Turkish Tea Culture

Turkey has always been famous for its Turkish coffee and black tea. Tea is the favorite drink of Turkish people. It is impossible to imagine breakfasts, social gatherings, business meetings, and even carpet bargaining in the Grand Bazaar without a cup of tea being a companion. Tea is a social experience, a sign of hospitality and friendship in Turkey. Turks like to drink tea from sunrise to sunset or better to say any time of the day😊. The daily tea consumption of Turkish people even became higher than the Brits!

If a visitor comes to a Turkish home, tea is brewed. If a customer goes to any store to buy something, the store owner offers a cup of tea to help with the process. As soon as a tourist comes to Istanbul and checks into the hotel, tea is almost certainly offered. Tea is served with every meal during the day including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The tea maker or tea seller walking briskly with a tray full of tea glasses along a busy road is a familiar sight in Turkey. This fragrant drink is not traditionally drunk with milk or lemon, only sugar cubes can be served alongside the tea.

How to Brew Turkish Tea?

A teapot is required to make Turkish tea. A Turkish-style teapot consists of two containers placed on top of each other and the upper container is called ”Demlik” which is used for tea brewing. The water is boiled in the larger pot at the bottom and the tea is brewed in the small pot at the top called demlik or brewer. Using quality water is essential. Soft water should be used. Bottled drinking water is the safest choice to avoid limescale or chloride which is very common in Turkey’s water supply.

The amount of water is roughly measured, but tea is measured as one teaspoonful per person. When the water in the lower pot boils, the water is poured over the tea in the upper teapot and the fire is turned down. It takes at least 10-15 minutes for it to brew. The top part of the teapot plays an important role in the process. Using a porcelain teapot for brewing gives more tasteful results. The method of brewing tea with a double pot allows everyone to drink tea the way they want such as darker or lighter tea regarding how much water is added.

Daily Tea Rituals In Turkey

Tea is an integral part of daily life in Turkey, and there are many rituals and traditions surrounding its preparation and consumption.

One common daily tea ritual is the “çay saati,” or tea time, which usually takes place in the late afternoon. During çay saati, Turkish tea is served to guests as a sign of hospitality and friendship. The tea is usually prepared using a double teapot, with the water being boiled in one pot and the tea being brewed in the other. The tea is served in small, clear glasses, often with a cube of sugar.

Tea is also an important part of the Turkish diet, and it is often consumed with meals. After a meal, it is common for the host to offer tea to their guests as a way to mark the end of the meal.

In addition to these daily rituals, tea also plays a central role in many traditional ceremonies and celebrations in Turkey. For example, it is an important part of wedding ceremonies, and it is often served to the bride and groom as a symbol of good luck.

Overall, tea is an integral part of Turkish culture, and it is deeply ingrained in the daily lives of many people in the country.

Turkish Tea In UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List

Turkish tea culture, also known as “çay” culture, has a long and rich history dating back to the Ottoman Empire. The preparation and consumption of tea is an integral part of daily life in Turkey, and it is not uncommon for people to drink several cups of tea throughout the day.

In December 2013, Turkish tea culture was officially inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The inscription recognized the important role that tea plays in Turkish culture and the social and cultural significance of the tea ceremony.

According to UNESCO, the inscription of Turkish tea culture on the Representative List aims to raise awareness of the importance of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and to highlight the social, cultural and economic value of the tea ceremony. It also serves as a means of promoting intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding.

The acceptance of Turkish tea culture on the Intangible Cultural Heritage List is a significant honor, as it recognizes the cultural importance of tea in Turkey and the important role it plays in the country’s social and cultural life. It also serves as a reminder of the rich cultural diversity that exists within Turkey and the importance of preserving and promoting cultural traditions. Turkish tea culture is in UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List since the second of December 2022.

Turkish tea culture is an integral part of daily life in Turkey and is deeply rooted in the country’s history and culture. Its inclusion on the Intangible Cultural Heritage List serves as a testament to the enduring significance of tea in Turkish society and the important role it plays in bringing people together.

