In Turkey, tea is more than just a drink; it’s an essential part of hospitality, conversation, taking a break, and everyday life. From breakfast in the morning to chats in the evening, from shopkeepers’ stores to home visits, tea brewed in tulip-shaped glasses is like a universal language. At the heart of this culture is the Black Sea region, and especially ÇAYKUR.

What is Turkish Tea?

Turkish tea is derived from the Camellia sinensis plant and is categorized as fully oxidized (black tea). However, there are key characteristics that distinguish it from other black teas around the world:

• Rich aroma yet a smooth taste

• Low tannin bitterness

• Structure suitable for prolonged steeping

• Served hot and clear in tulip-shaped glasses

Turkey ranks among the top in tea consumption per capita in the world. This isn't just out of habit; it’s due to the role tea plays in social life.

Tea grown in Turkey is considered very clean, even by global standards, due to the highly limited use of pesticides. This makes Turkish tea both reliable and natural.

ÇAYKUR: More Than Just a Brand

ÇAYKUR (General Directorate of Tea Enterprises) is the institutional memory of Turkish tea. Established in 1983, today ÇAYKUR is a strategic institution that:

• Works with hundreds of thousands of producers

• Processes fresh tea in dozens of factories

• Supports local production

• Plays a decisive role in Turkey’s tea policies

The major distinction of ÇAYKUR is its use of entirely domestically-grown fresh tea and its monitoring of the production process. In this regard, it is not just a commercial brand but also a guarantor of agricultural sustainability.

The Character of ÇAYKUR Teas

ÇAYKUR products are generally defined by the following characteristics:

• Natural aroma (no additives or artificial flavors)

• Balanced color and brew

• Structure that resists going stale for a long time

• Smooth taste suitable for daily consumption

Tea and Social Life

In Turkey, tea is:

• An offering to guests

• A reason for discussion among tradespeople

• A unifying factor within families

• A break reason on the road

A cup of tea is often the simplest way of saying “come, sit, let’s talk.”

Conclusion: Culture in a Cup

Turkish tea, especially in its association with ÇAYKUR, is the product of a labor-intense tradition extending from the soil to the cup. It does not conform to fast consumption trends or transient fashions. It is fitting of time, conversation, and simplicity.

Perhaps this is why Turkish tea is sipped patiently, brewed carefully.

Because some things can’t be rushed; like tea, like life…

With this understanding, as a company, we consciously steer clear of cheap, imported teas that brew quickly and choose ÇAYKUR Altınbaş, which carries the labor of these lands.

Enjoy.