Wedding traditions with tea and coffee

Tea and coffee are the drinks of welcome, and at some weddings they are the whole rite. A cup offered to a parent, or a cup served by a nervous bride, can say more than a speech. In China, Korea and Turkey these drinks have a formal role.

The Chinese tea ceremony

In Chinese weddings, especially Cantonese ones, the couple kneel or stand before elders and serve them tea, and the elders give red envelopes or gold jewellery in return. The tea is often sweetened with red dates and lotus seeds, for fertility. The order of serving shows the family tree. In Vietnam a similar rite is held at the bride's family altar, and in Taiwan, sweet tea is served.

Coffee, salt and sherbet

In Turkey the bride serves coffee to the groom's family during the visit to ask for her hand, and the coffee prepared for the groom may be salted to test his temper. In Ethiopia and Eritrea a coffee ceremony is held. In Morocco, mint tea welcomes guests, and in the Gulf, cardamom coffee is served from a dallah. In India, a sherbet or chai may be served to the groom's party.