Drinking Çay Here, There and Everywhere

Strolling the bustling streets of İstanbul, it's common to see a young man hurrying through the crowd with a silver tray, handing out small tulip-shaped glasses of black tea. The aromatic drink is traditionally not drunk with milk or lemon, but only with sugar cubes, which makes it a very sweet drink.

Shopkeepers often offer Turkish tea to their customers as the epitome of friendship and hospitality. Tourists strolling through the shops need only say "yes" when they are offered the tea, and they get a glimpse of one of Türkiye's strong traditions.

Turkish tea is a way of life. It is an authentic drink enjoyed at home, at work, and even in Turkish markets where it is used to attract customers and close deals. As the Turks say, "A conversation without a cup of tea is like a night sky without the moon". This embodies the feeling, essence, and mood of the Turks that comes with tea.