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Have you ever thought of the significance of tea? The simplest pleasure we enjoy all day long as Turks or expats living in Turkey. The stimulant that opens our eyes to start the day fresh. The soothing drink that accompanies us while chatting with friends. Turkish tea is different than 5 o’clock tea in England or elaborate tea ceremony in Japan. It is less complicated pretty straight forward. This simple nature of tea reflects the Turkish way of life according to the American author Katherine Branning. During the presentation of her book, “Yes, I Would Love Another Glass of Tea,” Branning explains how Turkish tea is drunk:
‘You drink it in a tea glass, put 1 or 2 cubes of sugar depending on your taste and make noise when stirring with teaspoon. You hold it by the edge because it is super hot. You don’t drink just one glass but at least 2 or 3.’ She adds, for those who might be mistaken about how to prepare tea a la turca, ‘always brew it, never make it with tea bags.’
Besides practical information on Turkish tea, Branning explains that tea symbolizes the Turkish character. Turkish tea is served ruby red, which is the color of the Turkish flag, spirit of patriotic Turks’ blood, dominant color in colorful carpets and beautiful tulips that adorn many parks during the springtime. Amazingly, the form of these tulips is the very shape of the tea glasses. Branning continues with her symbolism, Turkish tea is hot like the sun that heats the Anatolian plains, like the cheerful folkloric dances of the Anatolian people, like the passion and joy of life of Turks towards their family, food and sports teams. Drinking tea is like a national symphony: the sound of stirring spoons resonates from homes, shops, teahouses, cafes, restaurants and offices. Turkish tea is clear as the face of a Turk, easily readable. Turkish tea is pure as the heart of a Turk. Turkish tea is friendly as it is never drunk alone. If a Turk offers you tea, it means that he wants to get to know you better. Turkish tea is democratic like the basis of the government that the Turks built 88 years ago with the leadership of Ataturk. Turkish tea is peaceful as it promotes love, respect and friendship.
Branning’s interpretation of Turkish tea is beyond a simple drink but an identity engrained in the Turkish soul almost like the national anthem. Besides being a tea lover, Branning says she chose to write a book on Turkish tea because she wanted to show her American friends that a Muslim country, Turkey, can be reasoned, intelligent and peaceful. As the great poet Rumi of 13th century once invited everyone regardless of faith, race or nationality to come to his shrine, Branning invites Americans to come and say yes to a cup of tea. In other words, she urges these two countries to have dialogue in order to resolve conflicts in the Middle East.
Ela Erozan Gürsel writes a weekly column named “Değişim Yelpazesi ” on global business trends for Dünya Gazetesi on behalf of Datassist for almost two years. Her feature topics include: green energy; climate change; impacts of financial crisis on companies, sectors and regions; innovative technologies in sciences, human resources and management; social networks transforming business and politics; changing dynamics of marketing and branding.
She also writes articles for international magazines published in Singapore.
Prior to her writing career, she worked at Datassist as a Project Manager in a project that combines human resources and mobile communications with the aim to connect blue-collar workers and employers through mobile phones. Before engaging in this exciting project, she was in pharmaceutical sales working for a multinational company. She graduated from American University, Washington, DC, majoring in International Studies with a concentration on International Business and Europe. She worked in Washington D.C. as an Account Manager at a boutique telemarketing firm that specializes in fund raising and publication renewals. She speaks Turkish, English, French, and Spanish. She currently resides in Singapore with her husband.
