Why is Tea So Important for Turkish People

From the start of the day to the last hours before sleep, it is common for Turkish people to consume tea throughout the day in their life. It is not possible to think of any breakfast table to not have tea, as each household has a firm connection with it. Not only in breakfasts, but while working, chatting, enjoying a view, relaxing, and much more, Turkish people always have their small tulip-shaped glasses, drinking high-quality black tea of the Black Sea region. Tea has an essential place in the Turkish culture and language as well. Every street and square is filled with cafes that solely focus on the serving the best tea. Every household has its own traditional “demlik” or “çaydanlık,” which is essentially a kettle where tea is made. Turks have a special way of tea preparation. Typical daily consumed kind of tea by the Turkish people is black tea, primarily grown in cities such as Rize, Trabzon, Ordu, and Giresun.

Cities of the Black Sea region are singlehandedly the worldwide producer of black tea, contributing the highest production amounts. As tea is one of the biggest exports of Turkey, Turkey has the highest per capita tea consumption in the whole world, even greater than the United Kingdom. With high prosperity and wealth, black tea production and usage in Turkey shows incredible numbers each year.

Preparation of Turkish Tea

There is a special aspect of the way how Turkish tea is prepared. The main characteristic and aroma that Turkish tea possesses essentially come from its way of preparation. There is a unique brewing process using two stacked-over kettles called çaydanlık. First, water is brought to a boil in the larger lower part of çaydanlık, then several spoons of black tea are added into the small kettle. A portion of boiled water is added into the small çaydanlık infused and brewed for a while. This strong-flavoured tea is then served in traditional Turkish tea glasses, with the consistency of the drinker’s choice. Boiled water and brewed tea inside demlik part of the kettle are combined while pouring it into the glass. Some like their tea darker, they put more tea from the demlik part, but some put more boiled water as they like it light.

Turkish Tea and Its History

While tea has a history of more than 5000 years, its strong bond with Turkey is relatively a young one. Turkey’s most commonly consumed hot drink today, tea started to gain its popularity in Turkish culture starting from the 19^th century. Initially regarded as an alternative to Turkish coffee after its increased price after World War I, tea quickly replaced Turkish coffee. As Turkish people were able to produce and export tea on themselves domestically, tea was very sustainable. After the establishment of the Turkish Republic, Turkish people started to use tea commonly. Ever since, tea becomes the most popular drink of Turkish folk.

Turkish People and Tea Drinking

There are various aspects of tea drinking. Aside from breakfasts, meals, and after dinners, whenever a person has a problem to deal with, their friends and families unite under one roof, discussing their problems while drinking black tea. Every visitor is greeted with a glass of tea, and every chat is prinked up with much more glasses of it. Long story short, each moment of Turkish people is filled with tea. Whether you enjoy a beautiful view over the Bosporus or wait for someone, tea will always be your company.