Beanji in Turkey: Tea, Talk, and Tulips

 

Beanji in Turkey: Tea, Talk, and Tulips

When Beanji arrived in Turkey, he expected baklava. What he didn’t expect was how deeply tea — or çay — flowed through every corner of life. From the bustling bazaars of Istanbul to the tea-covered hills of Rize, Beanji quickly learned: in Turkey, you’re never alone with a glass of çay.

🕌 Stop #1: Istanbul — Street Tea & Simit Rings

Beanji’s first encounter came in Istanbul. As he wandered through the Grand Bazaar, a shopkeeper waved him in — not to sell, but to share. A small, tulip-shaped glass of black tea arrived, hot and deep red. No milk. Just sugar cubes and warm conversation. “This,” the shopkeeper said, “is our welcome.”

🌿 Stop #2: Rize — Where Tea Grows Wild

Curious where this magical tea came from, Beanji hopped a train east to Rize, Turkey’s lush tea capital along the Black Sea. There, he hiked through endless green hills covered in tea shrubs. Locals plucked leaves by hand. Beanji even helped — sort of (he mostly just got in the way and drank the tea).

🫖 Stop #3: Çaydanlık & Ritual

Beanji was fascinated by the çaydanlık — a two-tiered teapot used to brew Turkish tea just right. Strong tea on top, hot water on the bottom. You mix them to your liking. It’s not just about caffeine, it’s about craft. And Beanji, for once, slowed down to appreciate it.

🐼 Beanji’s Sip Wisdom

Tea in Turkey isn’t a solo experience. It’s a bond. A pause. A chance to talk, even if you don’t speak the same language. With every glass, Beanji made a friend.

🌍 Explore More:

→ Read more tea tales at teaandcoffeoftheworld.blogspot.com
→ Take Turkish tea home at teaandcoffeeworld.myshopify.com