Black Turkish Tea – Tea Glass Recipe
A traditional Turkish black tea served in an iconic tulip-shaped glass.
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Ingredients
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Tea
To Serve
Method
Prepare Tea
- 1
Boil water
Fill a kettle with at least 480 ml total water (the recipe uses two equal portions). Bring water to a vigorous boil.
- 2
Warm teapot or çaydanlık (optional)
Pour a small amount of the boiling water into the teapot or upper chamber of a çaydanlık and swirl to warm the vessel; discard or use the warming water for the next boil. This step helps maintain brewing temperature.
- 3
- 4
Brew concentrated tea
Pour 240 ml of the just-boiled water directly over the 2 tsp of loose tea. Cover the teapot with a lid and let steep for 8 minutes to produce a strong, full-bodied brew.
- 5
Prepare serving water
While the tea steeps, pour the remaining 240 ml of boiling water into a separate small container (or keep in the lower chamber of the çaydanlık). This hot water will be used to dilute the concentrated brew to taste in the glass.
Serve
- 6
Warm the glass
Pour a little of the hot serving water into the tulip glass, swirl to warm it, and discard the warming water. Warming the glass keeps the tea hot longer and is traditional.
- 7
Combine tea and hot water
Pour approximately 60–120 ml of the concentrated brewed tea into the warmed tulip glass (about one-quarter to one-half of the glass) depending on desired strength. Then top up with 60–120 ml of the reserved hot water to reach about 180–240 ml total in the glass. Adjust the ratio: more concentrate for stronger flavor, more water for milder tea.
- 8
Sweeten (optional)
If desired, add granulated sugar to taste (start with 1 tsp) and stir gently with a small spoon. Traditional Turkish tea can be served unsweetened, slightly sweet, or very sweet depending on preference.
- 9
Presentation
Place the tulip-shaped glass on a small saucer (çay tabağı) and serve immediately while hot. Enjoy sips slowly to appreciate aroma and flavor.