass or plastic. They also have a transparent appearance, but are not as fragile and heavy.

Crystal sets

Crystal has long been considered a noble glass. It was used to make expensive tableware for the tables of nobles. In Azerbaijan, crystal armudu stood idle in closets most of the time, and were taken out for celebrations. Nowadays everyone can afford crystal cups, but this does not make them lose their attractiveness.

Crystal armudia with saucers are made using mountain quartz, as it tolerates high temperatures remarkably well and can be easily cut.

Crystal is glass with a high content of lead or barium oxide (up to 30%). Thanks to this, its plastic properties are increased, which makes it possible to carve glass. Therefore, crystal armudas are not painted, but intricate patterns are carved on the surface. Also, the content of metal oxides increases the dispersion and refraction of light in crystal, due to which it shows an excellent play of light, like a diamond.

Of course, a crystal set will cost more than a glass or plastic one, but the appearance of the cups is worth it. It is also worth remembering that crystal is heavy and fragile, so families with children need to be careful and keep children away from such a product.

Porcelain

Porcelain is a special type of ceramic. It has long been used to create tableware. Usually these were tea sets or vases.

On a note! Chinese culture is famous for its rich cultural heritage of ceramic vases.

Hard porcelain is used to make dishes, however, it can vary in thickness. If the mugs are made with a thin layer of porcelain, they will show through. Such armudu look especially attractive.

Azerbaijani armuds are made of porcelain.

This material lends itself well to painting. Overglaze painting is used for dishes. The product is covered with glaze, fired, then paint is applied and fired again. Thanks to this technique, the paint fuses with the glaze, as a result of which the product becomes resistant to the external environment and does not fade. As a rule, the painting has no roughness, but the drawing itself may be somewhat convex.

Since the masters have a huge supply of patterns for armudu, and porcelain is excellent for this technique, it is precisely these cups that are richly decorated with paintings. If you want to feel the full flavor of national tableware, buy porcelain armuda.

Ceramics (faience)

Faience, like porcelain, is a type of ceramic. For its manufacture, the same materials are used, only in a different ratio, and a different firing technique is also used.

Unlike porcelain, it has a characteristic shine and is more like glass. The finished product is coated with a creamy glaze, giving it a smoother and more slippery texture. Typically, earthenware is made in a thick layer, so it is not as fragile as porcelain, but it is not translucent either. Armudou made of faience are made opaque and covered with a large number of painting elements.

Porcelain cups are usually used during special occasions.

Painting with colored enamels has become very popular. It is applied to a cream glaze and then fired. A set of ceramic cups costs less but has a simpler appearance. Previously, such cups, along with glass ones, were used for everyday tea drinking, and porcelain and crystal were reserved for celebrations.

Luxurious silver Turkish cups

Silver cups have long gone out of use because they are inconvenient. Silver, like any metal, transfers heat well and quickly, and also remains hot for a long time after contact with a hot liquid. Therefore, silver armudu are inconvenient for tea drinking, as they can cause burns. Moreover, silver darkens quickly, making it impractical to use.

Silver armudia are usually purchased as a gift souvenir or silver coasters are used to decorate glass cups.

Noble nobles of Turkey used them and drank sherbet from them. Since this liquid drink was served chilled, the material used was not important. Tea was usually served in glass armudas, which were set in silver or gold cup holders.

On a note! Cup holders were often inlaid with expensive stones.

If you want to purchase a silver set, buy a smaller copy, which is suitable for a gift or as a souvenir. Otherwise, they will simply be impractical.

What should you pay attention to when brewing?

Roasting

When preparing coffee in a cup, it is advisable to use local roasting - it will be fresher, which means the drink will turn out better. Moreover, the longer a product is stored in a store or at home, the more it oxidizes, resulting in an unpleasant aftertaste.

Grinding

Experts say, and many people know, that it is better to choose a fine grind for preparing coffee in a cup. Smaller coffee particles absorb water better, allowing the coffee to develop its flavor better. However, such a drink will be denser, with more pronounced acidity. But if the coffee is not of the best quality, not the freshest, it may leave an unpleasant aftertaste.

Grinding can be anything, but it affects the final taste of the drink (Photo: pixabay.com)

Some people brew their coffee with a coarser grind. In this case, the water does not penetrate so deeply into the particles, due to which the grains do not fully release all their sweetness and acidity. The drink will be light and juicier in taste.

There is one more difference between them. For example, the coarser the grind, the less caffeine in the cup.

Water

You can take any water, but the water that comes from the tap contains many different impurities that can spoil the taste of the drink. Therefore, it is preferable to buy bottled water.

And there is one trick here. It is advisable to pay attention to the level of water mineralization: it should be around 30-130 Ppm. The lower this indicator, the more pleasant and smooth the taste of the drink will be; the higher it is, the more aggressive the coffee will be and the more intense the taste.

Much attention should be paid to the temperature of brewing coffee. We are accustomed to the fact that as soon as the kettle boils, we must immediately pour water into the cup. But this is completely wrong - boiling water will simply kill all the benefits of the drink (and it is known that coffee has a positive effect on the state of the cardiovascular system, the brain, and the gastrointestinal tract).

Boiling water will make the drink “empty” (Photo: pixabay.com)

It is best if the conclusions are in the region of 92-95 degrees, no more.

