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Nutrition and daily life

Black tea: the tradition of the armudu glass

Lankaran tea, the samovar and the pear-shaped armudu glass: black tea is Azerbaijan’s most familiar drink. This section explains what black tea is and how to drink it during treatment.

Last updated: ~1 min read
Black tea, the drink of the Azerbaijani table
Figure 1.Black tea, the drink of the Azerbaijani table.

01Short answer

Black tea is the fully oxidised leaves of the tea bush, with roughly 40–70 mg of caffeine per glass. A few glasses a day are generally safe for most adults. Brew it fresh with boiling water and drink it hot; avoid cold tea left overnight. Drink tea about an hour after meals, because it can reduce iron absorption. Black tea is not a treatment.

02Simple explanation

Black tea is a fully oxidised leaf.

A glass has moderate caffeine.

Fresh brew, not yesterday’s.

An hour after meals.

03Scientific explanation

Theaflavins and tannins give black tea its colour and astringency; tannins can reduce absorption of plant iron.

NCI: it has not been shown in people that tea prevents or treats cancer.

MedlinePlus: about 400 mg of caffeine a day is generally considered safe for adults; during treatment watch your sleep and heart rate.

04What happens in the body?

Azerbaijani tradition

Lankaran and Astara teas are drunk with lemon, thyme or jam.

Dark twisted black tea leaves in a ceramic bowl.
Figure 2.Fully oxidised dark leaves.

With lemon

Wash and slice the lemon; during neutropenia choose a well-washed lemon.

Black tea with a lemon slice steaming in a glass.
Figure 3.Hot tea with lemon — Black tea: the tradition of the armudu glass

Safe brewing

Freshly boiled water, a clean teapot and a fresh brew. During neutropenia avoid cold tea that has stood for hours.

Iron and medicines

Drink tea about an hour after meals; do not take extract capsules without your doctor.

05Brewing: four steps

Sealed pack, fresh brew, right temperature, drink hot.

Sealed pack — Dry place.1Sealed packDry place.
Fresh brew — Not old cold tea.2Fresh brewNot old cold tea.
Right water — Boiled.3Right waterBoiled.
Drink soon — Do not keep.4Drink soonDo not keep.
FlavourTradition.
FluidsA warm drink.
SafetyBoiled water.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
Azerbaijani traditionLankaran and Astara teas are drunk with lemon, thyme or jam.
With lemonWash and slice the lemon; during neutropenia choose a well-washed lemon.
Safe brewingFreshly boiled water, a clean teapot and a fresh brew. During neutropenia avoid cold tea that has stood for hours.
Iron and medicinesDrink tea about an hour after meals; do not take extract capsules without your doctor.

07Key terms

Theaflavins
Polyphenols that colour black tea.
Tannins
Compounds that give astringency.
Caffeine
A stimulant.
Polyphenols
Antioxidant plant compounds.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils.

08Key points

  • Black tea is a familiar drink.
  • Brew it fresh.
  • Pause after meals.
  • Brew with boiled water.
  • Capsules only with your doctor.

09Frequently asked questions

Is strong tea harmful?

Very strong tea is high in caffeine and tannins; a moderate brew is better.

Can I have tea with milk?

Yes, with pasteurised milk.

Does this tea treat leukemia?

No. Tea is a pleasant drink, not a treatment.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Is strong tea harmful?

  2. Can I have tea with milk?

  3. Does this tea treat leukemia?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Green Tea
  2. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — About Herbs. Green Tea
  3. MedlinePlus. Caffeine
  4. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Diet Guidelines for Immunosuppressed Patients
  5. National Cancer Institute. Diet and Cancer Risk
  6. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Carbohydrates
  7. NHS. Starchy foods and carbohydrates
  8. World Health Organization (WHO). Carbohydrate intake for adults and children: WHO guideline (2023)
  9. World Health Organization (WHO). Guideline: Sugars intake for adults and children (2015)
  10. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health — The Nutrition Source. Whole Grains
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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