Tea Talk
Tea. The small, simple, warm comfort that helps bring joy, peace and soothes the soul. Tea drinking is an integral part of our daily lives and it can be hard to imagine that actually during the early 16th century it was classed as a luxury item that only the rich could afford. But in the late 18th century England, the cost of tea began to fall enabling middle-class society affordability for it. When people drank tea, they were expected to possess certain manners and behave in a particular way. Soon, drinking tea became a domestic ritual among families, colleagues, and friends who were just wealthy enough to afford it, which also increased demand. The association between tea and respectability became so ingrained in both British and Irish culture that it reached a point where it could not go out of fashion•. Hence why you're still able to cradle that steaming cup right now!
The Ottomans were introduced to tea, the most important beverage in Turkish daily life, about 140 years ago.
In the Ottoman era, tea leaves had been found since the 16th century. However, tea was initially used by a very few people and mostly in perfumeries. After the declaration of Tanzimat in 1839, tea gradually began to appear on breakfast tables. Tea agriculture began during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II when modernization began in every field and an effort was made to shift agriculture to the European style. Tea was first grown in Turkey by farmers in the northeastern city of Artvin in the late 1870s. According to Kuzucu's research, tea plantations were successful in Hopa and Arhavi in 1878. Tea became more available after Turks who went to Russia for work, planted seedlings they had brought with themselves. As soon as growing tea became a profitable business, the state levied a tax on tea. As farmers complained about the new tax, the governor of Trabzon, Yusuf Ziya Pasha, joined their call and said that tea production was to be encouraged not levied. The taxes were eventually abolished upon the governor's call*.
1st "Istanbul Tea House" opened in 1554 during Suleiman the Magnificent era in Ottoman Empire.
I have found that both England and Turkey share a great passion for tea drinking and it is something that can bring two cultures together, spread calmness and is a token of friendship and hospitality. In our household we seem to actually drink more 'sutlu cay' (milky tea) than Turkish tea, I prefer a sweeter tea with milk and it prevents heartburn for my husband. But on some occasions, there are days where we both look at each other, nod, and say, Cay! Turkish tea goes well especially after eating a heavy red meat dish. I also found a love for 'Ilhamur Cay' (Linden tea) made from the leaves of a Linden tree. This herbal tea is my second favourite after Ceylon tea, it has a lovely fresh taste that leaves me feeling relaxed and lifting my mood.
So, which is your favourite? Turkish tea, English tea with milk or herbal teas?
Lucy Caglar
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_in_the_United_Kingdom#:~:text=Because%20tea%20began%20in%20Britain,as%20a%20high%2Dclass%20commodity.&text=Because%20the%20British%20East%20India,coffee%2C%20chocolate%2C%20and%20alcohol.
**https://www.dailysabah.com/feature/2018/05/03/tea-turkeys-favorite-beverage-came-to-anatolia-just-140-years-ago
***https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/01/map-the-countries-that-drink-the-most-tea/283231/
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