Turkish Tea: Tradition, Flavor, and Culture
Turkey is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine, but one of its most notable, often underrated elements by travelers is Turkish tea, or “çay”. This drink is much more than just an infusion; it’s a symbol of hospitality, an essential part of daily life, and a reflection of Turkish traditions. In this blog, we’ll explore the history, rituals, and best places to enjoy Turkish tea during your visit to Turkey.
1. History of Turkish Tea
Although Turkey is famous for its coffee, especially the iconic Turkish coffee, tea has become the most consumed hot drink in the country. Surprisingly, tea cultivation in Turkey didn’t begin until the 20th century. It was in the 1920s when the Turkish government promoted tea cultivation in the Rize region, located on the Black Sea coast. This region, with its humid, subtropical climate, proved to be ideal for tea farming.
Since then, Turkish tea has become an integral part of daily life. Today, Turkey is one of the world’s leading tea producers, and tea consumption per capita is one of the highest globally. Over time, çay has surpassed coffee in popularity and has established itself as an essential drink for Turks, served anytime during social gatherings, at work, or simply at home.
2. The Turkish Tea Ceremony
Tea in Turkey is not just a beverage but also a symbol of hospitality. In almost every home, office, and café in Turkey, tea is offered as a gesture of welcome and kindness. Turks enjoy their tea in small, tulip-shaped glass cups known as “ince belli”, which allow the tea to stay hot while the rim cools enough to drink comfortably.
Turkish tea is prepared in a unique way, using a two-level teapot called a “çaydanlık”. A strong tea concentrate is brewed in the top pot, while water is heated in the bottom. Tea drinkers can customize the strength of their tea by mixing the concentrate with hot water in varying proportions, depending on whether they prefer a strong (“koyu“) or lighter (“açık“) tea. It’s typically served without milk, though it can be sweetened with sugar to taste.
3. Tea in Turkish Daily Life
Tea is an essential part of daily life in Turkey and is enjoyed in a variety of settings. Whether at breakfast, during a work break, or at a family gathering, tea is always present. Even in bazaars and markets, vendors often offer tea to customers as a gesture of goodwill.
- Breakfast: In Turkey, breakfast is an important meal, and tea is an essential accompaniment. It’s often served alongside a selection of cheeses, olives, bread, jams, and sometimes hot dishes like menemen (scrambled eggs with tomatoes and peppers).
- Social gatherings: Turks have a rich tradition of meeting with friends and family, and tea plays a significant role in these interactions. A glass of tea is always on the table, and conversations often continue over multiple rounds of tea.
- Work: Tea is also a staple in the workplace. Many offices have a designated person to prepare tea for the team, ensuring employees have a hot cup available throughout the day.
Turkish tea is also an important part of celebrations and festivities. Whether it’s a big event or a small gathering, tea is always served as a shared drink.
4. Tea-Producing Regions in Turkey
Most tea in Turkey is grown in the Rize region on the Black Sea coast. This location, with its humid climate and fertile soil, is ideal for tea cultivation. Tea plantations cover lush green hills that descend toward the sea, creating stunning landscapes that travelers can visit.
The tea grown in Rize is known for its strong flavor and dark red color, highly appreciated by locals. The fact that all Turkish tea is cultivated domestically ensures it is fresh and high quality. Visitors to Rize can enjoy tours in the tea plantations, where they can learn about the growing and production process and even participate in leaf-picking during the harvest season.
5. Types of Tea in Turkey
Although black tea (çay) is the most common in Turkey, other varieties are also worth trying during your visit:
- Apple tea (elma çayı): A sweet and refreshing infusion made from dried apples, served hot or cold. It’s popular among tourists, though Turks generally prefer black tea.
- Rosehip tea (kuşburnu çayı): A fruit tea with a slightly tangy taste made from rosehip berries. It’s rich in vitamin C and is often consumed for its health benefits.
- Sage tea (ada çayı): A popular infusion in Turkey’s coastal regions. Its taste is slightly bitter and known for its digestive properties.
While black tea remains the most consumed tea in Turkey, these varieties offer an interesting option for those looking to try something different during their stay.
6. Where to Enjoy the Best Turkish Tea in Istanbul
Istanbul, a vibrant and diverse city, is filled with places to enjoy authentic Turkish tea. Below are some of the best spots to savor this traditional drink:
a) Pierre Loti Café
Located atop a hill in the Eyüp district, Pierre Loti Café offers spectacular panoramic views of the Golden Horn. This spot is popular among both tourists and locals who come here to relax and enjoy a cup of tea while admiring the city’s impressive views.
b) Bosphorus Café
Any spot along the Bosphorus is ideal for enjoying a cup of Turkish tea with an unbeatable view. Some trendy cafes offer open-air terraces where you can sit, drink tea, and watch the maritime traffic in the strait that divides Europe and Asia.
c) Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest markets in the world and an excellent place to enjoy a glass of tea after a day of shopping. Many merchants invite buyers for tea while they negotiate or simply chat.
7. Turkish Tea and Hospitality
One of the reasons tea is so important in Turkish culture is its connection to hospitality. Offering tea is a gesture of courtesy and a way to welcome guests, whether at home or work. This gesture goes beyond everyday life and becomes an essential part of social interactions.
As a visitor in Turkey, you’ll likely be invited to tea several times a day, and accepting this offer is a way to integrate into the local culture. Declining a tea invitation may be considered impolite, so feel free to enjoy a hot cup and take the opportunity to connect with Turkish hosts.
8. How to Prepare Turkish Tea at Home
If you fall in love with Turkish tea during your trip and wish to recreate the experience at home, it’s relatively simple. All you need is a two-level teapot (çaydanlık) and good-quality black tea.
Instructions:
- Fill the lower pot with water and bring it to a boil.
- In the upper pot, place several tablespoons of black tea (about one tablespoon per cup) and pour a little boiling water over the leaves to rinse them.
- Place the upper pot on the lower one and let the steam warm the tea leaves for a few minutes.
- Serve the tea in small tulip-shaped glasses, pouring the concentrate from the top pot first, then adding hot water from the lower pot to taste.
Conclusion
Turkish tea is more than just a drink: it’s a cultural experience that brings people together and reflects Turkey’s rich tradition of hospitality. During your visit, be sure to enjoy a cup of tea in some of Istanbul’s most iconic spots and other parts of the country, and don’t hesitate to accept any invitation to share a cup.
The Turkish tea is more than just a drink; it’s an essential part of culture and daily life in Turkey. With a history dating back to the 20th century, Turkish black tea, especially cultivated in the Rize region, has become the country’s most popular beverage. Served in small tulip-shaped glasses, Turkish tea is enjoyed on any occasion, from breakfast to family or social gatherings.
