Turks love tea, and sipping ‘cay’ is an integral part of Turkish culture. This well-loved beverage is enjoyed across the country from sunrise to sunset. In fact, tea is so well-loved that the Turkish tea capital of Rize on the Black Sea coast has even built a giant seven-floor glass building in its honour, and it may even get in Guinness Book of World Records as the largest tea glass next year.

Turkish tea culture

Tea is a popular drink in many countries, and Türkiye is no exception. It’s a go-to beverage that spans all ages and social classes, enjoyed by almost everyone at any time and at every occasion. Some assume that apple tea is the favoured variety in Türkiye, but that’s more of a tourist drink. Locals prefer ‘siyah cay’ or black tea, served without milk in small tulip-shaped glasses from a double teapot called a “çaydanlık”, that bubbles away in the background, ready for the inevitable top-ups.

A brief history of Turkish tea

The origins of tea drinking are hazy, but historians traced the first mentions of tea back to China in the 10^th century. It wasn’t until the 16^th century that Europeans discovered the beverage. Portuguese traders started importing tea to the royal courts, and aristocrats came to believe drinking tea may be why the Chinese and Asians lived longer. Word spread quickly from then on, and tea became so chic in Great Britain during the 17^th century that many preferred tea to alcohol, prompting English tea culture to begin.

Surprisingly, tea drinking in Türkiye only really took hold in the 1900s. The Turkish province of Bursa was chosen as the first region to grow tea in the late 1800s, but efforts failed as the land was unsuitable. Parliament waited until 1924 to promote the growth of tea again and this time deemed the eastern Black Sea region as the ideal location, a decision that proved highly successful. Millions of seeds were shipped from Georgia and planted from the 1930s onwards, and Türkiye’s tea culture really took hold. Today, vast hectares of fertile land along the Black Sea coast are used to cultivate tea. Throughout the nation, tea is now celebrated, and it is has become the second most popular drink in Türkiye, after water.

Health benefits of Turkish tea

Tea is a fabulous drink with many health benefits. It’s not only super-hydrating and packed full of antioxidants, but it also reduces bad cholesterol, improves heart health and can help lower cortisol levels, a hormone responsible for creating stress.

Herbal tea in Türkiye

Although black tea is the most popular Turkish tea variety, many wonderful herbal teas are also served in restaurants and tea houses throughout Türkiye. Sage, chamomile, rosehip and linden are extremely popular and known for their health and healing benefits.

Sage or linden tea served with lemon is said to soothe a sore throat, chamomile calms anxiety and promotes sleep, and rosehip tea boosts the immune system helping ease cold and flu symptoms, so a great choice during the cold winter months.

The Turkish tea capital of Rize

The mild climate and lush green mountains of Rize on the Black Sea coast is known as Türkiye’s tea capital, and many believe the best Turkish tea comes from the area. Rize is one of Türkiye’s smallest provinces, with the region now covered in tea plantations and packing and processing plants. Each year a Summer Tea Festival is held to celebrate the crop, and there are several tea gardens and plantations open to the public and worth a visit if you ever find yourself in the area.

Tea from Rize is available throughout Türkiye and abroad, and the most notable brand is Çaykur, the oldest company to produce tea in Türkiye. There are now many other great younger brands like Doğuş and Doğadan that are also very popular and don’t forget all the herbal teas and imported blends we can provide if you’re in need of provisions during your travels. To add Turkish tea to your provisions, please CONTACT US.