Chifir

The etymology is uncertain but is thought to come from the word {{Transliteration|ru|chikhir'}} ({{Lang|ru|чихирь}}) meaning a strong Caucasian wine, or a Siberian word for wine that has gone off and become sour and acidic.[http://www.kuking.net/18_1819.htm Чифирь] {{in lang|ru}}

{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2021}}

Chifir is typically prepared with 5–8 tablespoons (50–100 ml) of loose tea (or tea bags) per person poured on top of the boiled water. {{Cn|date=October 2013}} It is brewed without stirring – at least until the leaves drop to the bottom of the cup.{{Cn|date=October 2013}} During the brewing process, the leaves start to release adenine and guanine into the water, which does not happen during traditional tea-making.{{citation needed|date=August 2018}} Sugar is sometimes added; the nature of the brew tends to result in a bitter flavor.[http://www.tyurem.net/mytext/how/023.htm Чай, чифирь, купец] {{in lang|ru}}

It is to be carefully sipped, otherwise it may cause vomiting.{{cn|date=October 2014}} Ultimately, making chifir involves brewing a great deal of black tea and for a long time. It may be left to brew overnight and drunk either hot or cold.

• Irina Ratushinskaya describes the brewing of narcotically strong chifir as a banned activity sometimes undertaken by prisoners, in her memoir of her years as a political prisoner, Grey Is The Colour Of Hope.
• In the Gabriele Salvatores-directed film Deadly Code, the character played by John Malkovich prepares and describes chifir to the young Kolyma.

• Sa'idi tea, a somewhat similar beverage (essentially a weaker grade, but consumed in larger quantities) drunk in Upper Egypt and among Sa'idi people elsewhere
• Zavarka, concentrated tea used in brewing tea from a Samovar

Category:Tea varieties

Category:Russian tea

Category:Prison drinks

{{teas}}