Differences Between Turkish and British Tea Cultures

Here are the main differences between British and Turkish tea cultures:

1. Preparation: Turkish tea is typically prepared using a double teapot, with the water being boiled in one pot and the tea being brewed in the other. The tea is served in small, clear glasses, often with a cube of sugar. In contrast, British tea is usually brewed in a single pot and served in a cup with milk added.
2. Types of tea: In Turkey, black tea is the most popular type of tea, and it is usually served strong and unsweetened. In Britain, a wider variety of teas are consumed, including black, green, and herbal teas, and they are often served with milk and sugar.
3. Occasions for tea: In Turkey, tea is an important part of daily life and is often served as a way to welcome guests or to mark the end of a meal. In Britain, tea is also a social occasion, but it is more commonly associated with afternoon tea, a light meal typically served in the mid-afternoon.
4. Tea culture: Tea culture is deeply ingrained in Turkish society, and tea is often seen as a symbol of hospitality and friendship. In Britain, tea is also an important part of the culture, but it is not as central to daily life as it is in Turkey.

Differences Between Turkish and Chinese Tea Cultures

There are a few main differences between Turkish and Chinese tea cultures:

1. Preparation: Turkish tea is typically prepared by boiling water and adding loose tea leaves or tea bags, while Chinese tea is often prepared using a more complex method that involves infusing the tea leaves in hot water.
2. Types of tea: Turkish tea is usually made with black tea, while Chinese tea comes in a wider variety of types, including green, black, oolong, white, and yellow.
3. Serving: Turkish tea is usually served in small, tulip-shaped glasses, while Chinese tea is often served in small cups or bowls.
4. Consumption: Tea plays a much more central role in daily life in Turkey, where it is common for people to drink several cups of tea throughout the day. In China, tea is also an important part of daily life, but it is typically consumed in smaller quantities and is more often enjoyed as a leisure activity.
5. Cultural significance: Tea has a long and rich history in both Turkey and China, and it plays an important cultural role in both countries. However, the cultural significance of tea differs somewhat between the two countries. In Turkey, tea is seen as a symbol of hospitality and is often served to guests as a sign of welcome. In China, tea is considered a symbol of respect and is often given as a gift to honor someone.

Overall, while Turkish and Chinese tea cultures have some similarities, they also have their own distinct characteristics and cultural significance.

Differences Between Turkish and Indian Tea Cultures

Here are a few main differences between Turkish and Indian tea cultures:

1. Preparation: Turkish tea is typically prepared by boiling water and adding loose tea leaves or tea bags, while Indian tea is usually made by boiling water and adding a mixture of tea leaves, milk, and sugar.
2. Types of tea: Turkish tea is usually made with black tea, while Indian tea can be made with various types of tea, including black, green, and oolong.
3. Serving: Turkish tea is usually served in small, tulip-shaped glasses, while Indian tea is often served in small cups or glasses.
4. Consumption: Tea plays a central role in daily life in both Turkey and India, and it is common for people in both countries to drink several cups of tea throughout the day. However, the way tea is consumed can differ somewhat between the two countries. In Turkey, tea is often consumed on its own, while in India, tea is often accompanied by snacks or small meals.
5. Cultural significance: Tea has a long and rich history in both Turkey and India, and it plays an important cultural role in both countries. However, the cultural significance of tea differs somewhat between the two countries. In Turkey, tea is seen as a symbol of hospitality and is often served to guests as a sign of welcome. In India, tea is an important part of daily life and is often consumed as a social activity, with people gathering to drink tea and chat.

Overall, while Turkish and Indian tea cultures have some similarities, they also have their own distinct characteristics and cultural significance.

Let’s Have A Glass Of Tea Together

I love to have a cup of tea as any other Turkish person around! I hope we will have the chance to enjoy a cup of tea together during your trip in Turkey! See you soon, Hasan Gülday.