Time

The longer you brew the drink, the more flavor it will produce. At the very beginning, the coffee will be sweet, then acidity comes to the “surface” and only then bitterness. By the way, a bitter drink will have more caffeine.

How to properly serve and drink drinks from Armud glasses

Drinks are served in such glasses with saucers or glass holders. When you purchase a set of dishes, be sure to ensure that you have these accessories.

The shape of a Turkish cup with a pronounced “waist” was invented for a comfortable tea ceremony.

In Azerbaijan, tea is served with jam or a lump of sugar. Refined sugar is not added to tea, but placed nearby on a saucer. The guest dips it in tea and eats it as a bite with tea. This is the tradition. It has happened since ancient times. When there was a high probability of poisoning the ruler, and the poison often dripped onto a piece of sugar, the presence of poison could be determined by dipping the sugar into the tea. If the liquid changes color or consistency or begins to bubble, it means there was poison in the sugar. In the modern world, this is just an old tradition.

Turkish tea mugs are usually sold with a volume of 100 mm, but it is possible to find sets of cups up to 150 ml.

You can serve tea with any sweets. But if you want to follow traditions and have a beautiful tea ceremony, put a piece of sugar on a saucer, put baklava and jam or jam on the table in a crystal vase.

In the service, the armudu tea glass is accompanied by a saucer that facilitates gradual cooling. It helps maintain constant heat exchange in the cup.

On a note! In eastern countries, tea is served with dried fruits.

Correct brewing in a cup

In fact, everything is simple here - pour 1-1.5 tsp in a cup. coffee (depending on taste preferences and cup size), fill with hot water.

At the same time, there is no need to cover the cup with a saucer, because you are not brewing Doshirak. On the contrary, the drink requires oxygen for normal brewing.

If you are used to drinking with spices, then add them after brewing, otherwise the initial taste of the drink may be spoiled.

By the way, you need to choose the “right” cup: it is better if it is made of earthenware or ceramics, with thick walls. Such dishes retain heat longer, which helps to brew the drink better. Also remember that during preparation the grounds will begin to swell; this is necessary to determine the volume of the drink: to prepare coffee with a volume of 150 ml, you need a container with a volume of at least 200 ml.

Brazilian recipe

It is considered the easiest option to prepare. This is the method used by professional tasters. It is best to use a medium or coarse grind product.

Making the drink is simple:

It is advisable to warm up the cup a little, so the drink will be better brewed.
Add 1.5-2 tsp. coffee and add 150 ml of water.
Leave for 5 minutes.

A foam forms on the surface, retaining the heat of the drink. It is recommended to remove it before drinking the drink.

Properly prepared coffee in a cup will be as aromatic as the one prepared using a coffee machine (Photo: pixabay.com)

Coffee prepared using the Brazilian method will be aromatic and strong, and will retain its taste.

For what occasion can you give an oriental tea set?

You can give an oriental tea set for any occasion where a gift of tableware would be appropriate. There are no special traditions or restrictions. The set is, of course, suitable for tea or coffee lovers. In the second case, the armudu should be smaller and designed specifically for coffee.

You need to take a glass of armud for tea by the middle or by the edge. To make tea drinking more comfortable, take armudas along with a saucer

Important! As a gift, choose traditional armuda without a handle and with national painting.

If it is a gift, it must comply with all the rules. And since you have decided to bring your friends an oriental tea set from Turkey, there can be no talk of any European style.

An oriental service with Turkish glasses can be bought as a gift for tea gourmets and connoisseurs of the East.

Usually such sets are sold for 4-6 people. But there are also small sets for 2 persons. They would be appropriate as a gift for a couple or one person. The main thing is that the gift is appropriate and useful, which means it should be given to true tea connoisseurs.

A crystal set of arms with a saucer can be given to housewives who love to decorate their premises.

A true champion

A huge coffee mug is located in east London, in the office district of Canary Wharf. She is titled in the Guinness Book of Records. And this “monument” is impressive not only on paper.

Let's find out how many liters the largest cup of coffee holds and its other parameters. It reaches a height of 2.9 meters and a width of 2.6 meters. Weight - 12.8 tons, volume - 13,000 liters or 216,000 coffee mugs.

This means that if one person drank coffee from a cup of this size every day, it would take 591 years and 8 months. For comparison: a mug from a Vegas casino would take 88 years and 1 month.

Subtleties of caring for Azerbaijani tea utensils

Teaware is not washed in the usual way, using household chemicals. Cups are usually cleaned with baking soda. This procedure is carried out after several tea parties, when a slight plaque is noticed on the walls. After the first or second use, simply pour boiling water over the cups, rinse and wipe dry with a towel.

An oriental tea set for two persons is suitable for a couple who likes to sit and chat over a mug of hot drink.

Important! The towel must be lint-free so as not to leave marks on the dishes.

Due to its unusual shape, armuda can be difficult to wash. Therefore, it is recommended to have a special curved brush for washing these cups. When serving tea, the mug must be doused with boiling water twice. This is done not only for hygienic purposes, but also to ensure that tea is not poured into a cold mug, otherwise it will cool down faster and may even change the taste.

It is not customary for people with eastern roots and collectors who love Turkic culture to buy armudas with a handle as a gift.

Famous manufacturers

The best producers of real armudu are Turkish and German companies that have established production in Turkey. Their products are famous for their high quality, and the manufacturers have a large number of international awards and good sales.

Turkish armuds are ideal for oriental tea drinking and will help surprise guests.