Traditional Turkish tea in tulip glass

Turkish Tea

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Iced & Cold Brew Turkish Tea

Turkish Tea is almost always served hot, but you can adapt its strong flavour for refreshing iced tea. Use a gentler ratio than you would for hot çay so the tannins stay smooth when chilled.

Simple hot-brewed iced Turkish Tea:

  1. Brew Turkish Tea a little stronger than usual using your çaydanlık or a regular teapot.
  2. Let it cool slightly, then pour over a glass full of ice.
  3. Add sugar to taste while the tea is still warm, so it dissolves properly.

Cold brew Turkish Tea:

  1. Add 6–8 g of Turkish Tea to 1 litre of cold water.
  2. Refrigerate for 8–10 hours.
  3. Strain and serve over ice with a slice of lemon or orange if you like.

Cold brewing reduces bitterness and gives a smoother, softer version of çay that still tastes distinctly Turkish.

Troubleshooting Turkish Tea

Too Bitter or Astringent

  • Reduce the amount of tea in the top pot.
  • Shorten the time you keep the tea on heat once it has formed a concentrate.
  • Add a splash more hot water when serving to dilute a very strong dem.

Too Weak

  • Increase the tea leaves in the top pot slightly.
  • Allow more time for the concentrate to develop.
  • Pour a higher ratio of dem to water when serving.

Flat or Dull Flavour

  • Use freshly drawn water rather than water that has been boiled multiple times.
  • Check that your tea is fresh and stored in an airtight container.
  • Make sure the tea has had enough time to develop a rich dem before serving.