Turkish Tea in Istanbul

Turkish tea, known as "çay" (pronounced CHAH-yee), is an integral part of Turkish culture. People often sip tea in small tulip-shaped glasses at homes, workplaces, and street corners. Tea can also be tasted in tea gardens, cafes, restaurants, or small vendor stalls in any of the markets. Prices can range from about 5-15 TL per glass, depending on the location and establishment.

Turkish tea is a hot drink brewed from leaves grown on the steep, verdant mountain slopes of Turkey's eastern Black Sea coast. While Turkish coffee might hold international fame, it's Turkish tea that fuels the daily life of Istanbulites. Tea is not just a drink but a social glue, a symbol of hospitality and friendship. In shops and bazaars, it's customary for shopkeepers to offer tea to customers as a gesture of goodwill and to foster conversations.

Turkish tea is traditionally brewed samovar-style, with a small pot of very strong tea kept hot atop a larger vessel of boiling water. To serve, a small amount of this strong tea is poured into a tulip-shaped glass and then diluted to the desired strength with hot water. Turks usually add cube sugar to their tea, but never milk or lemon.

Types of Tea:
Açık (ah-CHUK): Means "open" or weak tea.
Koyu (koh-YOO): Means dark or strong tea.
Duble Çay (DOOB-leh): A double tea served in a water glass for those wanting more volume.