Turkish Tea Culture: Why You'll Be Offered 10 Cups a Day

From Street Vendors to Home Rituals—How Çay Became Turkey’s Favorite Drink

1. Tea is Everywhere in Turkey

• You’ll see people drinking tea:

  • At shops (even while buying socks!)

  • On ferries crossing the Bosphorus

  • While getting a haircut

  • At bus stations while waiting

    
    

• The small tulip-shaped glasses are designed to keep the tea hot but drinkable fast

  
  

Fun Fact: Turkey drinks the most tea per person in the world—about 3.5 kilos per year!

2. How Turkish Tea is Different

• Made with two stacked kettles (çaydanlık):

  • Bottom kettle = boiling water

  • Top kettle = strong tea brew

    
    

• Served dark ("koyu") or light ("açık")

• Always no milk (unlike British tea)

• Usually comes with 1-2 sugar cubes (not mixed in)

3. When & Why Turks Drink Tea

• Morning: Wakes you up better than coffee

• After meals: Helps digestion

• At work: Offered to customers as hospitality

• All day long: Just because!

  
  

Local Tip: If someone offers you tea, it’s polite to accept—saying no can seem unfriendly.

4. Tea’s Special Role in Turkish Culture

• Friendship: "Let’s have tea" = "Let’s chat"

• Business: Many deals start with tea

• Romance: Young couples meet at çay bahçesi (tea gardens)

• Politics: Even government meetings have tea breaks

  
  

Fun Story: Some tea gardens in Istanbul have been serving çay in the same spot for over 100 years!

5. Where to Experience Real Turkish Tea Culture

• Çınaraltı Tea Garden (Bebek): Under a giant tree by the water

• Pierre Loti Café (Eyüp): Amazing views with your çay

• Any local "çay ocağı": Small street tea stands

  
  

What to order: "Bir çay, lütfen" ("One tea, please")

Conclusion: More Than Just a Drink

Turkish tea isn’t just about caffeine—it’s about taking time to talk, relax, and enjoy life. After a few days in Istanbul, you’ll miss those little glasses when you go home!

Want to try making it yourself? Here’s the easy way:

1. Boil water in the bottom kettle

2. Put 2 spoons of tea in the top kettle

3. Stack them and wait 15 minutes

4. Fill glass 1/3 with tea, then 2/3 hot water

Next time you're in Istanbul, let's share a cup (or three!) while I show you the real city behind the postcards. Contact us to arrange your personalized tour!