When in Turkey, there will be tea. Everywhere. "Gel, cay," is a phrase you will hear often. Come drink tea. Turkish Tea: The Drink of Turkish Life.
Meals, meetings, conversations all begin with tea.
While Turkish Kahve (coffee) receives all the attention, it is Tea that transcends everyday life in this country that spans two continents.
Served scorching hot, tea is poured into the traditional, flute-shaped glass - Ince Belli - which literally means 'slim-waisted.' One is to pick up their tea with two fingers by the edge of the glass. Attempting to grasp the sides will likely result in a trip to the Emergency Room.
Frequently nestled into a petite serving dish in restaurants, Turkish Tea is as elegant as it is delicious!
Rize Tea is the traditional and most popular tea consumed in Turkey. It is produced in the Black Sea region. Many other varietals of Turkish exist as evidenced by this display in one of Istanbul's bazarrs.
Research states that Turks drink an average of four glasses of tea each day. I'd suggest that this number is on the low side given my most recent experience there.
A particular treat is Apple Tea! I enjoyed this beverage while smoking Hookah in one of the innumerous side street stalls throughout Istanbul, Turkey. Made with cut-up apples and skins, it is as sweet as it is boiling hot! Some add cinnamon or clove to this delectable drink, but it really requires no supporting cast.
A common sight is vendors delivering tea virtually everywhere to thirsty patrons, with hot tea resting on trays supported by three arms. These trays are surprisingly stable, allowing the tea to be served hot and fresh virtually anywhere at any time. Waiters scamper out of shop doors into the street to deliver tea everywhere in the surrounding area.
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I certainly enjoy tea daily, but the Turks have raised tea drinking beyond simple hydration. It's a cultural phenomenon; a center point of their daily interaction with each other and their culture.
I did not see anyone add milk or cream to their tea, although many use sugar. In fact, you'll be asked if you want your tea sweet, moderately sweet, or without sugar. No matter how you take it, though, you will have tea!
Cheers!
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