Have you been invited into a shop and offered a cup of apple tea? I bet you have. A gesture of Turkish hospitality, offering guests or customers a cup of apple tea has been a common practice since it was initially polularized from bustling Turkish Bazaars. Sharing a cup of apple tea or tea means “ we will be friends for 40 years”. Such a great approach of building a friendship!
Apples are one of the main agricultural staples in Turkey. Farmers process naturally surplus apples into slices of dried apples, so- called organic apple tea which are to be brewed for 10-15 minutes. Apple tea served to customers in stores are instant in two forms, granual and powder, made of concentrated apple juice with the latter containing a little bit more added sugar. Both instant and organic apple tea give rich fruity apple aroma and taste, and can be served hot and cold. It tastes excellent alone or with sponge cakes. Personally, I prefer the brewed one at home while watching TV or reading a book. In the summer, cold refreshing apple tea is served as friends and family having a great barbecue time or simply chilling out in our backyard pavilion.
Many anecdotes about apple tea. The funniest one I have ever heard was told in a leather bag shop in Istanbul by the owner who was telling a newly-wed Swedish couple, while trying to sell them a lawyer briefcase, that they should drink lots of apple tea because it worked like aphrodisiac! Of course, it dosen’t but the couple did enjoy the apple tea and, thanks to the convincing owner, bought the briefcase.
Gesture of hospitality “Turkish Apple Tea”
A month has passed since we last joined this private Ephesus tour from Istanbul and yet the sweet and tangy taste of apple tea has stayed with us as those fantastic memories about Turkey have. Thank you!
Stella Hwang, Boston, MA
Turkish Apple Tea - gesture of hospitality,