Turkish tea is one of the purest teas in the world and no pesticides are used in its cultivation. Turkey’s love for tea is strong. People all over the country love their cup of tea or tulip tea and this drink is ubiquitous in cafes, restaurants and homes.
Tea is the second most widely consumed beverage in the world after water.
Its origins can be traced back to China, where it has been known since ancient times, with various myths explaining its discovery.
The tea plant is native to a region including upper Burma, southeast China, and central Vietnam. Historical records of tea drinking in the west date back to an Arab travelogue, while Marco Polo and other travelers also mentioned tea. By the 6th century, tea drinking had become widespread in China, eventually becoming the national drink by the 10th century.
Tea culture reached a highly advanced level in Japan, where tea ceremonies and rituals became sacred. The Europeans were introduced to tea in the early 17th century, with Holland being the first to import it, followed by France, Russia, and England.
The Puritanical leaders in England were initially opposed to tea and teahouses, claiming they were detrimental to Christianity. However, the ban was eventually lifted. The Ottoman Empire also received tea from China via the Silk Route, and records of tea can be found in travelogues and customs records.
In Turkey, serious attempts at tea production began in the late 1930s, with the founding of the Turkish Republic, and today Turkey is third in per capita tea consumption, behind Northern Ireland and England. Tea has become an integral part of Turkish culture and folklore, even being mentioned in their folk songs, legends, riddles, sayings, poetry, and stories.
