Have you ever heard of çay? That’s the Turkish word for tea—and it’s pronounced just like “chai”! In the Black Sea region of Türkiye, drinking çay is a big part of everyday life. People drink it in the morning, after meals, when guests come over or even just while chatting with friends. It’s served hot in small, tulip-shaped glasses, without milk, and sometimes with a sugar cube or two. The Black Sea area, especially a city called Rize, is where most of Türkiye’s tea is grown. The green hills are covered in tea plants, and families often have tea gardens or favorite places to sit and enjoy a fresh glass of çay. Sharing tea is one of the most important ways people show hospitality and friendship in this part of the world.
I learned about the tradition of drinking çay (tea) every day in the Black Sea region. People there drink çay many times throughout the day — in the morning to start their day, after meals to help with digestion, during work breaks to relax and in the evening while spending time with family or friends.
