Turkish Tea Culture: The Heart of Daily Life in Türkiye

Updated: Mar 25

If you spend even a short time in Didim, one thing becomes very clear: tea is everywhere. Whether you’re visiting a neighbour, waiting in a shop, relaxing at a café or finishing a meal, the chances are high that someone will offer you a small glass of steaming Turkish tea – or “çay.”

For visitors and foreign property owners living in Didim, understanding Turkish tea culture offers a wonderful insight into everyday life in Türkiye.

A Nation of Tea Lovers

Türkiye is one of the biggest tea-drinking countries in the world. In fact, it consistently ranks first globally for tea consumption per person, with Turks drinking several kilograms of tea per year on average.

Tea is the most consumed hot drink in the country, even surpassing coffee, which once dominated social life during the Ottoman period.

Today, tea is deeply woven into daily routines:

The day usually starts with tea at breakfast
Tea breaks are common during the working day
Friends meet over tea in cafés and tea gardens
Guests are welcomed with tea in homes and shops

In many ways, tea acts as a social glue, bringing people together throughout the day.

From the Black Sea to Your Glass

Most Turkish tea is grown along the lush Black Sea coast, particularly in the province of Rize, where the climate is perfect for tea cultivation.

Tea farming became a major industry in the early years of the Turkish Republic, and today Türkiye is among the world’s largest tea producers.

The typical Turkish tea is a strong black tea made from leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. When brewed properly, it produces a rich, deep red colour that Turks often call “rabbit’s blood” (tavşan kanı) — the sign of a perfect cup.

The Art of Brewing Turkish Tea

Making proper Turkish tea is something of an art.

Instead of a single teapot, Turks traditionally use a double teapot called a “çaydanlık.” The lower pot boils water while the upper pot contains tea leaves that brew slowly with the steam.

When serving, the strong tea concentrate from the top pot is poured into the glass and diluted with hot water from the bottom pot. This allows everyone to choose their preferred strength:

Koyu – strong tea
Açık – lighter tea

The result is a perfectly balanced cup tailored to each person’s taste.

Why Turkish Tea Is Served in Small Glasses

One of the most recognisable symbols of Turkish tea culture is the small tulip-shaped glass known as the ince belli bardak (“thin-waisted glass”).

These elegant glasses serve several purposes:

They allow you to admire the tea’s deep colour
The narrow waist helps keep the tea hot
The rim stays cool enough to hold

Tea is typically served very hot, often with small cubes of sugar but rarely with milk or lemon.

Tea and Turkish Hospitality

For many foreigners living in Türkiye, the most memorable part of tea culture is the hospitality surrounding it.

Offering tea is a sign of friendship, respect and welcome. In fact, you might be surprised how often it appears:

A shopkeeper may offer tea while you browse
Estate agents or service providers will offer tea during meetings
Neighbours may invite you in for tea and conversation
Even government offices sometimes serve tea to visitors

In Turkish culture, sharing tea is less about the drink itself and more about taking time to connect with others.

Tea Gardens and Social Life

Across Türkiye you will find tea houses and tea gardens where people gather to relax, talk and play games like backgammon.

These places are an essential part of community life, especially in smaller towns and coastal areas like Didim. On warm evenings you will often see locals sitting together for hours with a tray of tea glasses, enjoying conversation and the sea breeze.

A Tradition Recognised by UNESCO

The cultural importance of tea in Türkiye is so significant that in 2022 the traditional culture of tea in Türkiye and Azerbaijan was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

This recognition highlights how tea represents:

hospitality
social interaction
cultural identity

— values that are central to everyday life in the country.

Experiencing Tea Culture in Didim

If you live in Didim or visit regularly, you will quickly discover that tea is part of almost every interaction.

Got an idea for a blog post or specific information relating to life in Türkiye or in Didim you'd like us to cover? Contact us via email at laurabower@realtyworld.com.tr