On International Tea Day, attention has turned to Azerbaijan and its centuries-old tea ritual, where every sip is paired not with sugar cubes or pastries, but with spoonfuls of delicately prepared jam.

In a feature, journalist Nadira Tudor explored how tea in Azerbaijan is far more than a drink - it is a daily ritual woven into conversations, hospitality, celebrations, mourning, and family gatherings, The Caspian Post reports via Euronews.

Tea is traditionally served in the iconic pear-shaped armudu glass, designed to keep the drink hot longer while remaining comfortable to hold. The shape allows the tea to stay warm at the base while cooling slightly at the rim, making it perfect for slow sipping.

But the true centerpiece of the Azerbaijani tea experience is the jam.

Served separately in small crystal bowls, the preserves are carefully handcrafted to keep fruits and berries whole and visually striking. Strawberries, pears, apricots, walnuts, and even olives are transformed into jewel-like delicacies through a slow cooking process that can take days.

Unlike in many cultures, the jam is never stirred into the tea or spread on bread. Instead, a small spoonful is tasted first, followed by a sip of hot black tea - creating a carefully balanced contrast between sweetness and bitterness.

At the family-run restaurant “Kurban Said,” owner Sabina Ulukhanova says jam-making remains a labor-intensive tradition passed through generations.

She noted that recipes rely more on experience than measurements, while some varieties - especially walnut and olive jam - require several days of preparation to achieve the right texture and flavor.

Tea with jam remains a symbol of comfort and togetherness in Azerbaijan, whether shared after a long day, during business talks, at weddings, or while gathering with friends and family in teahouses.

While tea traditions across the region often include sweets, Azerbaijan’s ritual stands apart for its precise order and unhurried rhythm: first the sweetness, then the tea.

For many Azerbaijanis, that simple pairing represents far more than taste - it is a calming tradition and an essential part of the country’s cultural identity.