Turkish tea is an integral part of Turkey and Turkish culture. It also has an undeniable importance in the world tea culture. Turkish tea is an indispensable part of Turkey’s and the world’s tea culture. Pour your tea and let’s go down to the origins of this drink that warms us with its warmth. Don’t worry, if you don’t know how to make it, we will explain how to make it correctly in our content.
The Origin of Turkish Tea
Although it is said that Turkish tea came to the Ottoman Empire towards the end of the 19th century, we find in history books that Ahmet Yesevi, who lived in the 12th century, drank tea. However, Hacı Mehmed İzzet Efendi’s book Tea Risalesi was published in Istanbul in 1879.
Where did tea come to the Turks?
The oldest archival document on tea cultivation in the Ottoman Empire states that the seeds were brought from Japan.
Importance of Turkish Tea in Turkey
If we say that tea is like an organ for Turks, we are not exaggerating :). Tea is drunk at almost every opportunity you can think of. In the morning at breakfast, after breakfast, while working, when we take a break from work, after meals, in the evening, etc. There is no time for tea, you understand, tea is drunk at every opportunity.
Turkish Tea Harvest
In Turkey, tea is largely grown in the Eastern Black Sea region. That is, in cities like Rize and Trabzon. It is collected under harsh conditions and harvested in spring & summer. You can watch a sample tea harvest in the video below.
Turkish Tea Types
In fact, it is difficult to write the types of Turkish tea here because there are so many varieties. For example; black tea, green tea, rosehip tea, linden tea etc. However, since our content is mostly about black tea, we will talk about the types of black tea.
Black Tea Types
The varieties of black tea in Turkey are usually named after the region where they are grown. For example; Rize Tea, Trabzon Tea. They all have some flavor differences of their own. Although we tell you about them as an article, it is difficult to decide which one you prefer without drinking them. However, Ahwak Travel’s recommendation is Rize Tea. In fact, if the place where you buy it allows you to choose the variety, we recommend you to buy Rize / Ardeşen Tea.
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How to Brew Turkish Tea?
We have come to the most important point of our subject. Although the Turks have some disagreements on this subject, we will try to tell you the most correct brewing method based on our own experience.
Ingredients
- Teapot
- Tea
- Water
- Slim Waisted Tea Cup
Method
- We need a 2-tier teapot, as you can see on the left of the screen. Add as much water as you can to the bottom of this teapot and light it.
- While our water is boiling, we will add tea to the top of our teapot. We should put 1 tablespoon of tea for an average of 2 thin glasses of tea.
- Brewing stage. We have 2 options at this stage.
- After the tea water boils, add the water on top of the tea we put on top. The water we add should cover the tea completely.
- Add warm water to that area before adding the tea to the top. Add the tea on top of the warm water. (The purpose of brewing in this way: when we add boiling water directly to the tea, it is said that the tea burns. For this reason, it is recommended to place the tea on top of the water. Although not everyone agrees, this brewing method has also been used very often recently).
- After brewing, you will have less water at the bottom. Fill the bottom with water again and leave it to brew for 10-15 minutes.
- Your tea is ready. Fill the tea on the top about a quarter of a thin waist tea glass. Add the hot water at the bottom.
- You can serve with optional sugar cubes or powdered sugar and cookies.
By the way, Turkish tea is drunk in what we call a thin belli glass.
Interesting Facts About Turkish Tea
Sociability
Turks do not only see tea drinking as a beverage. They also consume tea for meeting, meeting and social interaction. To meet someone, they simply say “let me buy you a cup of tea” or “shall we have tea?”.
World Record
In 2010, Turkey ranked first and broke the world record by consuming 3.5kg of tea per person per year. Here you can understand the Turks’ love for tea.
Lastly
In this content, we have conveyed all the information you need to know about Turkish tea in its simplest form. You can share your curiosities or thoughts as a comment below. Bon appetit.
