Why the host pours only a little, and other customs of serving tea to guests.
In an Uzbek home, tea is the first thing offered to a guest. Serving it follows a few simple customs.
After brewing, the host usually pours a bowl and returns it to the teapot two or three times so the tea brews evenly. In Uzbek this is called qaytarish.
The piyola is never filled to the brim: the tea stays hot and the host can offer more. A full bowl can even hint that it is time for the guest to leave.
The bowl is passed with the right hand, often with the left hand on the chest as a sign of respect.
