Çaykur Altınbaş Black Tea – 500 g

Some teas are for gulping down between meetings. Altınbaş tea is for slowing down. This 500g pack from Çaykur is one of the brand's more refined blends, known for a bright, clear colour in the glass and a smooth, rounded flavour that many Turkish households save for guests and long weekend breakfasts.

A Premium Blend From Rize

The name translates loosely as golden head, a nod to the quality of the leaves and the warm amber colour of the brew. Like all Çaykur tea, it comes from the misty hillsides of Rize and the wider eastern Black Sea region, where tea bushes grow on steep slopes that catch plenty of rain and cool sea air. The leaves are picked, withered, rolled and dried in Çaykur's own factories, then carefully blended to give a consistent taste from pack to pack.

Compared with everyday blends, Altınbaş tea is gentler and more aromatic. It still brews strong enough for the Turkish style, yet it finishes cleanly without harsh bitterness, which makes it easy to drink glass after glass.

Why Loose Leaf?

Turkish tea is almost always brewed from loose leaf black tea rather than bags. Loose leaves have more room to unfurl in the pot, releasing their full flavour slowly over a longer brew. That suits the Turkish method perfectly, where tea is kept warm on the stove and poured fresh whenever someone wants a glass. It also means you can adjust the strength easily, from deep and dark to light and golden.

Brewing Altınbaş Tea

Use a two-tier Turkish teapot if you have one. Boil water in the lower kettle, add roughly one tablespoon of leaves per person to the upper pot and let them steam for a few minutes. Then fill the top pot with boiling water and leave it on a gentle heat for 10 to 15 minutes. Pour a little of the strong brew into a tulip glass and top up with hot water to the colour you like.

Serving Tips

• Serve without milk, with sugar cubes on the side.
• Offer a slice of lemon for anyone who likes a brighter taste.
• Pair with simit, white cheese and olives at breakfast, or baklava in the afternoon.
• Keep the pot warm so guests can enjoy a fresh glass whenever they like.

Bringing Turkish Tea Culture Home

Tea sits at the centre of Turkish social life. It is offered the moment you sit down in a shop, served endlessly at family gatherings and poured for neighbours who drop by unannounced. A good blend in the cupboard means you are always ready to welcome someone in the same way.

Storage

Keep the tea in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from light, moisture and strong smells such as spices or coffee. This helps preserve its aroma for longer.

Turkish Tea Delivered Across the UK

Finding a reliable source of Turkish tea UK households can count on is simple with Robin Food. We deliver across the country, with same-day delivery available in many London areas. If you like a stronger brew, try our Çaykur Tiryaki, and for a cosy evening alternative, our winter tea herbal blend is worth a try.