History of tea in Turkey:
It is believed that tea was first carried westwards from China, by the Turkish Traders in the 5th Century. However, records show that tea was an important import in the late 19th century and British East India Company played an important role.
Tea cultivation in Turkey began in the early 20th century, during the final years of the Ottoman Empire and the early years of the Republic of Turkey. In 1917, the Ministry of Agriculture investigated the eastern Black Sea region for the potential of tea cultivation. They discovered that the climate and soil conditions in the region, particularly in the Rize province, were ideal for growing tea.
The first tea plantations in Turkey were established in the 1920s, with the support of the Turkish government. In 1924, the government imported tea seeds from Georgia and distributed them to farmers in the Rize province. The first tea harvest took place in 1937, and the first tea processing factory was established in Rize in 1940.
Tea cultivation and production in Turkey expanded rapidly during the 20th century. By the 1960s, Turkey had become one of the world’s largest tea producers, and tea had become an important part of Turkish culture and daily life. Today, Turkey is the fifth-largest tea producer in the world, and tea is an essential element of Turkish hospitality and social gatherings.
Culture and traditions around tea in Turkey:
Tea drinking was initially encouraged as an alternative to coffee in Turkey as coffee became very expensive after the world war 1. At the end of the war Turkey lost Yemen, the coffee producing region of the Ottoman Empire and now coffee became an expensive import commodity.
With time tea drinking evolved into an integral part of Turkish culture and daily life. Here are some examples of ways in which tea drinking has evolved culturally in Turkey:
- Social gatherings:
Tea is an essential element of Turkish hospitality and social gatherings. It is often served to guests as a sign of welcome and hospitality. Tea is also a common beverage served during business meetings and negotiations. - Tea houses:
Tea houses, or “çay bahçesi” in Turkish, are popular gathering places for people of all ages. They are often located in parks or other public spaces and offer a relaxed atmosphere for socialising and enjoying tea. - Tea rituals:
Tea drinking in Turkey has its own unique rituals and customs. For example, tea is traditionally served in small, tulip-shaped glasses, and it is customary to pour the tea from a teapot held high above the glass to create a frothy head. Sugar is often added to the tea, and it is common to serve a small snack, such as a piece of Turkish delight or a biscuit, alongside the tea. - Regional variations:
Tea drinking in Turkey varies by region. In the eastern Black Sea region, where tea is grown, tea is often consumed in large quantities and is a staple of daily life. In other regions, such as Istanbul, tea is more commonly consumed in tea houses and cafes.
Overall, tea drinking has become an important cultural practice in Turkey, reflecting the country’s hospitality, social customs, and regional traditions. Turkey is the number one in per capita tea consumption in the world. As per 2016 data, tea consumption in Turkey is over 3.5 times than coffee in Turkey.
Turkish Tea:
Turkish tea, also known as ‘çay’, is a black tea that is brewed in a special double teapot called a ‘çaydanlık’. Here is a detailed recipe for making Turkish tea:
Ingredients for Turkish tea:
- 1 tablespoon loose black tea leaves (or 2-3 tea bags)
- 2 cups of water
- Sugar (optional)
Recipe for Turkish tea:
- Fill the bottom half of the çaydanlık with water and place it on the stove to boil.
- Once the water comes to a boil, remove the pot from the heat and add the loose tea leaves or tea bags to the top half of the çaydanlık.
- Fill the top half of the çaydanlık with hot water, making sure that the water level is just below the spout.
- Place the çaydanlık back on the stove and bring the water to a boil again.
- Once the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and let the tea steep for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the çaydanlık from the heat and pour the tea into small, tulip-shaped glasses. The tea should be poured from a height to create a frothy head.
- If desired, add sugar to taste.
- Serve the tea with a small snack, such as a piece of Turkish delight or a biscuit.
Note: Turkish tea is traditionally served without milk. The strength of the tea can be adjusted by adding more or less tea leaves or by steeping the tea for a shorter or longer period of time.
Traditional utensils used to prepare and serve Turkish tea:
Turkish tea, also known as çay, is traditionally brewed and served using special utensils that are unique to Turkish culture. Here are some details about the special utensils used in Turkish tea making and drinking:
- Çaydanlık (Turkish teapot):
The çaydanlık is a special double teapot that is used to brew Turkish tea. The bottom half of the pot is filled with water and placed on the stove to boil, while the top half is filled with loose tea leaves or tea bags and hot water. The two halves are then combined to create a concentrated tea that is poured into small glasses. - Demlik:
The demlik is a small teapot that is used to serve Turkish tea. It is typically made of metal or porcelain and has a long, curved spout that is used to pour the tea into glasses. - Fincan:
The fincan is a small, tulip-shaped glass that is used to serve Turkish tea. The glass is typically made of clear glass or colored glass and is designed to show off the frothy head that is created when the tea is poured from a height. - Tabak:
The tabak is a small plate or saucer that is used to hold the fincan. It is typically made of ceramic or porcelain and is often decorated with traditional Turkish designs. - Şekerlik:
The şekerlik is a small sugar bowl that is used to hold sugar cubes or loose sugar. It is typically made of glass or metal and is often decorated with traditional Turkish designs. - Çay kaşığı:
The çay kaşığı is a small teaspoon that is used to stir sugar into the tea. It is typically made of metal or plastic and is often decorated with traditional Turkish designs.
These special utensils used in Turkish tea making and drinking reflect the importance of tea in Turkish culture and the attention to detail that is given to the preparation and presentation of the tea.
