Turkish Tea (Çay)

Turkish tea is deeply rooted in the social fabric of Turkey and is typically served in small tulip-shaped glasses on characteristic red-and-white patterned saucers, such as the one depicted in the image. The tea leaves are predominantly grown in the Rize province along the eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey. This region's humid climate and steep hillsides provide the ideal environment for high-quality black tea production.

Historically, tea culture in Turkey blossomed in the 20th century as a local alternative to coffee. The brand identity of Turkish tea is synonymous with the nation itself, though several large companies like Çaykur, a state-owned enterprise founded in 1947, dominate the market. Ownership of these tea products remains heavily concentrated in Turkey, reflecting its status as the world's highest per-capita consumer of tea.