Turkey is one of the biggest tea-drinking countries in the world. Çay – black tea from the Black Sea region around Rize – goes with every breakfast, conversation and visit.
How to brew Turkish tea
- Bring water to the boil in the lower pot of the çaydanlık (double teapot).
- Put about one heaped teaspoon of loose black tea per person into the upper pot, e.g. Keyftime Export.
- Pour a little boiling water over the tea and let it steep on low heat for 10–15 minutes.
- Fill the tulip-shaped glass one third to half with the strong tea and top up with hot water.
Tea varieties in Turkish
| Turkish | English |
|---|---|
| Siyah çay | Black tea → Keyftime Export, Keyftime Filiz |
| Yeşil çay | Green tea |
| Matcha | Matcha → Matcha powder |
| Ihlamur | Linden blossom tea |
| Adaçayı | Sage tea |
| Kuşburnu | Rosehip tea |
| Elma çayı | Apple tea |
| Papatya | Chamomile tea |
Matcha
Whisk matcha powder with a little hot (not boiling) water until frothy, and drink it plain, as a latte or in smoothies. Try pure matcha powder or flavoured sachets like strawberry matcha. Browse our Coffee & Tea category.
FAQ
What is tea called in Turkish?
Çay; herbal tea is bitki çayı.
What is a çaydanlık?
A double teapot: water boils below, strong tea steeps above and is diluted in the glass.
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