World News for Students of English

28-10-2025 15:00

Some Russians are turning away from coffee, which they see as a Western import, and returning to their traditional love of tea.

Andrei Kolbasinov, founder of the Nitka teahouse chain, wants to bring back the country’s old tea culture that disappeared after the 1917 Revolution. His teahouses recreate the atmosphere of pre-revolutionary Moscow, when tea houses were popular gathering places. Today, his growing business reflects a wider cultural shift as Russia becomes more inward-looking and embraces national traditions instead of Western trends.

While tea remains a staple drink in most Russian homes, the recent political tensions with the West have made it a symbol of cultural identity. Despite import challenges caused by sanctions, Nitka sources tea from allies such as China and Georgia. The revival of tea culture mirrors Russia’s search for self-sufficiency and nostalgia for its past.

Difficult words: embrace (to accept or welcome something new or different), staple (something that is used or needed very often), nostalgia (a warm, sad feeling when remembering the past).

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