Russian-Style Black Tea

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Brighton Beach (Little Odessa)

📍 Where this dish comes from: Brooklyn, New York City · Brighton Beach (Little Odessa)
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Russian-Style Black Tea, plated and ready to serve

This is tea made simply and strong, closer to how it’s served in Eastern European and Russian households than the milder version more common in American kitchens.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients for Russian-Style Black Tea

Russian-Style Black Tea

Strong black tea brewed the way it's still served in Brighton Beach's Russian tea rooms, with a slice of lemon.
Print Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: Jewish
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 5kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 cups water
  • 4 tsp loose black tea or 4 tea bags
  • 4 lemon slices
  • Granulated sugar substitute, to taste (optional)

Instructions

  • Bring water to a rolling boil.
  • Pour over loose tea or tea bags in a teapot or heatproof pitcher.
  • Steep 4–5 minutes for a strong, dark cup.
  • Strain if using loose tea, and pour into glasses or cups.
  • Serve with a slice of lemon and sugar substitute on the side, if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 5kcal
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Cooking Russian-Style Black Tea in the kitchen

Health Benefits

  • Black tea contains antioxidants known as flavonoids.
  • Naturally calorie-free without the added sugar substitute.
  • A genuinely simple, no-effort beverage that fits into any meal in a kosher kitchen.
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