Turkish Tea and Coffee

The tea and coffee of Turkey play a pivotal role in the culinary scene and culture of Turkey. Turkey has a long standing history with coffee. However, when the expenses of imported coffee increased during the World Wars in the early 20th century, Turkish people turned to tea as their beverage of choice. Turkish culture plays by a few simple rules when it come to tea and coffee consumption.

1. Turkish Tea

The tea, or çay, of Turkey is grown in the eastern part of Turkey by the Black Sea Coast in the Rize Province. It is cultivated and processed as black tea.

The tea is served in small curved glasses resembling tulips, on a saucer. Be sure to hold the glass by the rim so as to avoid burning your fingers. The tea is brewed in a teapot atop a samovar filled with boiling water. First, the brewed tea is poured into the small glass to about halfway and the rest of the glass is topped off with the hot water of the samovar. Because of this system, you can easily control how strong the tea will be. If you aren’t in control of making the tea but want it lighter, just ask for it to be açık.

In and around Fethiye you can find quality tea almost anywhere. You could grab a glass at one of the many cafes and restaurants along the seaside or any of the many little shops in the city center. Fethiye has no shortage of delicious tea awaiting you.

2. Turkish Coffee

While tea can be enjoyed at any time, during a meal, during a game of tavla, or relaxing by the sea, Turkish coffee comes with a few more rules.

Turkish coffee is prepared in a metal instrument called a cezve. The grounds and water are placed together in the cezve and all are brought to a boil, then served in a cup the same size as an espresso. You can have your coffee sugared in four different ways: sade (plain), as şeker (a little sugar), orta (medium sugar), and şekerli (a lot of sugar). The sugar is added while the coffee is being made, never afterwards.

Where tea can be enjoyed at any time, coffee is served at more specific times. Coffee is served after the meal and never with another drink, or just anytime outside of a meal. Turkish Coffee is always served with water and Turkish delight or little cookies.

Though the grounds that remain in the bottom of the cup are never drunk, some people enjoy reading their future in the grounds after tipping them onto the saucer. Perhaps, if you’re lucky enough, someone can read your coffee grounds to reveal your future!

3. Turkish Tea Time

Tea time generally happens in between lunch and dinner. If you are staying at a hotel, this will most likely take place at your facilities as a complimentary service for all guests. Usually it is self-serve tea, coffee and cookies, both salty and sweet. This serves as a nice social time and little snack between lunch and dinner.