While many believe coffee is the signature drink in Turkey, it’s actually tea that the locals enjoy sipping by the gallon. From the break of dawn when it's time to rise and shine, all the way through to the end of the day, it’s unlikely that you’ll find a moment where the offer of cay is turned down in Turkey.
Sitting down to enjoy a hot, soothing cup of tea is all part of socializing in Turkey, but there’s much more to the tradition than making conversation. Find out everything you need to know about the Turkish tea culture and what to expect when you try the tea out for yourself.
1. The traditional Turkish tea is called cay
Pronounced as “chai", cay is a black tea which is traditionally served in a small tulip-shaped glass-a design that comes from the days of the Ottoman Empire. The Turkish locals don’t drink tea like the British do-they skip the milk or lemon and instead, stir a sugar cube on two into the liquid before drinking.
Bonus fact: Some of the locals choose to pop the sugar cube under their tongue and drink as much tea as is needed to dissolve the cube.
2. Turkish tea became popular in the 20th century
The Turks originally enjoyed coffee much more than tea. When it became increasingly expensive in the 20th century Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the President at the time, encouraged the locals to opt for tea instead. Over the years, black Turkish tea has become the most popular drink available in the country.
3. Tea used to come to Turkey from China
Before the Turks came across the perfect local climate for growing tea and began to invest in Turkey's tea regions. the plant was originally imported from China. The Chinese word for tea is cha, which is where the Turkish tea name cay derives from. Since beginning to grow their own tea, Turkey has now become one of the largest tea growers in the world, number five, in fact, producing more than 6 percent of the world's tea.
4. Turks are tea guzzlers
Turks consume a whopping 3 kilos of tea each year, making Turkey the top consumer of tea around the world, followed by Morocco(2kg) and the UK(1.7kg).
5. Most Turkish tea is produced in Rlze
This northeast coastal region has the best weather climate. temperature and soil needed for growing quality tea leaves needed to supply the popular Turkish tea throughout the country. Once ready, the leaves are picked and delivered to factories for drying, crushing, and packaging, ready for serving up in tea houses, gardens shops, and homes throughout Turkey.
Bonus fact: The most popular tea in Turkey, home to hundreds of brands, is Caykur which produces over 6500 tonnes of tea every single day.
6. Shop owners are likely to offer tea to their customers
When you're browsing the various items on offer in a shop, don’t be surprised if the shopkeeper offers you a glass of tea whilst you peruse. It's their way of welcoming you to take your time and look at what’s on offer without feeling obligated to buy something.
7. There are many public spaces dedicated to tea
From tea houses called “Cay Eviler" to tea gardens known as “Cay Bahcesi", you’ll come across plenty of public places with the sole purpose of selling Turkish tea and offering a place to socialize as you drink. Families and friends meet in the tea gardens to enjoy some quality time together, but you’ll rarely see a woman or child in the tea houses-they act as a gentlemen’s club for groups of men to play board games and catch up.
8. Refusing tea in Turkey is taken as an insult
Due to the social aspect that comes with drinking tea in Turkey, it’s often considered rude to turn down a glass of tea that's offered to you. lf you absolutely have to or cannot accept some tea, you should ask for water instead as opposed to nothing at all.
