A cup of tea is like a symbol, representing the hospitality of the Turkish people. It is a simple, unpretentious, and authentic experience. They drink tea to meet friends and strengthen friendships. Therefore, it is often said that tea is the soul of the Turkish people.
Turkish black tea is made from tea leaves grown on the eastern Black Sea coast, prepared using a special method. Brewing Turkish tea requires a unique teapot consisting of two stacked kettles.
The tea ceremony belongs to Eastern culture and originated in China. The Chinese have been the first in the world to regard tea drinking as a way of self-cultivation since at least the Tang Dynasty or even earlier. The "Records of the Feng Family" from the Tang Dynasty mentions: "The tea ceremony is widely practiced, and no noble or official does not drink it." This is the earliest recorded mention of the tea ceremony in existing literature. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, people had already established elaborate customs regarding the environment, etiquette, and procedures for tea drinking, with various conventions and rituals, including court tea banquets, temple tea banquets, and literati tea banquets.
Although tea has a history of 5,000 years, the Turkish people did not truly understand tea until the 19th century. By the end of the 19th century, the people of the eastern Black Sea region began to cultivate tea, process it using primitive methods, and sell it, becoming known worldwide. Turkey also became one of the largest tea markets in the world. Tea is cheaper than coffee, and its simple preparation has led to the rapid spread of tea drinking, making it a favorite beverage among the general public. Today, drinking black tea has become a way of life for the Turkish people and an inseparable part of Turkish culture. Ninety percent of Turks drink tea daily, and one in three brews their own tea.
Types of Tea
In Turkey, tea typically grows in the Black Sea coastal region and the Rize province. In 2004, Turkey produced 205,500 tons of tea (accounting for 6.4% of the world's tea production), making it one of the largest tea markets in the world. Additionally, in 2004, the per capita tea consumption in Turkey was 2.5 kilograms, ranking first in the world, followed by the United Kingdom with 2.1 kilograms per capita. The most commonly consumed tea in Turkey is Rize tea, but Turks also drink various teas such as jasmine tea, lemon tea, and Indian Ceylon tea.
Tea Drinking Customs
Tea drinking also exhibits significant regional differences. In the Tokat region, there must be a certain distance between the rim of the tea cup and the surface of the tea, known as "the space for the lips," which has no specific measurement. If this space is too small or too large, it can become a source of laughter during tea drinking and conversation. In Erzurum and its surrounding areas, when serving tea, it is usually light-colored and weak, and no tea spoon is provided. They have a way of drinking tea "with sugar in the mouth," where sugar cubes are crushed with scissors or by hand and held under the tongue while drinking the tea. Generally, if a guest does not wish to have more tea, they do not need to speak; simply placing the tea spoon on the tea cup suffices.
The Importance of Tea in Turkish Culture
It is precisely because of this beverage, symbolizing friendship and hospitality, that the daily lives of the Turkish people often revolve around the fragrant aroma of tea. Gerald Robbins, a columnist for The Washington Times, describes the significance of Turkish tea in life: In Turkey, everything has its cultural traditions, and those familiar with the bureaucracy know this well. For instance, in the capital Ankara, it is impossible to begin any activity without first offering a cup of Turkish tea served in a traditional Turkish tea glass.
For Turks, tea is as essential as bread. No matter where you go, locals will prepare tea to welcome you before your arrival. Starting with greetings while drinking tea, conversations can range from family matters to political topics, which has become a common scene in Turkish family life. Tea is also a fundamental beverage for Turkish-style breakfasts, and the habit of drinking tea continues from morning until night. When Turks drink tea, they do not think about worldly worries, providing them with a moment of respite in their busy work lives.