Tea Day

Warmth in a cup: a passion for tea in Salzburg

Tea seller Desiree Czak recommends the Advent blend for the wait for baby Jesus.(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

Today, December 15, is International Tea Day. The most popular hot drink in Salzburg may be coffee, but during Advent they particularly like to snuggle up with a cup of tea. Traders Desiree Czak and Vanja Thaler are all about the hot drink all year round - whether in the tea store or at the Christmas market.

Desiree Czak sells Christmas cookies, jams and teapots at Salzburg's Christmas market. And most importantly: tea! She has brought almost 50 varieties with her from Abersee. Her brother has a tea shop there and the pensioner helps out diligently. "Just sitting at home and drinking tea is out of the question for me!" laughs Desiree.

And even though Mr. and Mrs. Austrian reach for a cup of coffee more often, she swears by the second most popular hot drink: "Tea has many more nuances of taste. Coffee always tastes the same. With or without milk, but always the same!"

Whether black, green, with fruit or herbs - tea is the second most popular drink in the world after water.(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

In Austria, herbal and fruit teas are particularly popular.(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

The stand operator prefers to drink white elderberry tea and celebrates it properly: "You have to wait until it has steeped to enjoy it. You have to sit down and take it easy. The pause makes it special."

Many visitors to the Salzburg Christmas market also appreciate this about the hot drink. "My favorite varieties are fennel, aniseed and caraway tea. They are simply part of the perfect TV evening," Alina Meindl tells the Krone. 

My favorite varieties are fennel, aniseed and caraway tea. They are simply part of the perfect TV evening.

Alina Meindl

Bild: Andreas Tröster

I already look forward to my good herbal tea in the morning.

Franz Rauchenschwandner

Bild: Andreas Tröster

I don't like coffee, so tea is my savior! I hate leaving the house without a cup of herbal tea.

Valentina Hartl

Bild: Andreas Tröster

In the evening, I sit on the couch, stroke my dog and drink a cup of fruit tea - preferably with a shot of Amaretto.

Georg Bogenrieder

Bild: Andreas Tröster

Vanja Thaler, who has been running a tea shop in Salzburg's old town for almost 30 years, also has a special relationship with tea: "Tea is such a great natural product and I love to slow down, especially at Christmas time. My customers have no stress."

Almost 50 types of tea from Abersee can be viewed at Residenzplatz(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

Many of them have developed a preference for green tea. Matcha latte, Chinese green tea and mate tea are particularly popular with young people. "I understand that! Green tea has health benefits, works quickly and keeps you pleasantly awake for 6 to 8 hours," concludes the tea merchant. An ideal alternative to coffee.